Fruits and vegetables are essential ingredients to enrich dogs’ diets. Since they are tasty and have a high water content, they provide many nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and fiber.
On the other hand, fruits and vegetables have almost no calories. That is why it is a good idea to include them in a healthy and natural diet. There is a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for dogs that, in moderation, can not only be a food supplement, but can occupy an important place in the daily meals of our pet. Of course, we must remember that the intake of these foods should be moderate; they should never become the protagonists of the canine diet, since they should not account for more than 10-15% of the daily diet.
Offer them in the form of treats or natural snacks. Fresh fruits and vegetables are good choices, but you can also use frozen or dehydrated fruits and vegetables. Frozen is especially good in hot weather, and dried has the advantage that you can carry it with you at all times without staining.
Include them directly in your main food. Look at the labeling on your dog’s food. High quality dry, wet or freeze-dried food should contain different fruits and vegetables among its main ingredients.
Just as in the case of the human diet, fruits and vegetables contain many nutrients beneficial to health:
- They are a natural source of vitamins: for example, vitamin C, E and provitamin A (carotenes).
- Fiber: helps your dog to improve intestinal transit.
- Minerals: some of the most important are calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron.
- Antioxidants: such as polyphenols, which have a high antioxidant value.
CONCLUSION
In summary, fruits and vegetables can be a healthy addition to the diet of dogs, but they should be consumed in moderation and should not exceed the recommendation in their daily diet. It is important to avoid harmful foods and consult a veterinarian if there are any concerns.
