Today’s question: can dogs eat lettuce? Is lettuce good or bad for dogs? Scroll down for detailed answers.
Eating healthy food and eating close to the ground has become a way of life for many people across the globe. Eating foods grown in dirt, cleaned at home, and served raw are leading diets and nutritionists around the world to a healthier way of life. Lettuce is one of the foods that many seem to be drawn to more than others. Lettuce is grown in pure ground, often without chemicals and pesticides. Lettuce free of chemicals offers a bit of nutrition and a lot of hydration to those who incorporate the leaf into their diet.
Lettuce maybe used in many ways to boost ones diet. Usually, lettuce is incorporated into a salad. The leaves of the salad make the base and foundation in which other veggies and nuts may be added. Lettuce is also added to sandwiches and can be used in lieu of bread by those looking to limit their carb intake. The extremely low calorie count allows eaters to enjoy this veggie atop most any meal without any guilt of potential weight gain or sugar intake. Lettuce has a plain taste but can be enjoyed with or without seasonings and dip. This leafy green veggie is relatively easy to grow, buy, and find at local markets. The head of lettuce is multi purposeful food and easy to transport, making it an easy choice to pick up when doing the shopping.
We are always striving to eat healthily, avoid fast food and everything that is processed. Dogs also need to keep to a healthy diet to remain in good condition for their whole life. It is a bit more expensive to buy healthier food but in the long run, but eating healthfully will definitely save your life and make you less exposed to different conditions. This is also valid for our canine friends. Lettuce is one of the healthiest leafy greens out there, but can dogs eat lettuce?
You will be surprised to find out that if you are making a sandwich or a salad with lettuce, your dog may be interested in it too. Moreover, if you are turning your back on the food for a second, your dog can easily “attack” a head of lettuce and eat everything. Why? Because most dogs will enjoy eating lettuce, whether the leafy green is combined with other foods or eaten on its own.
Can Dogs Eat Lettuce Or Is It Bad For Them?
As you could guess, it is safe to give lettuce to your dog. Any variety of lettuce is actually safe. Whether you opt for iceberg, romaine or other types, eating lettuce should not be a problem. Your dog my end up playing with it, or s/he could actually eat it. Your pet might enjoy the softer part of this leafy green or he may also like the crunchier parts. Eaten as a head of lettuce, or licked up clean as shreds of lettuce, your dog will not be particular mindful of the type of lettuce s/he is eating or whether the lettuce itself is clean. Do your pet a favor and be sure the lettuce is clean and free of chemicals before offering to your dog. Also, chop the lettuce into bits or offer in small leaves to reduce choking risk and to ensure your dog chews.
To determine the type of lettuce your dog prefers (if a preference is existent) just give him/her the pieces of lettuce types separately. Offering romaine and iceberg separately, you will see exactly what parts of the lettuce s/he likes the best. Some dogs will only eat the lettuce with dressing on it. Usually, dressings contain a lot of calories. If you do not want your dog to gain any more pounds, you should consider avoiding the dressing. Dressing also contains a lot of sugar and could pose a risk to your dog. Dogs do not need to eat any food with added sugar due to their risk for obesity and diabetes. If your pup refuses lettuce, allow him/her to not eat the lettuce. Do not feel as though you need to dip the lettuce in ranch and give to your dog as you give lettuce to a human. Your dog will be fine without lettuce and better off without dressing and dips.
While giving your dog lettuce may be deemed a hydrating and nutritional treat on occasion, dogs cannot eat too much lettuce. Overindulging in lettuce will cause diarrhea and other digestive problems. Small amount of lettuce is fine for them. Do not offer your dog a salad with his/her kibble. Shredding a lettuce topping onto their food is fine, or offering a lettuce leaf as you are preparing a meal is the only way in which to offer the food to your dog without overindulging. If your dog has eaten an entire head of lettuce, or taken a salad off the table, be sure to call your vet immediately to ensure you know the symptoms to look for if your dog becomes sick. Watch for any unusual behaviors and be sure to keep your dog comfortable until the lettuce passes through its system. Dogs have a faster digestive system than humans, so the lettuce may end up passing through his/her belly rather quickly, thereby alleviating any potential hazards or painful belly aches. Keeping your dog outside for a while after over indulging in lettuce may work to your advantage while you wait out his/her symptoms.
If you would like to make lettuce a healthy addition to the diet of your dog, you can start adding one spoonful of pureed or shredded lettuce to your dog’s regular food. This way, his/her digestive system has time to adjust. If your pooch tolerates the lettuce without having a diarrhea or vomiting, you can slowly increase the serving size and introduce other leafy greens into his diet. Another option is to steam the lettuce. Some dogs may be sensitive to raw vegetables which are harder to digest. Steaming makes it gentler for their stomachs. Steaming also allows the lettuce to become softer and easier to chew. Dogs are meat eaters and generally do not have trouble chewing tough items, however, if you have a pooch with teeth problems, or is elderly, offering soft foods may be a nice alternative to the crunchy bones.
How Is Lettuce Impacting Your Dog’s Health
So, now that we know that it is okay to give your dog lettuce, let’s find out about the lettuce benefits for dogs. What are the properties that would impact your dog’s state of health?
Lettuce is a bit of a filler food, used as bases or toppings, not as a particular important food on its own. Due to the lower amounts of vitamins within the lettuce, one of the most popular benefits of lettuce is hydration. The leafy green harbors a lot of water in the leaves, which when ingested, turn into a water source for your dog’s body. This is a good idea to have during the hot summer months. In the event your dog will not take water, or you do not have time to offer a bowl of water to your dog, you may offer bits of lettuce and allow the hydration to keep your dog healthy until proper drinking of water can be had.
Unlike other leafy greens, lettuce is a bit poorer when it comes to nutrients, but this does not mean that there are not any nutrients. Let’s take the example of Romaine lettuce. This wonderful leafy green is filled with vitamin K, vitamin A, and folate. It is also packed with vitamin C, beta-carotene and has small amounts of other vitamins which will only bring benefits to your furry friend. Yoru dog may need to eat quite a bit to gain the benefits of these vitamins, but over time, as you increase the serving size, your dog will begin to receive a benefit from the veggie.
Lettuce is also an amazing source of fibers, which are essential when it comes to the digestive system. Why is fiber so important? Because fiber are the minerals that will maintain the constant movement of the bowels, an essential action for an efficient digestive process that also boosts immunity for your pet.
A Leafy Treat
You can give your dog lettuce as a treat. As previously mentioned, you can give the lettuce as it is or combine it with other ingredients. We recommend mixing it with other foods so that your canine friend will be able to enjoy it completely.
Here, we have put together a quick and easy recipe:
Ingredients needed:
- Lettuce
- Cheese (make sure to test if your dog can eat cheese, many dogs are lactose intolerant and don’t do well eating cheese)
- Spinach
- Treats for the dog – any types of treats your dog usually enjoys eating
Preparation method:
- Take a large bowl and place the cheese and the lettuce after you have managed to previously chop them off. Mix them together.
- Add the dog treats and the spinach and mix a bit more. There you have it – the best lettuce treat for your dog.
You can eventually obtain a larger amount of salad, but you do not have to give him everything at once. Instead, place a small portion in his bowl. As for the dog treats you are adding in, they could be of different types (whatever you have in hand). Add a bit of bacon too and make it more tasty and special. The remains of this salad need to be properly covered and can be stored in the fridge for a couple of days.
Dogs can eat lettuce and it is actually good for them. However, if you have any questions or concerns, you should consult with the vet first.
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References:
http://pawster.com/can-dogs-eat-lettuce/
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