Feeding Veggies?

[Luvs]

We recently started switching the puppies to raw. We are feeding the pre-packaged meat but I need to grind up my own veggies. The breeder we got our meat from gave us a package of veggies to get us started, but that package is gone and I need to do up my own.

Those of you feeding raw, what kind of veggies do you feed? Are there any veggies that I should NOT feed? Is there any combo of veggies that is not good for the puppies? We got some broccoli, carrots, parsley, and spinach last night and ground those up for their meal today. Is that combo ok?

Being brand new at this I am still trying to learn as much as I can by reading, asking questions and searching the internet.

Thank you for any suggestions

:D

[rottnelmo]

I am fairly new to raw as well...but this is what I have learned.

Try to stay away from the gas produces like brocolli and cabage, definately NO onions....

Your combo looks great...Elmo likes to eat baby carrots whole, but only gets a few...the others are ground up. Fruits are great too!!

[Lorrie]

Here's my Veggie Info

Green leafy veggies are fine, but remember the veggies need to be pulped up using something like a blender, juicer or food processor. You are aiming for something a bit like the vegetable matter found in the stomach of a prey animal. (horrid I know - I am a vegetarian) The reason for this is that dogs can not digest cellulose. Cell walls of plants are made of cellulose, so for our dogs to get the nutrients out of them, we need to crush the cell walls. Chopping them up only crushes the cell walls on the outside, leaving the bit in the middle pretty much unavailable to them nutritionally. Cooking them will also destroy the cell walls, but as this also destroys a lot of the nutrients and enzymes in the veggies (even canned veggies), it kind of defeats the purpose. Freezing the veggies and then thawing can also break down the cell walls.

Some veggie tips,
Onions can cause anemia in some dogs. Don’t overdo the cabbage family, as overuse can depress the thyroid. Every single vegetable have toxin in them of some sort. Don’t feed lygumes, as they have enzyme inhibitors. Leave out most starchy veggies. Anything that is coloured, is absolutely fabulous.

Some of the good veggies;
green beans, frozen field peas with snaps, collards, mustard greens, romaine lettuce, broccolli cuts, carrots, celery, red or yellow bell peppers, sweet potatoes, canned pumpkin,chopped parsley, or other herbs when they are in season

Vegetables in the cruciferous family should be used with moderation, since they can cause suppression of the thyroid function in dogs if fed to excess. These include broccolli, cauliflower, cabbage, and bok choy. You should also only feed vegetables high in oxalic acid once a week - spinach, chard, beets, beet greens. Oxalic acid interferes with the absorption of CALCIUM. It can actually cause calcium to be leached out of the food that you've fed that day. No fresh rhubarb at any time - that's the highest in oxalic acid. One raw leaf can kill a small dog. Oxalic acid is also an industrial corrosive!

And once again;
For the best nutritional usage, the vegetables and fruits should be run through a food processor, or a juicer. If you use a juicer, feed the juice AND the pulp. You can pulp a large amount and freeze the excess. As with your own diet, fresh and organic is best, frozen is next, and canned should not be on the list, except for pumpkin. Be sure you use the PLAIN, and not the pie mix. Pumpkin is excellent for regulating bowel movements because of it's bulk, whether the dog has loose stools, or is constipated.

"Above ground" veggies tend to loosen stool, "below ground" veggies tend to firm it up. I try to get an even balance of the two, by weight. (For example, a couple of carrots balance out a whole bunch of greens.)

The wider the variety of veggies you use, the better the chance you'll cover all the vitamins/minerals they need. The only constant in my veggie mix are carrots and green leafies, lots of them, whatever's in season. (Mustard, dandelion, turnip, collard greens, parsley, carrot greens, radish greens, etc.) In addition to carrots, mustard greens and kale, my last batch included parsley, turnips, cabbage, cukes, broccoli, a sweet potato (cooked, with skin), celery, and peas.

I give my dogs veggies with their meals as I know a lot of other people do, so I thought this might be interesting to some. Remember in order for a dog to digest raw veggies they have to be ground (or cooked - although I think cooking alters nutritional values)

Also certain veggies are a lot more balanced in the calcium to phosphorus ratio. You need to watch things like carrots and zuchinni's as they have alot more phosphorus than calcium. Romaine lettuce, parsley, dill, beans (green or yellow), turnip, celery, squash, radish and tops all have a good calcium to phosphorus ratio.

corn squash - very high in vitamin A, also supplies potassium and generally higher in carbohydrates than summer squashes; soothes the stomach and protects the spleen.

Alfalfa - contains vitamins A, B, C, E, K, and U; rich in magnesium, trace elements, biotin, essential fatty acids, pantothenic acid, pyroxidine, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, selenium, and zinc.

Apple - Is a bladder cleanser; aids in intestinal infections, inflammation of the colon; aids in detoxifying metals, protects against radiation therapy; stabilizes blood sugar; apples contain 84% pure water, carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins A, B & C, and are high in potassium, iron and many other nutrients.

Asparagus - stimulates kidney and liver function; protects against cancer; stimulates the immune function; high in vitamins A, B-complex and C, as well as potassium, manganese and iron; carotene, selenium; and rutin which contributes to a strong capillary system.

Banana - high in potassium and vitamin C; feeds the good bacteria in the colon; good for intestinal disturbances and diarrhea.

Beet greens - very high in nutrients especially iron and calcium; good for blood disorders, liver function and the flow of bile.

Beets - aid lymphatic function; aid in gall bladder and liver function; aid in digestion; builds red blood cells; full of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, and magnesium; vitamin A, B-complex and C; also contain high amounts of amino acids.

Blueberries -- the high amounts of manganese make this very good for many disorders; the blue pigment is thought to be a powerful liver protector for any patient undergoing radiation or chemotherapy.

Broccoli - lowers the risk of cancer, primarily of the colon, esophagus, lung, prostrate, oral cavity and stomach; experiments using broccoli reveal the sulforaphane it contains to be the most powerful natural chemical for stopping the growth of tumours. Broccoli is high in cancer antidotes and blocks cell mutations, which foreshadow cancer.

Cabbage - kills bacteria and viruses, prevents cancer, stimulates the immune system; within cabbage are chemicals called indoles, that block cancer formation; there are also dithiolthiones, which suppress the activation of cancer-causing substances; high in chlorophyll, vitamin A, and sulphur.

Cantaloupe -- provides more vitamin A and C than most other types of fruit; is high in potassium.

Carrot - powerful anti-oxidant; builds healthy skin and tissue; helps stop diarrhea; helps build healthy teeth; improves eyesight; prevents eye and mucus membrane infection. High in beta-carotene, vitamin B-complex, C, D, E, K, iron, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sulphur, and copper.

Celery - aids in kidney and liver function; contains vitamins A, B-complex, and C and choline; as well as magnesium, manganese, iron, iodine, copper, potassium, calcium, sulphur, sodium, and phosphorus; is rich in pectin; celery helps to balance acidity in the body; is helpful in arthritis; is also good for cancer.

Escarole - very rich in vitamin A, calcium, minerals, B-vitamins, iron, and potassium; good for infections; for liver function; and internal cleansing.

Figs - kill bacteria, destroy roundworms; are an anti-cancer agent; a
restorative for the ill; and aid in digestion. Figs are good for destroying intestinal parasites and contain high amounts of fibre.

Honeydew Melon - provides more vitamin A and C than most other types of
fruit; is high in potassium.

Kale - is the best cancer fighting vegetable we have on the planet; is the richest of all leafy greens in carotenoids - powerful anti-cancer agents; rich in vitamin A, C, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, magnesium, iron, sulphur, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and chlorophyll.

Leaf Lettuce - contain vitamins, minerals, usable calcium, and beta-carotene needed for the immune system; good for gall bladder, spleen, heart and blood; good for the nervous system
.
Mangoes - high in vitamin A, in addition to having a high content of vitamin C; contains insoluble fibre; considered one of the power foods.

Parsley - improves function of kidneys, bladder, adrenal and thyroid gland; corrects vitamin deficiency; aids in digestion; extremely high in nutrients; very rich in vitamins A, B1, B-complex, C, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and iron.

Parsnip - helps with colon disorders; constipation; heart problems and high blood pressure. Contain more fibre than any common vegetable; they are rich in potassium and are powerful cancer fighters by helping to keep the digestive tract free of cancer causing substances.

Peaches - contain beta-carotene, potassium, and fibre; are good for those suffering from cancer, heart disease; easy to digest.

Pear - have a very high insoluble fibre content, is a natural laxative, helps arthritis, gout, lungs and stomach.

Pineapple - cleans the bloodstream and liver; good for inflammation, colds, influenza and sore throats; aids in digestion; contains manganese which is an essential part of certain enzymes needed to metabolize protein and carbohydrates.

Romaine - contain vitamins, minerals, usable calcium, and beta-carotene
needed for the immune system. Good for gall bladder, spleen, heart and blood and are a good brain food.

Strawberries - protects against viruses and cancer; protects against DNA damage; protects against skin disorders. Contain high vitamin C, high in potassium, good anti-oxidant. Can block the transformation of nitrosamine, a powerful cancer causing substance

Sweet potato - high in vitamins A, C & E, and selenium; rich in protease inhibitors which have been found to stop cancer in animals; protease inhibitors also protect the body against viruses; lowers risk of cancer; particularly helpful in forestalling lung cancer; dark orange vegetables somehow interfere with the processes that lead to lung cancer.

Swiss Chard - corrects calcium deficiency; improves digestive function; is a diuretic; contains vitamins A, and C, potassium, sodium, calcium, and iron.

Turnip - balances the calcium in the body; reduces mucus, helps asthma and bronchitis and relieves sore throats.

Yellow Wax Beans - very high insoluble fibre content; is excellent for
removal of cancer-causing substances from the colon wall; contains cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin; vitamins A, B-complex, and C.

Zucchini -squash (along with carrots and yams) protect the lungs from
environmental pollutants when at least one of these is consumed daily.

Notes:
Cruciferous vegetables include: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage,
cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, horseradish, mustard greens, radishes, rutabaga, turnip, watercress.

These twelve vegetables are the power fighters against cancer, and heart disease. They are called cruciferous as they all have flowers with four petals that botanical historians describe as resembling the crucifix or Cross, hence the name cruciferous.

Cruciferous vegetables also lower thyroid function, so it is suggested not to feed these day after day, 365 days per year. With every aspect of your pet's diet, variety is key in nutritional balance.

Leafy green vegetables are extremely high in nutrients. They are high in beta-carotene needed for the immune system. They ward off diseases such as cancer, and are excellent for the gall bladder, spleen, heart and blood and are considered a brain food.

When oxalic acid, as found in spinach, beet greens, Swiss chard, kale and rhubarb, are combined with calcium, it makes another insoluble compound which may form into kidney stones. Feeding these foods as part of a variety should not cause this problem

[mmgy]

Great list Lorrie! Are you the author??

[Luvs]

WOW Lorrie what a great list! I am going to print this list out so I have it on hand to refer back to. Your list will be a HUGE help when choosing veggies for their meals.

Thank you very much for taking the time to post such an in depth response!:D

Rottnelmo, thank you for your response. I had no idea they couldn't have onions. I still have soooo much to learn;)

[Rott-Wiley]

The best way by far to prepare veggies for new pups is in a juicer and mix both the juice and pulp up for them. For puppies, I would juice up veggies fresh just prior to mixing up their food. I would not try to store the juice/pulp mixture for them, only give fresh. Once they get older, you can start freezing the mix for them.

Apple, carrot, broccoli, turnip, cantaloupe, celery -- all those are excellent for juicing.

I also feed sweet potato but I nuke it first. I only give regular potato when it's leftovers and again, cooked.

[Terrie]

I think that Lorrie's post should be made a sticky here. In the year and a half that I have been on this board the veggie question comes up a lot. This is the most complete and informative answer I have personally seen. Thank you Lorrie.

[kitten]

I've been reading the posts here for a while now, and let me first say that this is definitely a wealth of information!!

I was wondering if someone could tell me how to go about adding veggies to a kibble diet. My dogs are on kibble but from everything I've been reading and hearing kibble doesn't give all the things that they need. I'm not able to put them on a complete natural diet, if I was at home all day I would but I'm not. So I was thinking that if I could start adding veggies to one of they're meals each day that would help.

I'm definitely printing out that list!! Thanks in advance :)

[Rott-Wiley]

I would just add the veggies to their meal. Just mix it with the kibble. I feed a 40/60% diet of kibble and raw with veggies. I used to run the juicer every day but now I only juice twice a week and freeze the juice/pulp in ice cube trays. I feed two cubes of juice/pulp per meal and my dog loves it.

[Carina43]

How I do mine is in big batches - I then keep it frozen in large yoghurt tubs. To the vegetable/fruit glop I add any or all of the following: raw eggs, apple cider vinegar, almonds, canned mackerel or salmon, a few garlic cloves, yoghurt...I also pick dandelion, lavender leaves & nettle from my (unsprayed) property.

Dandelion, almonds & lavender are ingredients in Hokamix.

I also save carrot tops & various vegetables in the freezer for gloperizing. Actually merely freezing whole vegetables does a perfect job of breaking down cellulose - but the problem is getting a dog to eat mushy defrosted whole vegetables!

[Luvs]

Carina, when will your book be available?

[Carina43]

Originally posted by Luvs
Carina, when will your book be available?

"Sometime next month" they tell me...I've learned patience in this process, for sure!
:)

[Luvs]

Make sure you let me know when it's available it is definately something I would like to add to my library:D

[Rott-Wiley]

Originally posted by Luvs
Make sure you let me know when it's available it is definately something I would like to add to my library:D

I think you can order it now from Amazon and they will ship it when it is printed.

[Laura]

Thanks Lorrie, terrific info, answers a lot of questions. I'm going to try a pumpkin and peanut butter mixture and freeze it in a kong.