If your dog has a sensitive intestine, or just needs to lose a few pounds, chicory is the perfect vegetable to include in his diet (and ours too!).
The ancient Romans already knew its beneficial properties. In fact, it is not only rich in precious components such as fibers, vitamins and minerals, but it is also sustainable: the dog can eat all parts of the plants, including the roots (and they do it very well)!
So let’s find out how to try the chicory for dogs to fully exploit the potential of this vegetable.
Can i give chicory to dogs?
Absolutely Yes! Like many other vegetables, it can be easily added to a dog’s diet. On the contrary, it is particularly suitable for obese subjects and with intestinal problems.
It thanks to its components, plays several useful actions for Fido’s health:
- slimming,
- detoxifying,
- intestinal function enhancer
- moisturizing,
- antioxidant.
Also known as “wild radicchio”, it belongs to the same family of radicchio and lettuce (Asteraceae) and like its sisters, it is a source of precious nutrients.
But that’s not all:
Here are the main components that make it a healthy vegetable for our dog.
The fiber
Like all vegetables, the fibrous portion is a very important component even in the 4 legs, to preserve intestinal motility and consequently the functionality of the gastrointestinal system.
These vegetables are especially useful for combating constipation, but also obesity, thanks to the sense of satiety it provides.
Vitamins and minerals
These vegetables are also good for the dog for the intake of minerals such as Potassium, Calcium, Sodium, Phosphorus and Magnesium, as well as Copper, Zinc and Iron.
This green leafy vegetable also provides valuable vitamins: C and E which counteract free radicals, K for blood clotting and B1 which helps keep the mind young.
Source of prebiotics
L’inulin is a natural prebiotic produced by plants belonging to the same chicory family, the Asteraceae.
Prebiotics provide the ideal nourishment for the growth of probiotics, and more generally of the dog’s intestinal microbiota, which are essential for its proper functioning.
In chicory they are the roots are the main source of inulin.
Chicoric acid
L’chicoric acid it is a natural antibacterial important for maintaining the hygiene of the mouth and gums.
If Fido is prone to inflammation of the oral cavity, chewing these vegetables could be a good remedy.
Unfortunately it has a slightly bitter taste, therefore very often including these vegetables in the dog’s diet can be a failure from a taste point of view. So how do you prepare chicory for your dog?
How to give chicory to your dog?
This vegetable can also be given raw, but cooked (therefore boiled) is certainly more appreciated. And the food zero waste perfect for Fido: when you buy this vegetable, buy the bundle with the whole root, which is rich in nutrients for our friend!
Ecco some tips to prepare it cotta:
- Wash the entire plant from soil residues well,
- cut it into small pieces
- boil it
- mix it with the rest of the baby food
During cooking you can add a pinch of bicarbonate which will help soften it and dilute the bitter taste.
When to give chicory to dogs?
Giving chicory to the dog is particularly recommended when our friend:
- she needs to lose weight
- has a sensitive intestine
In fact, several dog foods on the market are formulated using these vegetables as a secondary ingredient.
However, if this vegetable is included in the home diet, it is always important moderate the amount of vegetables balancing them correctly with animal proteins.
So never go overboard with chicory for dogs, or the beneficial effects on the gut could have the opposite result!