As a pet parent, you care about the ingredients in your dog's food, and because of this, you're always searching for a healthy treat to share with your furry friend from time to time. Better yet, you want something with vitamins and minerals, and it would be great if it's something you regularly had at home. That's when you start to wonder if carrots are actually good for dogs. You know it's been listed as an ingredient in some of the food you've purchased for your dog, but can dogs eat carrots that are fresh from the fridge or garden? Let's find out whether or not your dog can eat carrots.
Can Dogs Eat Carrots?
Yes! Carrots are a healthy choice if you're looking for a snack for a hungry dog. These root vegetables come in many colours, such as white, purple, yellow, red, and the most common, orange. They're easy to find in grocery stores and can be grown even in cooler weather.
But are carrots good for dogs? You bet! According to Heathline, "Carrots are a particularly good source of beta carotene, fibre, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants". Carrots also contain vitamin A, biotin and vitamin B6, and they're low in calories.
Tasty Tips
How to Feed Carrots to Your Dog
When it comes to feeding carrots to your dog, any colour or size of carrot is fine to purchase for your pet. Just make sure you wash the vegetables first to remove any dirt or potential pesticides.
Then, and most importantly, you'll want to prepare the carrots before handing them over to your dog. According to the My Family Vets, "dogs may choke on whole carrots, so cutting them up into small pieces is always advisable". You can cut carrots into rounds, small sticks or pieces the size of your dog's hard food. Determine what size is best for your pet based on their size!
You can feed your dog raw or cooked carrots. If your pet doesn't enjoy raw carrots, offer them cooked ones — they might prefer the softer texture. It is worth noting that the nutrients in raw carrots are absorbed at lower levels than in gently cooked carrots. Just make sure to avoid cooking the vegetables with butter or seasonings and spices as these could potentially make your dog sick. You may even consider putting some carrots in your dog's food if you're looking to boost their vitamin, mineral and fibre intake.
While there are many perks to feeding your dog carrots as a healthy treat, it's always important to talk to your pet's veterinarian before introducing any new food to their meal plan. They'll be able to tell you exactly how often your dog should be snacking on this root vegetable and how many carrots your dog should eat in one sitting.
Now, you don't have to wonder, "Can dogs eat carrots?" or "Are carrots good for dogs?" any longer. You can spoil your furry friends with this nutritious treat if they like it. You can even snack together!
Related products
Puppy & Mother Tender Mousse Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Puppy & Mother Tender Mousse Dog Food with Chicken is a complete premium pet food for puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs. Formulated with chicken and other specially selected ingredients, including minerals and antioxidants to support gut health and optimal growth, it comes in a soft mousse texture they'll love.
Perfect Weight Small & Mini Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Small & Mini Dog Food with Turkey is a complete premium pet food for adult small dogs from 1 year old that are prone to weight gain or slightly overweight. This deliciously smooth mousse is formulated to deliver the appropriate amount of energy to support weight maintenance in adult dogs.
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Small & Mini Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach and Skin Small & Mini Adult Dog Food with Turkey is a complete premium pet food for small breed adult dogs aged 1–6 years. This deliciously soft mousse is enriched with ingredients that support digestive health & skin care.
Hypoallergenic Medium Adult Dog Food
Science Plan Hypoallergenic Medium Adult dog food with Salmon is a gentle, science-led formula crafted for dogs with food sensitivities. Made with carefully selected, high-quality novel proteins and no grains, it’s tailored to minimise common triggers that can lead to skin and digestive discomfort.
Related articles
Dog Bitten by a Snake? Clinical Symptoms & What You Should Do
Learn about snake bites on dogs, including clinical symptoms to look for, what to do if you think your dog was bitten, and treatment & prevention options.
Are your Dog’s Bad Habits Stomach Churning?
Puppy, kitten and pet dieting, cat nutrition and dog nutrition information from Hill's Pet
Kidney Disease in Dogs: Causes, Signs & Treatments
Discover the causes, signs, and treatments of kidney disease in dogs and find methods of supporting your dog's kidney health. Learn more at Hill's Pet South Africa.
What should I do about my overweight dog?
Dog obesity is a significant problem - learn more about helping your dog become trimmer and healthier through improved nutrition.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.