Most of the time, a pet’s diet is limited to kibble and occasional human food scraps from the table.
But maybe your dog is interested in veggies from your garden, or you just want a safe and healthy snack to feed your furry friend. You can even give your dog supplements to ensure they’re getting optimal nutrition, such as our InnovetPet Multivitamin Soft Chews
Good news: zucchini is the perfect option for giving your dog a healthy snack. In this article, we’ll go over the reasons why this veggie is a safe and healthy snack for your dog.
Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat Zucchini?
Some veggies such as garlic and onions are harmful to dogs, even in small portions.
You may be wondering: can dogs eat zucchini safely?
The answer: zucchini is one vegetable that is not only perfectly safe but beneficial to dogs.
Dogs can eat it raw or cooked, frozen, sliced, and many other ways. Many dogs even enjoy this veggie as a treat or on top of their typical food. The point is, zucchini is perfectly safe to feed your dogs.
Just because it is safe doesn’t mean you should feed your dog large amounts of it. Just like any other human food, there are things you should know before trying to feed your dog this veggie.
The Benefits of Zucchini for Dogs
There are several benefits of eating this veggie as a human, but your pup can benefit from eating this food as well.
Packed with Antioxidants
Zucchini is packed full of antioxidants, which are plant compounds that protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause long-term harm to the body, both in animals and humans. Free radicals can not only damage cells and DNA but speed up the aging process. Carotenoids give the vegetable its color and protect against free radicals.
Aids Digestion
Zucchini is filled with water, which can help aid digestion and lessen constipation. This food is also packed full of fiber (both soluble and insoluble), further aiding digestion. Insoluble fiber draws water into the stool, while soluble fiber feeds beneficial bacteria that create short-chain fatty acids in the gut. These acids reduce the chance of gut disorders like colitis.
Nutrient-Dense
Zucchini has many beneficial nutrients. It’s rich in manganese, lutein, and vitamins A, C, and B6. This food also contains magnesium, copper, and phosphorus.
