Zucchini

What are zucchinis?

Zucchinis are a form of garden pumpkin that originally comes from Central America. Its name comes from the Italian and means "small pumpkin". Zucchinis have an elongated shape and a green or yellow skin. The flesh is soft and light green. Zucchinis taste mild and nutty and can be prepared in a variety of ways.

What are the benefits of zucchinis for dogs?

Zucchinis are completely safe for dogs and can enrich their diet with vitamins and minerals. Zucchinis contain vitamins A, C, K, B1, B2, B6, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, iron and fiber. These ingredients have many health benefits for your dog, such as

• Better digestion, as the fiber stimulates intestinal activity and prevents constipation.
• An antioxidant effect, as vitamins A, C and K protect the cells from free radicals and strengthen the immune system.
• A draining and detoxifying effect, as zucchinis contain a lot of water and support kidney function.
• A low-calorie and filling supplement, as zucchinis only have around 17 calories per 100 grams and fill the stomach.

Zucchini can therefore be a good choice if you want to offer your dog some variety in his diet or if he tends to be overweight.

What are the disadvantages of zucchinis for dogs?

Zucchinis have hardly any disadvantages for dogs as long as they are fed in moderation. Too much zucchini can lead to diarrhea or flatulence, as the fiber speeds up digestion. You should also make sure that the zucchinis do not taste bitter, as they may then contain cucurbitacins. These are toxic substances which, in rare cases, can lead to symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea, cramps or shortness of breath. To minimize the risk, you should only buy zucchinis from the shops and try them before feeding them. If they taste bitter, you should throw them away.

How do you prepare zucchinis for dogs?

Zucchinis are very easy to prepare and can be fed raw or cooked. You should wash the zucchinis thoroughly beforehand and cut off the ends. You can leave the skin on as it contains lots of nutrients. You can then cut the zucchini into small pieces or grate it and add it to the conventional food or as a barf ingredient. You can also briefly steam or boil the zucchinis to make them softer. However, they will lose some of their vitamins. The amount of zucchini you can feed your dog depends on its size, weight and activity level. As a rule of thumb, you can replace around 10 to 20 percent of his daily food requirement with zucchinis.