Using Carrots as Digestive Aid for Dogs
Does your dog like to "graze" Dogs are known for eating long strands of grass to correct digestive upsets, either to "package" things for easy regurgitation or to reduce transit time through the gut to elimination.
Carrot strips can be used instead of grass to help with digestion. When given in strips, as they pass out of the stomach, carrots help trigger the gall bladder to empty bile into the intestines. They then act as an indigestible fiber matrix to carry toxins out. They reduce the transit time to lessen reabsorption of toxins. They encourage better peristalsis or gut movement to improve gut muscle tone; they also clean the gut lining and clear the digestive tract. All this happens without causing diarrhea or adding calories!
Use a carrot peeler to make long strips, just keep "peeling" the carrot until you have a pile of strips. They can be pre-made and will keep nicely for several days in the refrigerator. Even small dogs can consume one or more carrots daily. Most dogs will eat them plain, but if not, you can add yogurt or ranch dressing to help entice them to eat. The strips should be offered several times a day between regular meals. Carrots can also help reduce a dog?s weight, and after dogs develop a taste for them, they can be a great treat or even training bait.
Finally, carrot-filled poops are much easier to find in the yard (international orange marker) and are much less offensive and sticky to clean up (even off of shoes!).
Thanks to Judith M. Shoemaker, DVM, Equine Services, Inc., Nottingham, PA, [email protected]