Yes, dogs can eat raw zucchini in moderation. It is packed with essential nutrients. The mild taste of raw zucchini is best for dogs. In addition, raw zucchini keeps the dog hydrated, which keeps the overall gut health of the dog. As a responsible pet parent, provide your dog with a healthy diet.
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What is Raw Zucchini?
Zucchini, otherwise called courgette and baby marrow, is a summer squash. Zucchini is a vining herbaceous plant whose seeds and rind are soft and delicious. It is related to, but not similar to, the marrow, and its ripe fruit may be named marrow.
The golden zucchini is a bright yellow or orange color, while the regular zucchini is any shade of green. They may reach about 1 meter (3 feet) in length when fully mature. However, they are usually picked at around 15–25 cm (6–10 in).
Are Raw Zucchini Safe for Dogs?
Zucchini is safe to consume for dogs. They don’t have a lot of side effects unless it is overfed to them. However, things you must avoid:
Seasoned zucchini is unhealthy for dogs due to the ingredients present in it. In addition, seasoned zucchini can lead to diarrhea, dehydration, even death.
Suppose your dog is a picky eater. In that case, zucchini may not be a good addition as the flavor and texture may be unpleasant for them.
You can add zucchini to pasta or other commercial dog foods in small quantities to get your dog used to the flavor.
Are Raw Zucchini Good for Dogs?
Yes, raw zucchini is suitable for dogs due to the presence of vital nutrients. Raw zucchinis are low in fat and calories, making them an excellent choice for dogs, especially with obesity. Let us see how raw zucchini helps a dog:
Antioxidants: Raw zucchini is filled with antioxidants that help fight the free radicals. It helps slow the aging process and also helps in keeping the cells from damaging. Zucchinis also contain carotenoids, one of the most important antioxidants that help in maintaining blood sugar and insulin levels.
Helps in Digestion: Constipation is relieved by eating zucchini, which also softens the stool. In addition, zucchini includes both soluble and insoluble fiber. By pulling water into the stool, insoluble fiber bulks up the stool and relieves constipation.
Soluble fiber nourishes the gut bacteria that produce Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs). This lowers your risk of developing a gastrointestinal issue such as the leaky gut, inflammatory bowel disease, or colitis.
Weight Loss: Fiber aids in the reduction of hunger and the sensation of fullness. Zucchini is also a low-glycemic food, which helps to reduce blood sugar spikes in your dog.
Vitamins:
Vitamin A: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble essential vitamin that promotes bone development, reproduction, cellular differentiation, and immune response in dogs.
Vitamin B6: While Vitamin B6 for dogs can help with several things, one of the most important functions is supporting amino acid metabolism. It may also aid in the maintenance of good bladder health.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can assist your dog’s body to eliminate dangerous free radicals, support healthy aging, and reduce inflammation. Vitamin C can also aid your dog’s immune function, increase energy, and relieve UTIs.
Vitamin K: Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin for dogs required to create coagulation proteins necessary for blood clotting. Vitamin K1, also known as phylloquinone, is the principal dietary source of Vitamin K since it is generated in plants and obtained from food or supplements.
Zinc: Zinc is a crucial element of your dog’s diet since it helps them have healthy skin and fur, as well as a healthy thyroid and immune system. Dogs, like other animals and humans, cannot generate vitamins and minerals on their own. Therefore, they must eat foods that contain them.
Manganese: Manganese is required for dogs to create energy, digest protein, carbs, and synthesize fatty acids. In addition, manganese is an essential component of many enzymes and aids in the health and preservation of bone and cartilage in joints.
Magnesium: At the cellular level, magnesium is involved in energy generation. Magnesium is required to allow the passage of energy whenever your pet moves a muscle or has a heartbeat.
Copper: Copper is necessary to grow bones, connective tissue, collagen, and myelin in dogs (the protective covering of nerves). Copper also aids in absorbing iron, making it an essential component of red blood cell activity.
Phosphorus: Phosphorus serves a variety of functions in the canine body. This element works in tandem with calcium to keep bones and teeth healthy; in fact, the teeth and bones store 86 percent of the phosphorus in a dog’s body. Phosphorus also stimulates the kidneys, which aids in the removal of harmful pollutants from the body.
Why Are Raw Zucchini Bad for Dogs?
Zucchini can be exceedingly bitter and potentially poisonous in rare situations. Cucurbitacins, a biochemical found in plants, are to blame.
Bitter Zucchini: The bitterness in the zucchini comes from cucurbitacins. Consuming too much of that would cause:
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdomen irritation
Diarrhea
How Much Raw Zucchini to Feed Your Dog?
Dogs under the age of six weeks have undeveloped digestive systems and may be intolerant to raw or solid food.
Your dog’s food should contain 10% fruits and vegetables, but if they are ill or anxious, you can give them more. All you have to do is find out what 10% of your pet’s diet is and keep within that range. Consider the following scenario:
You have a big dog who consumes four cups of food every day. Allow 0.4 cups of zucchini every day for them.
You own a little dog who eats one cup of food every day. Each day, allow 0.1 cups of zucchini.
What If My Dog Ate Raw Zucchini?
There is nothing to panic about over-consumption of raw zucchini. You need to provide your dog with enough water to ease his stomach and relieve himself frequently. The consequences which a dog faces if he overeats raw zucchini are:
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
This is due to the excess amount of fiber content in your dog’s body. You can take your dog to the vet for medications. You should follow the bland diet which the vet will provide.
Keep raw zucchini out of your dog’s reach.
How to Serve Raw Zucchini to Your Dog?
Serving big pieces of raw zucchini causes choking hazards in dogs. Hence, chop zucchini into tiny pieces or steam it for dogs who find difficulty in chewing. Also, you can shred the raw zucchini and serve it alongside your dog’s kibble.
You can roast, bake, or add sliced/ grated zucchini to homemade dog food. Kindly avoid adding seasonings such as oils, garlic or onion powder to your dog meal.
You can also thinly slice the raw zucchini and freeze it. This makes a perfect occasional treat to your pet.
Remember, the raw zucchini must not be bitter and an entire zucchini is not recommended for your dog.
Alternatives to Raw Zucchini
Some of the healthy alternatives for your dog are:
Zucchini squash is safe for your dog to eat. In addition, the squash will be an appealing and pleasant treat for a dog because zucchini has a mild flavor.
No, dogs should not eat zucchini bread, as they lead to intestinal disorder.
Can dogs eat zucchini skin?
No, dogs should not eat zucchini skin as dogs cannot digest them.
Can Dogs Eat Zucchini Noodles?
Yes, you can feed dogs noodles with shredded or sliced raw zucchini. Any kind of noodle is safe for most dogs who are free from gluten allergies. Avoid the commercial pasta sauce as it has seasonings and spices such as onion, garlic, pepper, salt, and sugar.
Conclusion
Raw zucchini is packed with essential nutrients, and they benefit your dog primarily. Providing shredded raw zucchini in moderation along with the kibble can be very helpful to your dog. You should avoid bitter raw zucchini as they may lead to nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting in dogs. Instead, offer your dog a healthy and happy life.
