|
Post by gladys on Jun 21, 2013 10:42:07 GMT
Hello all. Sorry if there is a thread for this already but the search is not working?!? SO Cooper gets grated raw carrot on his two meals every day. And whole raw carrot to snack on in the evening, both are for the fibre and to help with anal glands. But I would like to add some more veg to his meals and would like your help/advice please? So what veg can I safely give to Cooper? And what's the best way to give it for Cooper to get the goodness out of the veg? Is raw grated ok or do I need to get a food puree machine? Or does it have to be steamed or part boiled then just mashed up? Thanks for your help and sorry if this is a repeat. gladys.x.
|
|
|
Post by bextull on Jun 21, 2013 11:02:59 GMT
For him to get any nutrients from the veg it has to be frozen or pulped. If you want it specifically for fiber then giving it grated is fine.
You can give pretty much all veg except onions (and Avocados) but you should be careful giving some vegetables. Don't feed too much broccoli or other veg from its family (like turnip, kale and cauliflower). Avoid raw potato, cooked it fine though.
Just try and give a wide variety of stuff if you can. I usually buy a bag of the frozen veg mix in tesco and blend it. I add a few other things to it as well like nuts, fruit and some other veg.
|
|
|
Post by orpheous87 on Jun 21, 2013 20:19:41 GMT
Bextull has pretty much covered it all I think!
I've made fruit & veg cubes with cabbage, spinach, broccoli, fennel, garlic, banana and cherries in - the dogs both love them and begged one each this afternoon when I was bagging them up to free up some space in the freezer!
Fennel is apparently good for nourishing and cleansing the cells and tissues in the body and the seeds are a good digestive aid and used to get rid of intestinal parasites.
|
|
|
Post by teegiebear on Jun 21, 2013 20:19:43 GMT
Random and I've heard befor it should be pulped or frozen but any idea why?
|
|
|
Post by caz2golden on Jun 21, 2013 21:21:12 GMT
Its to do with the way dogs system digests food.
Dogs are seen to have difficulty with breaking down vegetable matter (if you ever fed carrot you know what goes in comes out the same at the other end). By preparing vegetables it allows them to be able to utilize the veg as fully as possible. As such we are breaking down the veg matter before feeding it. This can be achieved by cooking, steaming, pulverizing and/or freezing.
I guess it may be linked to their short digestive system (acid stomach and short digestive tract) which is not designed for veg as well as it is designed for meat!!
|
|
|
Post by bextull on Jun 21, 2013 22:26:34 GMT
Dogs(and people) do not have the ability to break down the cell walls of plants. The cell walls are made up of cellulose but dogs do not posess the enzyme cellulase to break down the cellulose. Even if they did they still do not have 4 stomachs to ferment the plant matter in.
If you want your dog to get more than fiber from fruit and veg, then you must break down the cell walls for them.
|
|
|
Post by caz2golden on Jun 21, 2013 22:41:47 GMT
Thanks for the great description Bextull
|
|
|
Post by teegiebear on Jun 22, 2013 9:09:53 GMT
Thanks
|
|
|
Post by gladys on Jun 22, 2013 11:39:36 GMT
Thanks guys you have all been very helpful. I bought a bag of frozen veg from Morrisons yesterday Thanks bextull It has 50% Carrots 40% Peas 5% Broccoli 5% Cauliflower. So last night I blended up some of the mixed veg and added an Apple, Banana and garlic. I mixed a dollop in with the kibble and there is some in the fridge and the rest is in the freezer in take away dishes. I didn't realise how strong the garlic would smell and was worried that would put him off but Cooper ate it all up. So looks like I've found a winner. So I can't go wrong with any veg (apart from the mentioned) then? I can add sweetcorn to the blender? I noticed a lot of mixed frozen veg with it in and I can put a bit aside whenever we open a can for us.
|
|
|
Post by CurlyCub on Jun 22, 2013 11:42:46 GMT
Thanks guys you have all been very helpful. I bought a bag of frozen veg from Morrisons yesterday Thanks bextull It has 50% Carrots 40% Peas 5% Broccoli 5% Cauliflower. So last night I blended up some of the mixed veg and added an Apple, Banana and garlic. I mixed it in with the kibble. I didn't realise how strong the garlic would smell but Cooper ate it all up. So looks like I've found a winner. So I can't go wrong with any veg (apart from the mentioned) then? I can add sweetcorn to the blender? I noticed a lot of mixed frozen veg with it in and I can put a bit aside whenever we open a can for us. Sounds like he loved it Yes you can add sweetcorn, Jess has it all the time! She has it whole; it comes out the other end looking exactly the same... can't help but notice. Blending would be a good idea
|
|
|
Post by gladys on Jun 22, 2013 15:41:19 GMT
Thanks CurlyCub. Yeah Cooper loved it last night lets hope he feels the same way tonight?? I stopped giving him wet food as the cereal free ones I tried him on seemed to make his poop really soft. So the new plan:- Breakfast = Kibble, Sardines & grated carrot. Tea = Kibble, blended fruit&veg, Yumega Plus oil & grated carrot. I'm keeping with the grated carrot as it's fibre for the anal glands. Thanks for all you help. I'll keep you posted how it goes over the next few days.
|
|
|
Post by BorderTerrier on Jun 22, 2013 17:02:41 GMT
Can I just say that a whole carrot per day to much on keeps a dog's teeth clean well, therefore if you are doing this there is no need to clean his teeth in any other way, if you do so.
|
|
|
Post by gladys on Jun 22, 2013 20:10:19 GMT
BorderTerrier I think you should of proof read before sending the post?? Cooper gets a raw carrot to chew every day but he also gets his teeth brushed and has logic put on them.
|
|
|
Post by bextull on Jun 22, 2013 20:30:46 GMT
Can I just say that a whole carrot per day to much on keeps a dog's teeth clean well, therefore if you are doing this there is no need to clean his teeth in any other way, if you do so. While it does not make too much sense, that is quite a big claim to make. Perhaps the carrots you give are special carrots but carrots haven't helped Oscars teeth in the slightest. It should also be noted that carrots are pretty high in natural sugars, so if your dog has problems with diabetes then they are not the most suitable treats to be giving.
|
|
|
Post by teegiebear on Jun 22, 2013 21:48:14 GMT
My dogs love a carrot to chew but they. Never last long enough for them chewing it to clean their teeth but I can't make soup without them giving me puppy dog eyes so I have to give them one eadh
|
|