Are Carrots Good For Dogs?

 

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Summary: In this blog, we’ll learn whether carrots are OK for dogs to eat and if dogs even like carrots! We’ll learn if they can have carrots cooked or raw and how much carrot is too much for a dog. Learn about all things carrot and dogs below…

 

Can Dogs Eat Carrots?

Carrots are absolutely safe for your dog to eat. You may have even seen them advertised on the label as a prominent ingredient in your pup’s commercial dog food! 

They make a super nutritious snack, treat or addition to your dog’s main meal and are low in calories. Carrots are also rich in fibre (which many dogs lack in their diets), antioxidants (like alpha-carotene and beta-carotene), potassium and vitamins A, B6 and K. All of these contribute to your dog’s health and wellbeing, but prominently vitamin A can directly help support eye health, functioning and vision. 

Can Dogs Eat Raw Carrots?

Yes, dogs can eat raw carrots. Gnawing on a raw stick of carrot can actually help boost your dog’s dental health by promoting the strength of the teeth due to how much chewing is required. Carrots can also act as a polishing aid helping keep their teeth clean as the gnawing helps to remove residual pieces of food from the teeth. 

You can even freeze raw carrots and offer them to your dog when they’re cold either to help relieve teething discomfort in puppies or as a fun, edible chew toy for older dogs!

In the interest of safety, it’s always advisable to cut whole carrots into bite-size chunks to reduce the risk of choking - particularly with smaller dog breeds and puppies. However, a full-grown medium/large dog should be able to enjoy chomping down on a full-size carrot but never let them gnaw on one unsupervised to be on the safe side, particularly with baby dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Carrots?

Yes, dogs can also enjoy carrots cooked whether they be boiled or steamed. You just need to make sure the carrot is plain - so, not seasoned with salt or pepper or other flavourings and not served in a sauce or cooked in fats or oils. Again, it’s always advisable to chop your cooked carrot into smaller chunks for your dog to reduce the choking hazard. 

Do Dogs Like Carrots?

Most dogs really enjoy carrots, but remember, every dog is different and some may show more interest in a raw carrot over a cooked carrot or vice versa. If your dog rejects your offering of some carrot, there are lots of alternative fruits and vegetables you can try that are safe for dogs like green beans, cucumber, cooked sweet potato and banana. 

How Many Carrots Can I Give My Dog?

As with every food; everything in moderation and the same goes for carrots. Carrots should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. As carrots are low in calories, the average adult dog should receive no more than around 2 small carrots a day. 

Can Dogs Eat White Carrot?

Carrots are traditionally known to be orange, but carrots can be white, purple, yellow, black and red! And yes, dogs can eat any colour of carrot as long as they’re served plain and unseasoned. 

Can Dogs Eat Carrot Cake?

We wouldn’t recommend you serving carrot cake to a dog. Many of the ingredients in a cake may prove to be toxic to a dog (like currants, raisins, vanilla extract, walnuts, macadamia nuts etc.). The high content of sugar and milk in cake may upset your dog’s stomach too. It’s best to avoid sharing a piece of carrot cake with your pooch, and focus on allowing them to have plain carrot instead. 

If you’re curious about further foods and beverages you absolutely shouldn’t give to your dog, check out our PetLab Co. guide below which lists all items that are known to be toxic to dogs so you know which foods to avoid allowing your dog to eat:

Sources

Author Lesser, Jennifer “Can Dogs Eat Carrots?” The Spruce Pets, Dec 16. 2021 https://www.thesprucepets.com/are-carrots-safe-for-dogs-4628454

“Are Carrots Good For Dogs?” James Wellbeloved https://wellbeloved.com/pet-blog/caring-for-dogs/dog-nutrition/are-carrots-good-for-dogs/