If you are trying to switch your dog to a healthier food diet, you may be wondering about the types of vegetables that are healthy for dogs to eat. For instance, can dogs eat zucchini and is it good or bad for them? Zucchini is not only good for dogs, it is actually one of the best vegetables you can add to your dog’s diet. Just remember to give your dog zucchini in moderation, just as you would with any other type of treat. Let’s take a look at why raw and cooked zucchini is good for dogs.
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Health Benefits of Zucchini For Dogs
There are plenty of treats that you can give your dogs, but if you are looking for one that is loaded with nutrients, check out everything that zucchini has to offer. For instance, zucchini is rich in dietary fiber, which is necessary for a healthy digestive system. It is also rich in the following nutrients:
- Calcium
- Beta carotene
- B vitamins
- Potassium
- Folate
One of the best things about zucchini is that it is low in calories. A cup of zucchini has only 20 calories or so, and it is also low in cholesterol and fat. It is a great treat to give to dogs that are overweight, because it isn’t fattening.
How To Give Zucchini To Your Dog
Too much of anything is never a good thing, and this goes for zucchini as well. Anything you give your dog to eat should be in moderation, and treats should make up no more than 10 percent of any dog’s diet. With that said, you can feed your dog 1/2 to a full cup of zucchini daily. However, larger amounts could lead to stomach upsets.
Make sure that any zucchini you give your dogs are cut into bite-size pieces to prevent any choking hazards. You might even want to steam or boil the zucchini if your dog is older and has trouble chewing. You can also cook zucchini for your dog, but remember, your dog doesn’t need it to be seasoned like you would. Cook it as it is, without any seasoning at all. Don’t overcook it, as it will lose a lot of the nutrients.
Some people like to give their dogs sweet treats, and you may wonder if zucchini bread is healthy for dogs. Because Zucchini bread is high in sugar and fat, this is not a good option. But, we have a zucchini doggie treat recipe that is healthy and delicious for dogs.
Zucchini Dog Treat Recipe
There are plenty of zucchini dog treats you can make. Here’s the recipe for our favorite homemade zucchini treat for dogs.
Ingredients
- 1 C flour
- 1 C oats
- ½ C water
- ½ C grated zucchini
- 1 tbsp. molasses
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350° F
- Mix wet ingredients in one bowl, dry in another. Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly
- Roll dough out to about one inch thick, and cut with cookie cutters
- Place cookies on a greased baking sheet
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, allowing to cool completely before serving
Yes, Dogs Can Eat Zucchini in Moderation
If you want to give your dogs zucchini as a treat, you will be doing them a world of good. This tasty vegetable is loaded with nutrients that all dogs need in a healthy diet, and it is great to ensure that your dogs don’t become obese from fattening treats. They can enjoy the above dog cookies, or just give it to them cooked or raw to snack on.
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