Carrots are a popular food among humans, and they’re rich in nutrients and low-cost, so many Shiba Inu owners wonder if they can feed their Shiba Inus carrots.
The short answer is yes, you can feed carrots to your Shiba Inus. However, there are lots of questions around feeding your Shiba Inu carrots. Will the carrot be too hard for the Shiba Inu to chew? Are carrots good for the teeth? Can you give baby carrots to your Shiba Inu? Are carrots OK for Shiba Inus with sensitive stomachs? How much carrot can I give my Shiba Inu at one time?
In this article, we’ll answer every question regarding feeding your Shiba Inu carrots. Let’s start by answering the most important question:
Are carrots safe for Shiba Inus?
Yes, carrots are safe for Shiba Inus.
Carrots are a great source of Vitamin A and beta carotene, among other nutrients. They’re also an excellent source of fiber and lower in sugar than many other fruits and vegetables.
However, it’s best to introduce them slowly into your Shiba Inu’s diet, as some Shiba Inus can develop a food intolerance to new foods given to their diets all at once. Cooked carrots are easier to digest for Shiba Inus than raw ones, though a mixture of both is fine as well.
If you’ve never fed your Shiba Inu carrots before and are concerned about introducing them for the first time, watch for any abnormal signs; rare but some Shiba Inus can show a food intolerance or allergic reaction when first introduced to new foods. If you observe any abnormal symptoms, discontinue feeding and call your veterinarian.
Benefits of carrots in Shiba Inus
Carrots can be a great way to get your Shiba Inu the nutrients they need.
They’re loaded with vitamin A, which is important for vision and skin health. They also contain vitamin K, which helps keep blood clotting and wound healing at healthy levels, as well as B vitamins like thiamine (for cell health and digestion) and pyridoxine (for nerve function).
Carrots are also an excellent source of fiber, which helps to regulate digestion and prevent blockages in the stomach or intestines. They contain several minerals including calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.
And finally, carrots are a good source of lycopene—a powerful antioxidant that protects against sun damage and might help lower your Shiba Inu’s risk of cancer and heart disease.
Do all Shiba Inus like carrots?
Are you one of those people who thinks that all Shiba Inus like carrots? We hate to break it to you, but unfortunately, your Shiba Inu may not be a fan. Like humans, Shiba Inus have food preferences. That’s not to say that all Shiba Inus dislike carrots, but we would strongly advise against forcing them down your pup’s throat. If your Shiba Inu is leaving his carrots untouched in the bowl, it’s time to rethink this whole thing and consult with your vet before introducing a new food to Fido.
Can my Shiba Inus have carrots every day?
There’s no rule on how often Shiba Inus can eat carrots. As long as you’re feeding them the recommended amount, and your Shiba Inu likes the taste, you can feed him carrots every day.
That being said, we recommend varying his treats because Shiba Inus can get bored with having the same treats every day. Different treats contain different nutrients, so it’s a good idea to give your Shiba Inu a variety of healthy snacks to ensure he’s getting all the vitamins and minerals he needs. You should also make sure that the snacks you give your Shiba Inu don’t exceed 10% of his total daily calories.
Can Shiba Inu puppies eat carrots?
Shiba Inu puppies can eat carrots as long as they are over two months of age. Puppies under two months should be fed a specialized puppy diet and should not be introduced to foods outside of their diet.
Once your puppy is old enough, you can start by offering them just a small bite of cooked carrots once or twice a week. Be careful, though! Puppies have very delicate digestive systems, so you will want to consult with your veterinarian before changing their diet.
How many carrots can Shiba Inus eat?
If you think your Shiba Inu could benefit from eating carrots, it’s a good idea to get the opinion of your veterinarian first. They can recommend portion sizes according to your Shiba Inu’s age, size and activity level.
As a general rule of thumb, smaller breeds (<20 lbs) can be given a few carrot bites or 1 baby carrot as a treat. Larger breeds (>20 lbs) can safely eat 2/3 baby carrots as a special treat.
It is important to remember that Shiba Inus need a completely balanced diet and treats should not make up over 10% of their total caloric intake.
How to serve carrots to your Shiba Inus?
Carrots are a tasty, versatile treat that can be fed to your Shiba Inu in a variety of different ways. After checking with your veterinarian, you might serve carrots as raw grated carrot, juiced carrot, frozen carrot, or cooked carrot.
When serving raw grated carrots, wash the whole carrot thoroughly and then grate it into pieces that are small enough for your Shiba Inu to eat. Give them the grated carrot like this and they will love it!
Juicing carrots is an excellent way to serve them to your Shiba Inu. Grate carrots into a blender and add water until the mixture is totally liquid and smooth. Pour the juice into ice-cube trays and freeze them overnight. When you’re ready to serve, pop out a few cubes of carrot juice and let them defrost until they’re soft enough for your Shiba Inu’s teeth. They’ll love the icy treat!
You can also give your Shiba Inu frozen carrots as a snack or reward. Wash whole carrots thoroughly and put them in the freezer overnight; when frozen, remove from the freezer and give a few at a time to your Shiba Inu as a cool summer treat.
Finally, you can also cook carrots for your Shiba Inu if they prefer their food warmer or softer.
When are carrots bad for Shiba Inus?
Carrots are a great treat for Shiba Inus. They are full of fiber, low in sugar, and have potassium and vitamin A—all good things for your pup! That said, there are some things to keep in mind.
First, give all treats in moderation. Too many carrots could cause your Shiba Inu’s digestive system to slow down and even create blockages. You should also avoid giving carrots to your Shiba Inu if they have allergies or diabetes, as the high fibers and sugars could aggravate their conditions.
You’ll also want to avoid commercial canned carrots (like you might use in human recipes), which can contain harmful additives like salt that might make your pup sick. If you’re looking for an easy way to add carrots to your Shiba Inu’s diet, look for a brand of Shiba Inu food that has carrots added. Or better yet, wash them off and give them as is! Just make sure you cut them into small pieces so they’re not a choking hazard for your pup.
What happens when your Shiba Inu eats too many carrots?
Symptoms of overeating carrots in Shiba Inus
Carrots are a great and healthy snack for your Shiba Inu. But just like with humans, too many carrots can be bad for your pup. Here’s what to look out for:
Nausea: Carrots are a root veggie, so they contain a lot of insoluble fiber. If your Shiba Inu eats a lot of carrots at once, they may feel nauseous afterward because of the indigestibility of that much fiber.
Diarrhea: Insoluble fiber is also to blame for diarrhea. Your Shiba Inu may have loose stools, which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting.
Abdominal Pain: The extra fructose in carrots can cause abdominal pain and bloating if your Shiba Inu eats too many at once.
Obesity: Carrots are high in sugar, so feeding your Shiba Inu too many can cause them to gain weight quickly. Obesity in Shiba Inus has been linked to shorter lifespans, so it is important to feed them carrots in moderation.
Choking Hazards: Carrots give off carbon dioxide when they’re chewed on; this can block the trachea (windpipe) and cause choking or asthma attacks in Shiba Inus that are prone to these issues.
What to do if your Shiba Inus eat too many carrots?
If your Shiba Inu has eaten more carrots than recommended, don’t panic—but do stop feeding them carrots and get any extra carrot pieces away from them. Monitor your pet for signs of abnormal behavior, and call a vet if you are worried about your Shiba Inu’s health.
Can Shiba Inus eat carrot cake?
It depends on the ingredients. Plain carrot cake, sans frosting and other additives, is not toxic to Shiba Inus; however, the high sugar content of frosting and the dairy in most carrot cakes can lead to digestive upset. If you’re making a carrot cake for your human family members and want to give your Shiba Inu a little taste, that’s fine—a small piece of plain cake will not harm your Shiba Inu.
Other human foods Shiba Inus can eat
What other human foods can Shiba Inus eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Shiba Inu can eat.
So, can Shiba Inus eat carrots?
Yes, Shiba Inus can eat carrots. Carrots are a healthy, low-calorie snack for Shiba Inus and are rich in beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants. As a result, they are a great treat for your Shiba Inu to help with their vision, bone health, and digestion!
Just make sure not to overfeed your Shiba Inu carrots—follow the 90/10 rule: only 10% of your Shiba Inu’s daily food intake should be treats, like carrots.