Dogs are carnivores, that’s indisputable.
The question arises as to why so many high-quality foods contain vegetables. Is that necessary and does the four-legged friend like it at all?
The answers are not that easy. The fact is that vegetables and fruits are important for dogs ‘ digestion. In addition, plant-based food components provide the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Vegetable fibers help digestion
For the digestion of our dogs to function without problems, the animal has to eat a certain amount of difficult or indigestible food components.
These so-called dietary fibers fill the intestines and help the food to be transported and excreted quickly.
What is dietary fiber for dogs?
Fiber is an indigestible part of the food. They mostly come from plant foods like fruits and vegetables. Dietary fibers are divided into the categories of water-soluble and water-insoluble.
Although these substances are not directly absorbed through the intestines, fiber plays a very important role in digestion in the gastrointestinal tract.
Such fibers are mainly found in cereals, legumes, fruit, and vegetables.
Where is fiber included in a list?
As a type of grain, rye has the highest fiber content. This is followed by nuts and dried fruits such as almonds, figs, dates, and plums.
When it comes to cereals, rye crispbread and oatmeal stand out. When it comes to fruit, blueberries and kiwis have a high fiber content. Apples and bananas contain about half as much fiber.
The fiber content in grams per 100 g of food
You can find detailed information on each food by clicking on the term in the list:
- Rye crispbread 14.1 g
- Rolled oats 9.5 g
- Corn kernels 7.7 g
- Almonds 9.8 g
- Figs 9.6 g
- Dates 9.2 g
- Plums 9.0 g
- Blueberries 4.9 g
- Kiwi 3.9g
- Apple 2.3g
- Banana 2.0g
- Potato 1.9g
- Leaf lettuce 1.6 g
Among the vegetables, cabbages like Brussels sprouts and cauliflower have the highest fiber content. However, due to the flatulent effect, they are not suitable for dogs. Potatoes and leaf salads are much better suited for this.
In any case, vegetables and fruit are ideal sources of dietary fiber. Grains and legumes such as beans or lentils can have negative health consequences for dogs.
It is important to limit the amount of raw fiber. If your four-legged friend eats too much of it, this can lead to diarrhea.
Vegetables and fruits are also healthy for the dog
Vegetables and fruit also provide several secondary plant substances that have a positive effect on the health of our four-legged friends.
Examples include carotenoids found in carrots, apricots, and spinach. They support the immune system, counteract cancer and prevent damage to the cell nucleus.
Saponins lower cholesterol and are considered anti-inflammatory. Spinach and legumes have a high proportion.
Phenolic acids and flavonoids are found in almost all plants. They have antimicrobial and antioxidant effects.
Monoterpenes, which are said to counteract cancer, are found in apples, apricots, raspberries, and blueberries.
Which vegetables can you feed?
In principle, most types of fruit and vegetables are suitable for dogs.
These ingredients are usually already included in today‘s modern complete feeds. You, therefore, do not have to feed your dog additional lettuce, apples, or spinach.
It is particularly important to add vegetable fiber if you feed your dog raw. It is ideal to lightly steam or puree the vegetables. This makes it easier for the dog to digest.
Of course, there are also those housemates who place absolutely no value on high-quality feed additives. In this case, the ideal thing is to puree the healthy food and mix it with the meat or offal.
If you would like to prepare your pet a pure vegetable meal, do not forget to mix in high-quality oil. The oil ensures that the dog can also utilize the fat-soluble vitamins.
Tastes are different
Our three boys react very differently to fruit and vegetables. Alonso, our Podenco eats all the green stuff he can get his hands on. We have often made other dog owners smile when he bit off a carrot like a horse and even left other treats lying around.
Maui, our mixed breed male, loves apples. He even takes her with him when he finds her out walking under a tree.
Both also like to eat bananas, cucumbers, or even a cocktail tomato.
However, if you come too close to our Chihuahua Tequila with fruit or vegetables, you will get an evil eye. He wrinkled his pretty little nose and ran away. With him, these ingredients have to be chopped up as well as possible and hidden in the meat.
Be careful, not all vegetables are healthy
However, when feeding vegetables, always keep in mind that not all varieties are compatible with dogs.
You should avoid raw onions and garlic. Their ingredients can cause life-threatening damage to the dog.
Raw potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes can contain solanine in the green parts of the plant, which is toxic to both dogs and humans.
The avocado is very controversial. It’s not known if it’s toxic or harmful to dogs. Opinions differ greatly here. Equally unclear are the effects of grapes and raisins.
Frequently Asked Question
Where is a lot of dietary fiber found?
Dietary fiber is mainly found in fruit and vegetables, whole grain products, legumes, nuts, seeds, and mushrooms. It doesn’t matter which high-fiber foods you choose, a mix of many sources is ideal.
Which vegetables are high in fiber?
Vegetables and fruit: Mainly cabbage (cauliflower, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, white cabbage, savoy cabbage), but e.g. B. also carrots, fennel, and potatoes provide a lot of fiber. Dried fruits such as dates, figs, prunes, and raisins are also very rich in it.
Are raw carrots good for dogs?
The ideal snack. As a raw snack between meals, the carrot strengthens your dog’s immune system. At the same time, the ingredients in carrots block susceptibility to parasites and bacterial diseases. The raw vegetables are also an entertaining treat for your dog to chew on.
Is oatmeal high in fiber?
Rolled oats contain 10 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams, so 300 grams of oat flakes are enough to meet the recommended daily requirement.
Is oatmeal good for dogs?
Is oatmeal healthy for dogs? Yes, oatmeal is very healthy for dogs. This is due on the one hand to the high protein content of oat flakes, on the other hand to the many dietary fibers, minerals, and trace elements, and the fact that they are very easy to digest.
When to use oatmeal for dogs?
If your dog has diarrhea or gastrointestinal problems, oatmeal made from oatmeal is also very suitable as part of a light diet. Oat flakes have a high proportion of carbohydrates (about 70%) and are a very good source of protein thanks to their high protein content of almost 15%.
What oatmeal can dogs eat?
For oatmeal to be easily digestible for the dog, it must be cooked. You may remember this porridge from your childhood. To this day, good old oatmeal is popular when you are plagued by gastrointestinal problems or convalescence.
Is cottage cheese good for the dog?
Cottage cheese is one of the best sources of animal protein for dogs, alongside products containing meat. Of course, cottage cheese also contains lactose, which is why the feeding amount should be clarified with the help of a feeding advisor.