Zucchini is also known as Courgette. It’s summer squash. It is often thought of as a vegetable, but it actually belongs to the category of fruit. It is technically a berry because it comes from squash flowers. What does this long-lasting, green berry offer your dog? Continue reading to learn more about zucchini’s health benefits and possible side effects for dogs and why it is a good choice to add to your dog’s bowl.
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Can Dogs Have Zucchini?
Zucchini’s mild taste makes it easy to feed dogs. What other health benefits does zucchini offer?
So can dogs eat zucchini? Yes, it certainly is. And here is a list of all the health benefits of zucchini for your dog. It explains why dogs can eat zucchini and you should add this green vegetable to your dog’s diet.
Zucchini has a lot of antioxidants
Zucchini is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds found in plants that protect the body against free radicals.
Free radicals, unstable molecules, can cause damage to your dog’s long-term health. Free radicals can cause damage to a dog’s DNA and cells… as well as accelerate the aging process.
This is known as oxidative stress. It’s similar to rust building up in your body. Antioxidants can be used to reverse the damage.
Carotenoids, a class of antioxidants, give certain plants their distinctive color. This antioxidant is abundant in zucchini.
You should not give your dog zucchini peelings. The skin has the most antioxidants…so don’t peel it! The skin also contains extra fiber, which leads me to the next point.
Zucchini is great for digestion
Zucchini is a water-soluble vegetable that softens stool and relieves constipation. Zucchini also has soluble as well as insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber expands the stool and helps relieve constipation by drawing in water.
Soluble fiber is good for beneficial bacteria, which in turn produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This lowers the chance of intestinal disorders such as colitis, leaky gut, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Zucchini is loaded with nutrients
Zucchini is a rich source of nutrients, making it an excellent natural source of vitamins and minerals.
It’s rich in vitamins A, C and B6, K…, and minerals such as potassium, manganese, and magnesium. Vitamins K and C are not required because dogs make them naturally, but they can be very beneficial for food.
Some vitamins, such as vitamins C and A are antioxidants.
Vitamin A in raw zucchini is slightly lower than that of cooked zucchini. Vitamin A is lost when foods are cooked. You can give your dog raw food as long as the zucchini is mashed for easy digestion.
Lose weight
Zucchini has only 17 calories per cup! It is also rich in fiber and water, which can aid with weight loss.
Fiber can help you feel fuller for longer periods of time and reduce your hunger. Zucchini is low in glycemic and won’t spike blood sugar.
Your dog should eat about 10% of its total food from plants. However, feeding your dog zucchini and other greens can help you lose weight.
Caution For Dogs Eating Zucchini
You can usually give zucchini to your dog in moderation as it is non-toxic. In some cases, however, zucchini can become extremely bitter and even toxic. Cucurbitacins are a group of biochemicals that plants produce.
Avoiding Bitter Zucchini
Cucurbitacins are chemically known as “bitter principles” and give off a bitter taste. They can also be toxic. This biochemical can be found in the roots, stems, and leaves of squash, which are all parts that humans don’t eat. The bitterness can cause a bitter taste (and even toxic) in the plant.
Researchers are currently studying the possible benefits of cucurbitacins in pharmaceutical drugs that combat inflammation, cancer, and atherosclerosis. These bitter fruits are not meant to be used as a cure for these diseases in dogs.
Cucurbitacins can cause severe side effects in dogs due to their bitter taste. In humans, bitter zucchini can cause nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Avoid bitter zucchini by buying zucchini that has been grown in favorable conditions. Organic is the best. Choose smaller zucchinis – the giant ones you might find are more likely to be bitter.
You can taste it before you give it to your dog. Throw it out if it is bitter or put it in your compost pile.
Dogs can experience side effects from zucchini.
Zucchini is usually a good choice for dogs. Dogs can tolerate zucchini well, but it can cause digestive upset. It is a good idea for dogs to be supervised when you introduce new foods to their diet.
Dogs can choke on large pieces of zucchini. This can be avoided by cutting the zucchini into smaller pieces or steaming it for dogs who have trouble chewing. It is not recommended to feed a whole zucchini to a dog.
How do feed your dog Zucchini the right way?
Zucchini is best when it is tender and young. If you are able to grow it yourself, make sure it does not turn into a baseball bat. Buy smaller zucchini at the grocery store. You want them to feel firm and not squishy. Make sure you properly prepare zucchini and other vegetables for your dog.
- Remove the stalk from the vegetable
- Blend, steam, boil, or ferment for digestibility
- Cut it into small pieces
This causes the cell walls to fall apart and makes the nutrients available to your dog.
What can you do to add zucchini to your diet?
This amazing food can be fed to your family in the form of puzzle toys or homemade treats in a dehydrator.
The general guideline for dog veggie feeding is 10%…. adjust these amounts to fit your dog’s needs.
- Small dogs may need 1-2 teaspoons daily
- Medium dogs should consume 2-3 teaspoons daily
- Large dogs need 1-2 Tbsp per day
Dogs love meat-based diets, but small amounts of vegetables can be very beneficial for them.
Are Zucchini Plants Toxic to Dogs?
Don’t panic if your dog eats zucchini flowers or leaves. The plant’s entire body is safe. The zucchini plants’ flowers are edible. They can be fried or cooked for human consumption.
You might want to take a look at what other plants you have, in case your dog wanders around your garden. This will help you make sure your dog doesn’t eat anything that could potentially be harmful.
How much zucchini is safe for dogs?
Give them no more than 0.4 cups of zucchini per day. If your dog is small that eats one cup of food a day then give them no more than 0.1 cups of zucchini per day.
Zucchini may be low in calories but it does not mean that you should give your dog a diet of zucchini only. All treats should be enjoyed in moderation, according to veterinarians.
You can help your dog decide how much zucchini you should feed him by limiting the number of treats they receive.
A large dog might consume four to five cups of food per day while a small dog might only eat half of that amount. You can figure out the 10% of your dog’s food and keep it below that amount.
Zucchini is usually a good choice for dogs. Dogs can tolerate zucchini well, but it can cause digestive upset. It is a good idea for dogs to be supervised when you introduce new foods to their diet.
