Can Dogs Eat Carrots?

Yes, and a million times yes—dogs can eat carrots! They are not only a delicious and healthy snack, but they are also great for your dog’s teeth and gums!

Table Of Contents

Just how good are carrots for dogs?
The benefits of carrots for dogs
Can dogs eat raw carrots?
Can dogs eat cooked carrots?
How to safely feed carrots to your dog
Different types of carrots and how good they are for dogs
Can dogs eat whole carrots, including the peel and tops?
- Dogs can eat carrot peels
FAQs

Munching on carrots was one of the best snacking decisions I made for myself personally. I have been on quite a health journey, and you won’t believe just how much my grocery shopping list has changed since I started eating an anti-inflammatory diet and just how different our fridge inventory looks!

Marko (my husband) and I started buying carrots weekly and began cooking them for Ricco! We usually give Ricco dog food, including high-quality kibbles, wet food, and some dog treats, but we also make cooked carrots with meat for him! Carrots are definitely great for dogs, and they have many health benefits. Even though your dog will get complete nutrients from dog food, it’s still good to know why carrots are such a great choice!

Just how good are carrots for dogs?

I’m going to dig deeper into the nutritional benefits below, but first, I want to mention that carrots are great for your dog’s dental health!

It’s good to know that raw carrots can help your dog clean their teeth and keep their gums healthy, so you don’t need to buy dental treats from the pet shop!

Many dog owners struggle with brushing their dog’s teeth (myself included), and it’s no wonder that so many dogs over the age of 3 end up with some sort of dental issues. If you don’t clean the dental plaque (if you don’t brush your dog’s teeth), it will mineralize and form tartar. Then you’re doomed, as the only way you can remove tartar is to get it done professionally. So, even a small thing like eating carrots can help your dog.

Don’t worry if they don’t eat the whole carrot but rather spend time chewing and munching. It’s a fun activity for them, and it’s still good for their teeth.

The benefits of carrots for dogs

Now, let’s talk about the nutritional benefits of carrots for dogs. We all know that even Bugs Bunny ate carrots because they are good for eye health (you can tell I’m a millennial!), but carrots are a good source of beta-carotene and have so many vitamins and minerals that really contribute to overall health.

Beta-carotene: Carrots have beta-carotene, a substance that converts to vitamin A in the body. It’s a nutrient vital for maintaining healthy eyes, vision, and the immune system, as well as healthy skin and coat! It also helps fight inflammation!

Vitamin K: Carrots have vitamin K, which helps with healing, overcoming injuries, and managing blood clotting.

Potassium: Carrots also have potassium, an essential mineral that helps regulate fluid balance and supports healthy muscle function and nerve functions.

Can dogs eat raw carrots?

Dogs can eat raw carrots, and they can chew them and clean their teeth, but since carrots are a bit harder to chew on (harder than apples or maybe other vegetables like cucumbers), small dogs may have a hard time eating a raw carrot.

If you cut it into small pieces, then be careful, as there’s a risk of choking. Your dog might follow the logic of “If I can’t chew it, I’ll swallow it whole,” and you definitely don’t want that!

So, larger dogs can definitely eat raw carrots without supervision, but for smaller dogs, you may want to give them a whole carrot to chew on so they can enjoy the fresh taste and clean their teeth. And if they don’t eat it whole and leave it half-chewed, that’s perfectly okay!

Can dogs eat cooked carrots?

Yes, dogs can definitely eat cooked carrots, and this is the best way to serve carrots to dogs. Cooking softens them, which solves the problem of carrots being hard to chew and digest.

Cooking carrots (soft boiling or oven baking without extra oils) preserves the nutrients, so your dog will still get the good stuff.

Cooked carrots with rice and beef are my go-to recipe for Ricco’s special meal! I usually make this when I cook for us, but I take out a small portion without extra seasonings and garlic (I love beef with lots of garlic and rosemary, which I can’t share with my dog).

Cooked carrots, along with cooked pumpkin or sweet potato, can be a good meal to give your dog if they have digestive issues. I wrote about these veggies in detail, so you can check the links to learn more.

Many pet owners ask if dogs can eat carrots when they have diarrhea! They absolutely can! Cooked carrots are not only rich in fiber, which will help with diarrhea, but they are also comforting and soothing to their stomach and can help balance digestion so things get back to normal!

How to safely feed carrots to your dog

Cooking carrots is the safest way of feeding your dog, but if you serve them raw, please, please, please be careful!

Cut them into bite-sized pieces, and if your dog is a gulper, like mine, cut them even smaller so they will chew and swallow them normally.

You can also give them a whole carrot and let them make a mess. It’s fun!

Different types of carrots and how good they are for dogs

All carrots are safe for dogs! So, no matter what you’re cooking, whether it’s purple or yellow carrots, they are all fine for dogs!

Orange carrots – Dogs can absolutely eat orange carrots, the most common type we all think of!

Purple carrots – Even though they have a funky color, purple carrots are absolutely safe for dogs. These carrots have extra antioxidants called anthocyanins, which also play a role in maintaining good health. So not only can dogs eat purple carrots, but they also come with an extra benefit!

Yellow and white carrots – Yellow and white carrots are not that common, but they are also safe for dogs and can be part of various dishes!

Can dogs eat whole carrots, including the peel and tops?

Now, so far, we’ve talked about how you can give carrots to your dog, but I know—and I know this firsthand from my parents’ garden—that sometimes dogs want to take matters into their own hands (paws, haha) and dig up carrots.

Then they’ll eat them with dirt, with peels, and tops, so let’s break down whether these parts are safe!

By the way, this can also happen if your dog likes to inspect your shopping bags or rummage through your trash, kind of like a raccoon would!

Dogs can eat carrot peels, carrot tops, and even carrot stems, and unpeeled carrots are also perfectly safe for them. None of these parts are toxic to dogs, so you don’t have to worry. Just keep in mind that if you have a smaller dog, carrot tops and stems can be tough to chew and digest, which may result in an upset stomach.

Dogs can eat carrot peels

Carrot peels are also perfectly fine—the only problem you’ll have is if they are unwashed, especially if you don’t grow your own carrots (pesticides are not cool!). Otherwise, all parts of carrots are okay for dogs!

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs eat baby carrots?

Yes, dogs can eat baby carrots! They’re basically regular carrots, so they are safe, nutritious, and a great low-calorie snack.

Can dogs eat pickled carrots?

No, dogs should probably skip the pickled carrots. Pickled veggies often come with lots of salt, vinegar, and sometimes spices, which aren’t great for a dog’s stomach and could lead to digestive issues. Stick to fresh or cooked carrots instead.

Can dogs eat frozen carrots?

Yep, frozen carrots are totally safe for dogs. They can even be a fun, refreshing treat—especially on hot days. Frozen carrots are also awesome for teething puppies because they help soothe sore gums.

Can diabetic dogs eat carrots?

Yes, diabetic dogs can eat carrots, but you need to talk to your vet about a complete diet plan! Carrots have natural sugars that can still affect blood sugar levels.

Can dogs eat canned sliced carrots?

Yes, dogs can eat canned sliced carrots, but it’s best only to buy low-sodium or no-salt-added versions.