If your pup eats everything, you know they’ll eat anything they can get their mouth on… Whether it’s good for them or not. With so many treats on the market to choose from, pet parents are now seeking healthy, nutritious and affordable treats for their dogs. Carrots could be a good alternative to commercial treats… But can dogs eat carrots? We’ll now find out.

Can dogs eat carrots?

Good news! Carrots are perfectly safe for dogs, and most pups love them.

High in fiber, crunchy and fun to eat, carrots do not have the high calorie count that many commercial treats have, which makes them excellent treats for rewarding your dog’s good behavior.

What are the health benefits of carrots?

These low-fat, low-calorie treats have a bunch of health benefits! Let’s take a look at the major ones:

–   Beta carotene

You’ve probably heard that carrots make your eyes beautiful, and this saying is not completely wrong. Carrots are a great source of beta carotene (precursor to vitamin A, which means that it turns into vitamin A according to the body’s needs). Vitamin A is essential for the normal functioning of eyes and cellular health. It is also a powerful antioxidant that may reduce the risk of cancer. 

–   Lycopene and Lutein

Carrots are loaded with lycopene and lutein. These are essential phytonutrients that can help protect the retina in their eyes from free-radical damage and UVB radiation.

–   Dietary Fiber

Fiber is essential for the digestive system. It is vital for good stool consistency and to maintain the intestinal tract functioning as it should.

– Teeth cleaning texture

Carrots can improve your pup’s dental health If offered in their raw form. Since they’re crunchy, it usually takes dogs a good amount of time to chew them. This chewing mechanism helps clean the teeth and gums, while also removing residual food pieces and helping clear plaque.

What should I be aware of when offering carrots to my dog?

As always, moderation is important – you need to make sure you’re not overfeeding your dog. Treats should never be more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet. You can reduce the amount of kibble you give them to adjust accordingly: 100g of carrot equates to approximately 41 calories.

There are hundreds of ways to offer carrots – raw, steamed, cooked… Freezing them whole is also a great way to guarantee some chewing time for your pup. When using carrots as a training treat, be careful to not cut them up too small, as this may pose a choking hazard.

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