We know that for humans, nutritionists generally advocate a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
But what about our dogs?
Is it really so good to give vegetables to dogs? And if we do give them vegetables, what should we give them and how much should we give them?
Personally, I see both advantages and disadvantages to giving vegetables to a dog. And I'm going to talk about them in this article. In this article, as in the video below, I'm going to share 4 facts that will help you form an opinion on the subject.
The first fact is that dogs are not equipped to digest whole raw vegetables.
Dogs have a digestive system designed to digest meat, not plants like vegetables.
To properly digest plant matter, a dog needs to be able to grind it. Dogs don't have the teeth and jaw structure to do this. They don't have flat teeth, and their jaw doesn't flex laterally, as it would if they were designed to primarily eat plants. Because dogs can't grind plant matter effectively, when it reaches their digestive system, they aren't able to digest it properly and efficiently extract the nutrients.
Also, dogs have a short intestine, whereas a long intestine is required to properly digest the fibre in vegetables. Therefore, in dogs, vegetables pass through their intestines too quickly, not allowing enough time for proper digestion.
The second fact is that some dogs are sensitive to carbohydrates and giving them vegetables can increase their symptoms.
Fruits and vegetables are rich in carbohydrates and sugar. The vegetables richest in sugar are, for example, root vegetables, such as carrots.
However, some dogs are particularly intolerant to carbohydrates. These can cause yeast infections, itching, or digestive issues. For some dogs intolerant to sugar, giving them excess vegetables or fruit can worsen their symptoms.
Third point: favour green, leafy and crushed vegetables.
If you want to give your dog vegetables, choose leafy greens that are finely chopped. These vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, and prebiotics. Examples of good leafy greens include kale, spinach, lettuce, spring greens, mesclun, sprouts, and broccoli.
When it comes to fruit, I'm a bit more cautious since it's often higher in sugar. Fruits that can be good in limited quantities are small fruits like blueberries or raspberries, for example.
You must not forget that the best and most nutritious food for your dog will always be meat, but giving crushed green vegetables in limited quantities can be interesting as a supplement to its diet.
Fourth, don’t exceed 10% of your dog's diet in vegetables.
If you give your dog vegetables, don't exceed 10% of their diet to avoid unbalancing it. Normally, your dog's food (kibble or raw) already contains a portion of vegetables. So, to avoid upsetting their diet, stick to a certain proportion of added vegetables.
In conclusion, for most dogs, giving a small amount of vegetables is fine, but it's important to do it correctly and take into account your pet's specific needs. Otherwise, giving them vegetables won't necessarily provide the benefits you think they will.
If you make your own homemade dog food and would like to learn all about best practices and how to properly balance your recipes, or if you're simply interested in canine nutrition and would like to learn how to provide your dog with a healthy and balanced diet, I invite you to subscribe to my YouTube channel for lots of free videos.
In closing, thank you for your concern about your dog's diet and health, and I'll see you soon for more helpful tips and information on canine nutrition!
Karine, agronomist
