“What’s up, Doc?”
Recently, my daughter and I were watching a classic Looney Tunes show when Bugs Bunny said this while munching on a carrot. My daughter, a self-proclaimed 9-year-old comedian, gave her beloved Corgi a carrot and asked, “What’s up, dog?” In a moment of dog-mom panic, I thought, “Can dogs eat carrots?”
Although we treat our dogs like part of the family, there are just certain foods we need to avoid giving our fur children. The good news is dogs can eat carrots. Many dog foods and treats contain carrots, an excellent low-calorie snack high in fiber and beta-carotene, which produces vitamin A.
Additionally, crunching on this orange veggie is great for your dog’s dental health. The bad news is little Corgi dog, Bo, was not interested in this healthy snack. He was looking for popcorn or steak or something a little tastier. Can dogs eat carrots and popcorn? Let’s find out together.
Vitalize® Wants to Answer Your Questions
The Vitalize® Team is comprised of dog lovers. We have Corgis, Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, English Sheepdogs, Great Danes, and everything in between. We breed dogs for companionship. Overall, our goals are the same as yours—keep them healthy and happy—and if that means a little human treat once in a while, so be it.
But we mainly want them to be safe. That’s why, after I asked if dogs can eat carrots, I also wondered what other healthy human foods they can and cannot eat.
Of course, dog nutrition is key to the Vitalize Team. We focus on nutrition because we know that good nutrition influences every facet of your dog’s life: overall health and well-being, coat and skin health, dental health, and general attitude. At Vitalize, we make supplements for horses, dogs, and cats with proven solutions to keep your animal healthy and performing.
Vitalize is powered by two proprietary ingredients: AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility, and MHB3®, a patented high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. With Amaferm improving digestibility, we know that your dog will be healthier, as 70% of the immune response is found in the digestive system. Further canine studies show that dogs that have been fed Amaferm experience fewer stillbirths, produce larger litters, and wean more puppies.
So, can dogs eat carrots? Yes! What can’t they eat? Better question.
Which Human Foods Dogs Should Avoid?
We all know there are particular foods that we should never feed our beloved dogs. Here’s a list of common foods that dogs should never have.
Chocolate
You’ve likely heard to keep your dog away from chocolate. Most of us don’t understand how something so delicious can be so bad, but chocolate definitely needs to be avoided. Chocolate contains toxic substances called methylxanthines, which are stimulants that stop a dog’s metabolic process.
Even just a little bit of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can cause diarrhea and vomiting. A large amount can cause seizures, irregular heart function, and ultimately death. It’s best to keep all chocolate out of dogs’ access.
If you think your dog ate more than just a morsel or bite of chocolate, you probably should consult your veterinarian.
Garlic, Onions
On the opposite end of the sweet and delicious spectrum, we have the bitter taste of garlic, onions, leeks, and chives—all members of the Allium family. Garlic can cause anemia in dogs, causing side effects such as pale gums, elevated heart rate, weakness, and collapse.
Regardless of the form of these plants – fresh, cooked, powdered, or fried – onions and garlic not only leave a bad taste in your dog’s mouth, but they can do great harm. A very small amount is likely not toxic, but it will cause stomach upset or nausea.
However, poisoning from the Allium family could have delayed symptoms. So, if you think there is any possibility your dog might have been eating garlic or onions, monitor it for a few days, not just right after consumption.
Grapes, Raisins
Grapes and raisins, their shriveled-up cousin, are very toxic to dogs. Sadly, even eating just one grape or raisin can be fatal. Consuming this kid-favorite fruit could potentially lead to sudden kidney failure in dogs.
Teaching your kiddos not to share their grapes or raisins with the dogs is so important. If one grape or raisin is shared, try to induce vomiting or contact your veterinarian.
Mushrooms
There are literally thousands of species of wild mushrooms, yet just a small percentage are toxic to dogs. Since we are not fully sure which varieties are safe and which are poisonous, it is best to play it safe.
While preventing your dog from eating a mushroom is impossible, you can try your best to keep your dog away from wild mushroom grazing. It is also recommended to avoid feeding store-purchased and washed mushrooms to your fur child.
Cherries
Although your dog might be attracted to the sweet smell or flavor of a cherry, most parts of the cherry can be harmful to your pup. Cherry stems, leaves, and pits contain cyanide, a potentially deadly substance if ingested in large enough quantities. Cyanide kills tissues by making it difficult for them to use oxygen.
Although the fleshy part of the cherry around the pit does not contain cyanide, we don’t recommend cherries at all. Due to their size and shape, cherries are a choking hazard. They can get caught in your dog’s airway, so try to avoid feeding them to your dog.
Sugar-free Candy & Gum
Sure, as humans, we try to avoid sugar. However, sugar-free treats often contain Xylitol, a sugar substitute. Although safe for humans, Xylitol can have deadly consequences for your dog. When dogs eat something containing xylitol, this sugar substitute is more rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in a potent release of insulin from the pancreas.
Xylitol initiates the release of insulin, and in dogs, the release is rapid. This creates a significant decrease in the level of blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can occur within 10 to 60 minutes of eating the xylitol. Untreated, this hypoglycemia can quickly turn life-threatening.
Xylitol poisoning is fairly common with sugar-free gum and candy—think about a dog snooping around in a purse or book bag. Xylitol is also used in toothpaste. Also, use caution when feeding your dog peanut butter to avoid the sugar-free kind, as some of it contains xylitol. Finally, it can be found in baked goods where the baker is using a sugar substitute.
What Happens if they get One of these Foods?
We understand that mistakes happen. That is why staying aware of your surroundings, trash can, and what your pet ingests is important. It is also vitally important to have an established relationship with your veterinarian.
A veterinarian-client relationship is critical across all species but especially important with companion animals. Ensure that your pet is examined annually and keep current on any necessary vaccinations. If you take a healthy pet to the veterinarian, then it should not feel as afraid or threatened when you take it to the vet when it doesn’t feel its best.
If your dog comes into contact with any toxic food or poison, contact your veterinarian immediately. We also suggest keeping the Pet Poison Helpline as a resource. Although this service does cost, having 24/7 telephone access to a trained professional could save your pet’s life.
Can Dogs Eat Carrots and Peas?
Who doesn’t like a good mixture of carrots and peas? According to Forrest Gump, it’s a great combination. Can dogs eat carrots or peas? The short answer is yes. Dogs can indeed eat lots of different varieties of veggies. Peas, in particular, are rich in protein and high in fiber.
Additionally, they contain several vitamins and minerals. If you are inclined to feed your dog peas, stick with the fresh or frozen varieties, as the canned peas are loaded with added sodium.
What are Some Other Human Foods I Can Give Bo?
As I mentioned, Bo was not especially interested in carrots. I doubt he wants peas, either. Here are three human foods we commonly eat in our household that are safe for dogs.
1. Popcorn
Like everything, moderation is key when giving your pup some popcorn. Popcorn contains riboflavin and thiamine, which promote eye health and digestion. It also contains small amounts of iron and protein. Unsalted, unbuttered, air-popped popcorn is the recommendation, and be sure the kernels are fully popped. Unpopped kernels could cause unwanted choking.
2. Cheese
As long as your dog is not lactose-intolerant, cheese is a great snack for dogs. And most dogs will love a little cheese. Once again, due to the fat content of cheese, be sure to treat it in moderation. Lower-fat varieties like mozzarella or cottage cheese also make good snacks. Some doggie parents will even slip their dog vitamins into a cup of cottage cheese if the dog doesn’t like to take pills to disguise them.
3. Peanuts & Cashews
Who doesn’t love a crunchy snack? Dogs will likely enjoy a few peanuts and cashews while you are enjoying yours. Once again, moderation is key due to the fat content, and try to avoid the salted varieties. Too much salt for your canine companion is hard to process. Peanuts and cashews contain good fats and protein, while cashews are also packed with calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants.
Vitalize® Completes Your Dog Nutrition
So, can dogs eat carrots? Yes! And we can treat our fur babies to other human snacks, too. However, we want to ensure they get the canine nutrition they require and deserve.
Be sure that along with the carrots, peas and popcorn, you invest in nutritional supplements from Vitalize. Vitalize is a line of supplements for horses, dogs, and cats with proven solutions to keep your animal healthy and performing.
Here is a rundown of the products Vitalize offers.
Vitalize® Dog
Vitalize® Dog is a granular vitamin and mineral supplement for dogs designed to support breeding and performance. It contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility, omegas for healthy skin and hair, and a high-quality blend of vitamins and minerals for daily support of any diet.
Vitalize® Alimend® K9
Vitalize Alimend K9 is a liquid product for dogs designed to support gastric health and GI tissue and which may relieve occasional gastric issues. In addition to Amaferm, it contains MHB3®, a patented high molecular weight hyaluronic acid that coats the stomach and supports GI tissue integrity. It also contains beta-glucans to support the gut and immune system.
Vitalize® Dog Gel
Vitalize Dog Gel is a prebiotic and nutrient-rich gel for dogs. It immediately supports the digestive and immune systems. It contains Amaferm and MOS to help normalize gut microflora and the immune system. The gel works fast to support appetite and hydration.
Vitalize® Trixsyn® Canine
Vitalize Trixsyn Canine is a liquid product for dogs. It uses hyaluronic acid to support joint health. All Trixsyn products feature MHB3®, a patented high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. This ingredient supports hip and joint health and boosts mobility.
Vitalize® Trixsyn® Canine Performance
Vitalize Trixsyn Canine Performance is a liquid product for dogs that supports total mobility utilizing hyaluronic acid. It supports hip, joint, and soft tissue health. The performance formula helps maintain a normal inflammatory response and supports normal exercise recovery.
The ingredients feature MHB3 and astaxanthin, a natural red algae-derived antioxidant. Astaxanthin assists with soft tissue health, muscular recuperation, and exercise recovery.
The Final Word
We hope you have found this blog useful. Yes, we want to share our snacks with our fur children, but not all human food is meant to be eaten by dogs. If you aren’t sure, ask, can dogs eat carrots? The answer may amaze you!
Always consult a veterinarian. Your animal doctor knows what’s best for your dog. Listen to him or her, and make sure to have your dog examined annually. That is the best way to build a veterinary-client relationship with your dog and the vet. That also helps with dog anxiety, and the dog won’t think going to the vet has to be just for troubleshooting or sickness.
Read and follow labels. We cannot emphasize this enough. Even on our Vitalize products, we put labels there for a reason, and if you don’t read them, your dog might not be getting the best nutrition possible, regardless of how good the nutrients are in the bag.
Monitor your dog’s health. Just because he or she licks the bowl clean every time, doesn’t necessarily mean that food is the best option. Can dogs eat carrots? Yes! But your pup may have allergies or digestive issues that complicate otherwise safe foods. Does your dog have bright eyes, a shiny coat and seem happy and active? Those are good signs. If those change, take note and consult your veterinarian ASAP!
Get your Vitalize Today!
Now that you’ve got an answer to “can dogs eat carrots?” it’s time to up your game on dog nutrition. How? By providing your pup Vitalize as part of their daily diet. Get your Vitalize today. Best of all, we have made purchasing Vitalize as easy as possible.
You can visit your local dealer to purchase Vitalize products. Locate a dealer near you, today.
Perhaps you prefer the convenience of online shopping. You can shop online and have Vitalize delivered right to your front door.
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