Are carrots healthy for dogs?
Carrots are full of nutrients and low in calories. Carrots are a particularly good source of beta-carotene, fibre, vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants (1)
Carrots have a number of health benefits. They are a weight loss friendly food and have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved eye health, improved digestion, as well as reduced risk of cancer. They are also one of the highest contributors of vitamin A — the powerhouse vitamin for so much of your dog’s body. Carrots also provide ample amounts of vitamins C, D and E as well as many minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium.
Environmentally, carrots also have one of the lowest carbon footprints of all fruits and vegetables.
10 Science Informed Reasons to Include Carrots in Your Dog’s Diet:
- Rich Source of Healthy Vitamins and Minerals – carrots are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin A (from beta-carotene), biotin, vitamin K (phylloquinone), potassium and vitamin B6.
- Promotes Good Vision, Important for Growth, Development and Immune Function – carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A supports these health benefits. Lutein – one of the most common antioxidants in carrots, predominantly found in yellow and orange carrots and is important for eye health. (15, 23)
- Supports Fat and Protein Metabolism – Biotin one of the B-vitamins, formerly known as vitamin H. It plays an important role in fat and protein metabolism. (16)
- Promotes Bone Health and Blood Coagulation – Vitamin K1 also known as phylloquinone, is important for blood coagulation and can promote bone health. (17, 18)
- Important for Blood Pressure Control – Potassium an essential mineral, is important for blood pressure control.
- Supports Efficient Conversion into Energy – Vitamin B6 a group of related vitamins that are involved with the conversion of food into energy.
- May Help Protect against Leukaemia and Cancer Cells – recent research has identified bioactive compounds, Polyacetylenes, that may help protect against leukaemia and cancer cells. (1, 25, 26)
- Lowers Blood Cholesterol – high blood cholesterol is a well-known risk factor for heart disease. Intake of carrots has been linked to lower cholesterol levels. (12, 13)
- Supports Weight Loss – carrots, as part of meals, can increase satiety and decrease calorie intake in subsequent meals. (33)
- Environmentally Friendly – carrots have a small carbon footprint, amongst the lowest of all fruits and vegetables at just 0.5 kg CO2-equivalent per kg of food compared to lamb at 26.45 kg CO2-equivalent per kg of food. (30)
