Can Dogs Eat Zucchini? Is It Good For Dogs?
Zucchini can be a healthy and nutritious snack for for humans, but can dogs eat zucchini? In this blog post, we will discuss if zucchini is healthy for dogs, is it safe for dogs, if there are any risks involved, and everything you need to know about feeding zucchini to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Zucchini?
Yes, dogs can eat zucchini and it can even provide them with a variety of different health benefits.As with anything that can potentially go into the mouth of your pup or kitty-cat, it's important to understand what they can digest properly and what they can't.
Dogs have different levels of stomach acidity than people do which make them unable to process some vegetables like tomatoes. Zucchinis on the other hand are great because in addition to being low calorie snacks - adding something green inside their diet such as zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, or other veggies can provide your dog with extra vitamins and minerals. Keep reading to learn about the benefits, potential risks, and best way to serve zucchini to your dog.
Is Zucchini Safe For Dogs?
Yes, zucchini is safe for dogs as a treat and can be fed to your dog whether it is raw, steamed, or cooked. Zucchini is a great snack for your dog because it is a healthy green option and most dogs enjoy the flavor and the texture of the vegetable. Zucchini also has a high water content so it can be beneficial for your dogs hydration levels and keep their energy levels at a healthy range. When introducing new types of food to your dogs diet, it is recommend that you speak with your veterinarian first as they will have a better understanding of the health of your dog.
Benefits of Feeding Zucchini To Dogs?
Feeding zucchini to your dog as a snack in addition to a healthy dog food can provide your dog with a variety of beneficial vitamins and minerals. Zucchini can provide your dog with potassium, folate, vitamin B-12, and it can help to regulate blood sugar levels. Zucchini also is a good source of antioxidants for your dog.
Zucchini is an excellent choice as a reward for overweight dogs. They provide lots of nutrients and minerals, while also being low in fat and cholesterol. In one cup of raw zucchini, you get 20 calories with no fat or cholesterol added which makes it a much healthier snack for dogs compared to more calorie dense snacks such as eggs, cheese, or spinach.
Risks Involved With Giving Dogs Zucchini
Zucchini is not harmful to dogs, and is in fact one of the best vegetables for them. Some human foods are hazardous if eaten by canines, but zucchini is safe! There can be some risks associated with pup’s eating too much zucchini. As with human food, there are things you need to know about in order to make sure your dog remains healthy when consuming it. Like any vegetable out there, even though zuccini tastes great and isn’t bad for our animals companion, eating too much zucchini could cause an upset stomach or even diarrhea for your dog as their stomachs aren't design to consume large amount of dietary fiber at once. For this reason, it is recommended that you give your dog zucchini in moderations.
How To Serve Zucchini To Dogs
Raw, steamed or cooked zucchini is safe for dogs to eat - but most of us like our veggies with a little flavor. If you plan on feeding your dog zucchini, make sure some stays plain while you add seasonings at the table. Foods that contain oils and salt pose a health risk to dogs so don't feed your pup any zucchini that has been cooked in those ingredients either.
Baked goods made with zucchini can also be bad for your dog. These foods contain a lot of unnecessary calories and fat, sugar, which have various side effects on dogs including stomach pain and belly churning. The key is to provide your dog with a clean and plain version of zucchini that doesn't have additives and preservatives in it.
How Much Zucchini Can A Dog Eat?
While zucchini might be low in calories, veterinarians recommend only feeding dogs treats in moderation. Treats should make up less than 10 percent of a dog's diet and vets say they can provide loads of benefits to our furry friends. You should rely on a healthy dog food to make up the bulk of your dog's diet.
For example, a large dog might eat 4-8 cups of food in a day whereas a small dog may only consume 1/2 cup. You simply need to figure out what 10% of your pet’s diet would be and stay well beneath this limit.
Dogs usually do not react poorly to zucchini, but offering large amounts of new foods at once can lead to digestive upset regardless of the food. It’s always best to observe the dog with new food items as well.
Large zucchini pieces pose a choking hazard for dogs. You can prevent this by chopping the zucchini into manageable bite-sized pieces, or steaming it to soften it for dogs that have difficulty chewing. Feeding an entire zucchini to a dog is not advisable, so monitor how much you give your pup and if necessary break up larger portions in smaller "bites."
Can Dogs Have Zucchini? Final Verdict
Yes, dogs can have zucchini and can even receive additional vitamins and minerals from zucchini, but they should only be fed zucchini in moderation. Too much zucchini at one time can cause an upset stomach in your dog because of the high dietary fiber content in zucchini as well as other fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, asparagus, broccoli, and even pickles. It is always recommended that you speak with your vet prior to feeding your dog new types of food.
