Often when it comes to vegetables, one wonders if the same foods that are healthy for us are also healthy for our 4-legged friends. For example: you can give fennel for dogs?
Here’s everything you need to know to avoid health problems and ensure your dog has the right, healthy and balanced diet.
Can Dogs Eat Fennel?
The answer is yes, dogs can eat fennel. Obviously it should be served in the right ration and not as a substitute for proteins and carbohydrates. Fennel has many qualitieswhich are recognized in the veterinary field as very useful for the health of the dog.
Therefore, those who prefer a homemade diet for their friend Fido, instead of the commercial one, made up of croquettes and canned food, can serve fennel as a vegetable part of the daily ration.
The only precaution is to Follow the doctor’s instructionsalways fundamental when it comes to DIY diet, in terms of quantity.
Is fennel good or bad for dogs?
When fennel is bad for dogs
A too large portion of fennel can cause diarrhea and, moreover, if the animal is not used to eating it, it must be gradually integrated in his diet, a rule that applies to the introduction of any new food, approved by the veterinarian.
In fact, vegetables can be laxatives, especially fennel, so especially if your dog is old and used to a certain type of food, he must eat only small amounts of fennel. This will avoid any type of gastro-digestive problem, such as slow and abundant stools.
When fennel is good for dogs
On the other hand, if served in the right quantities, fennel will help prevent cancer – thanks to its antioxidant effect – it will regulate your digestive system and bring a significant amount of iron and calcium to your body.
Finally, it has been proven that fennel reduces intestinal gas in dogs, but if you notice excessive flatulence, it could mean that the animal is slightly intolerant to the food, so speak to your vet.
How to give fennel to the dog?
Dog raw fennel
Raw fennel can be given to dogs, even as small ones prize tidbit. Of course, like so many vegetables sold fresh at the greengrocer, it may have some pesticide residues on its surface.
Before serving it raw it is always good wash it thoroughly with clean water and baking soda, to avoid any type of health risk.
Boiled fennel for dogs
Boiled fennel can be given to dogs and in some cases it is even better than raw fennel. If on the one hand, in fact, it is true that cooking destroys some nutrients that remain intact in fresh food, on the other makes fennel more digestible.
Its crunchiness, in fact, can make fennel slightly difficult to digest and therefore cause greater flatulence or abdominal swelling. These are rare cases, above all because the recommended dose of fennel to serve to the dog is very minimal, but cooking can be very useful in all cases.
For any doubts, however, rely on the opinion of your doctor who, once you have analyzed your dog’s eating habits, his general clinical picture and age, will be able to advise you on what to do and how to serve fennel to dogs.
Can you give fennel seeds to dogs?
Not only can dogs eat fennel because it’s good for them, but also its seeds. It is precisely the latter that have a positive effect on the digestive system of the dog. In fact, fennel seeds have proved to be an excellent aid in combating episodes of intestinal bloating and flatulence in dogs and, being more digestible than the vegetable itself, they are also preferable as an addition to the home diet of man’s best friend.
On the advice of the veterinarian, they can be added to the animal’s daily diet, even if made from commercial food and not home-made. Enough sprinkle a pinch in the bowl of Fido, to help him regulate his intestines.
The benefits of giving fennel to dogs
According to veterinarians, dogs can eat fennel because this type of vegetable has many qualities:
- AND rich in phytonutrients, useful for preserving the animal’s body in health, just like for humans;
- prevents cancer;
- is an excellent source of vitamins such as vitamin C e la B3;
- it is a source of fiber, magnesium, potassium, manganese, pantothenic acid.
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Article reviewed by:
Francesco Reina
Veterinary assistant