Can I give My Dog Lettuce
Dog owners are always worried about what food is safe for their dog. Giving peoples food to dog’s is not advisable, because some peoples food can cause gastrointestinal distress or even toxic poisoning. Like for example veggies. Veggies are loaded with vitamins and minerals and it is a good idea to include veggies as a part of you canine friend’s diet. But what veggies are safe for your dog? Many dog owners want to know if they can give lettuce to their dog.
Lettuce is a green leafy vegetable with amazing health and healing benefits. Do you want to know if you can give your dog lettuce? Then read on…
The answer is yes, but limited
Giving some lettuce is safe for your, because some dogs enjoy eating lettuce, though it is advisable to give only limited quantity. Some dogs will have difficulty in digesting lettuce and too much of lettuce can cause digestive problems. So let’s see how lettuce can be beneficial to your dog.
How good is lettuce for dogs?
Most dogs love to eat lettuce, though some of them prefer the ribs or the crunchier part. Giving lettuce to your dog once in a while is ok, but it is not the best vegetable for their health, as it has low nutritional value when compared to other vegetables. So if you are looking for nutritional benefits, then lettuce is not a good choice.
But lettuce has some benefits too. It is a rich source of fiber and fiber helps in promoting regular bowel. Lettuce can be given to dogs suffering from constipation, because fiber absorbs water creating smoother stools. At the same time, fiber also helps dogs suffering from diarrhea.
Lettuce is also low in calories and hence it can help to control weight. If your dog is over-weight, give him lettuce occasionally, because the fiber content in lettuce makes your dog fell full and thus making him eat less and get rid of those extra pounds.
Another benefit of fiber rich lettuce is that it reduces the risk of colon cancer.
Lettuce which is rich in moisture helps to keep your dog’s body hydrated, especially during summer when the climate is really hot.
What type of lettuce to give my dog?
There are seven types of lettuce – Leaf, Romaine, Iceberg, butterhead, Summercrisp, Stem and Oilseed. And, you can give your dog Romaine lettuce or Iceberg lettuce, though Romaine lettuce is more nutritious than Iceberg lettuce as it is rich in antioxidants and certain vitamins and minerals.
How to give my dog lettuce?
Wash the lettuce thoroughly to remove any chemicals. Steam the lettuce and chop it into small pieces and add them to your dog’s food. When the lettuce is steamed, it becomes soft and easy to chew. Also steamed lettuce will be gentle on your dog’s stomach. Avoid the salad dressing because it has a lot of calories and can increase the weight of your dog. Plain steamed lettuce is the right choice. Give your dog only small amount of lettuce because over consumption of lettuce can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems.
So you can give your dog lettuce but in limited amount. First give him a small amount and if he does not develop any indigestion problem, you can increase the amount a little more, but don’t make it a regular diet.
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