Vegetables are good for pets

It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But is that also true for pets? When most people think of food for dogs, images of kibble, meaty canned food or even bones might be the first things that come to mind.

However, fruits and vegetables that humans eat to maintain wellness can also help prolong a pet’s life and help it to stay healthy.

Orange, red and yellow fruits and vegetables are best for dogs because they are often enriched with nutrients. Many fruits and vegetables also contain antioxidants that reduce the risk of cancer.

When feeding your pet with fruit, it is advisable that you make use of a food processor or blender to crush the fruit into a pulp. You may also need to cook or steam vegetables. The reason for this is because many nutrients are found in the skins of fruits and vegetables, and dogs don’t have the enzymes required to digest the skin of most fruits and vegetables. So, blending will help to crush the skin and release these nutrients.

Carrots are well known for promoting good vision; and in both humans and dogs, they nourish the optic nerve and promote good visual health. In addition to their visual benefits, carrots are also a rich source of a pro-vitamin known as beta carotene. Beta carotenes are powerful antioxidants that can help to prevent cancer.

Carrots also contain vitamin C, a nutrient that helps produce collagen in bones, muscle, cartilage and blood vessels so that iron can be absorbed by the body. In addition to vitamins A and C, carrots are sources of vitamins D, E, K, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, sodium, magnesium and iron. These important vitamins and nutrients support the immune system and digestion.

Green beans are a great source of vitamins A, C and K, as well as calcium, copper, fibre, folic acid, iron, niacin, manganese, potassium, riboflavin and thiamin. Green beans also contain high concentrations of beta carotene. These legumes promote bone health because they contain silicon, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous, all essential nutrients in maintaining strong bones. Vitamin K helps maintain bone health because it triggers osteocalcin, a non-collagen protein in bones.

Spinach is a nutrient-dense green vegetable that contains twice as much iron than many other greens. This leafy green vegetable is also a good source of fibre, calcium, potassium and vitamins A, B6 and K. Spinach is particularly good for dogs that need to ward off inflammatory and cardiovascular problems as well as cancer. The flavonoids and carotenoids contained in spinach work as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. Studies on animals have shown that spinach extract can reduce rates of skin cancer.

Apples contain a multitude of important vitamins and nutrients. In particular, red apples contain powerful antioxidants, and they are an excellent source of vitamin C for dogs. In fact, one apple contains about 1,500 mg of vitamin C. The skin of an apple contains high levels of vitamin A and pectin, a fibre that can improve digestion by strengthening intestinal muscles.

Oranges are rich sources of folate, thiamin, potassium, calcium and magnesium. They also contain flavonoids, an important component to strengthen a pet’s immune system and connective tissues. Oranges also protect against cancer and can keep off viral infections.

In addition to the health benefits of vitamin C and other nutrients found in oranges, this fruit has many other health benefits. Studies conducted on humans show that consumption of oranges can help prevent cardiovascular disease, lower cholesterol levels, lower the risk of stomach cancer, promote respiratory health and prevent rheumatoid arthritis.

Pumpkins are a healthy food to feed your dog. If your dog is prone to tummy trouble and experiences diarrhoea or constipation, a diet that includes puréed pumpkin might improve his intestinal health. Pumpkin softens stool, which aids dogs who suffer from digestion problems. The fibre contained in pumpkin also absorbs water, which helps alleviate diarrhoea. Pumpkin is such a rich source of fibre that you only need to add a few teaspoons to your dog’s daily diet to improve his intestinal health. Pumpkin is also loaded with vitamin A and antioxidants; and it provides anti-inflammatory benefits, helps to regulate blood sugar levels and promotes cardiovascular health.

In conclusion, we need to realise that there are a number of fruits, seeds and vegetables that can be toxic, even life threatening, when ingested by pets. For example, grapes and raisins can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys, possibly resulting in death.

Avocados (entire plant: leaves, fruit, seeds and bark) contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs, and also trigger difficulty breathing, fluid accumulation in the chest, abdomen and heart, or pancreatitis.

Onion, garlic and chives can cause the destruction of red blood cells known as Heinz body anaemia, a form of hemolytic anaemia; while tomato plants (the vines, stems and leaves) are very toxic.

If you suspect that your dog may have ingested any of these toxic foods, please contact your veterinarian immediately.