How to properly feed fruits and veggies

[Cbrugs]

I was in some pet stores over the weekend and was talking to one of the owners about feeding raw and I was telling him that I give Jax fruit in the morning and veggies in the evening and he asked me if I steamed or blended them and I said no. And he told me there was no point in giving them to him then and I just read on a Facebook page someone else saying if you do not steam or blend, there is no nutritional value in them. I had no idea! Does this mean I would literally just throw his veggies into a blender and pulverize them?

 

[2bullymama]

never heard that before, but then again, I do not raw feed.... so interesting information

 

[Cbrugs]

never heard that before, but then again, I do not raw feed.... so interesting information

I don't raw feed either, I was just inquiring about it. But I do give Jax veggies and fruits and apparently I have been doing it wrong??

 

[2bullymama]

I don't raw feed either, I was just inquiring about it. But I do give Jax veggies and fruits and apparently I have been doing it wrong??

good point, I did not mean it they way I typed it, I feed kibble but give them veggies/fruit as treats, but I meant was since I don't feed raw it might explain why I did not know that

 

[davidh]

Interesting, maybe someone who feeds raw can shed a little light on this subject.

 

[MaplesMommy]

Dogs arent the greatest at breaking down cellulose. The cell walls of veggies are made out of such. That why when you feed a whole carrot you will find whole pieces in the stool.
Best option would be to put it in a juicer or nutribullet etc. if you steam or cook it you would indeed loose some of the nutrients.(and the cellulose would still be there). When you puree the food you break the cellulose down so your dog doesnt have to. However I give Maple whole carrots or apple pieces etc and I believe she still gets some of the nutrients but the purpose of those whole veggies I give her are moreso to keep her entertained or I use them as a treat, not a meal.

 

[Cbrugs]

Ahhh! So maybe he was thinking that I was saying the fruits/veggies are being used as a meal, which they are not. I just throw some berries, apples, or carrots, green beans, etc. in with his kibble more as a treat so I guess I am not doing it wrong after all. Thanks [MENTION=377]MaplesMommy[/MENTION]!

 

[bullmama]

Yes I have heard of this before, as stated above blanching or lightly steaming breaks down the cellulose but if you overcook the veggies then they lose the nutritional vitamins. I also heard blanching is best between the two.

Blended is the perfect way but I don't do it either, we mainly do them for treats so more entertainment value.

 

[Calle Roo]

I recently read somewhere else that their lil tummy (body) doesn't break down the fruits/veggies so they're not getting the nutritional content, as well. And some work best when steamed, blanched, etc. I started running mine through the mandoline, cheese grater or food processor. It also slows Q down instead of swallowing the pieces whole.

XoXo from Quella La Roux and her mommy too!

 

[Alice Kable]

Buster actually chews his food instead of inhaling it (like Ruggles) so I'm thinking he's got to be getting some nutrition from the fruit and veggies he gets as treats!

 

[mhuinker]

This is interesting to me because I feed peas and carrots to my pups (as part of their dinner, not solely). But I do cook them, then I put them through the food processor so they come out the consistency of baby food. I'm guessing I'm probably overcooking them though.....

 

[MaplesMommy]

This is interesting to me because I feed peas and carrots to my pups (as part of their dinner, not solely). But I do cook them, then I put them through the food processor so they come out the consistency of baby food. I'm guessing I'm probably overcooking them though.....

Yup Id say if you put them through the food processor you dont have to cook them before hand There are quite a few people that live on a raw diet because they believe cooking destroys too many nutrients. I do cook my food (even though I enjoy a raw meal on the ocassion) but as for the dogs Id break down the cellulose for them and put it in the mixer if it takes up a part of their meal

 

[mhuinker]

Yup Id say if you put them through the food processor you dont have to cook them before hand There are quite a few people that live on a raw diet because they believe cooking destroys too many nutrients. I do cook my food (even though I enjoy a raw meal on the ocassion) but as for the dogs Id break down the cellulose for them and put it in the mixer if it takes up a part of their meal

Yeah, I'm not really sure why I cook them, other than they are frozen veggies and my thinking is they need to be cooked, not sure why I think that. I guess I figure I don't want raw frozen veggies, why would my dogs. Yeah, welcome to my head, it's a mess in there! LOL

 

[kitkatmummy25]

I raw feed and I don't feed veg cooked or uncooked as a regular part of their diet. I only give them veg as a change (usually nutriment veg pack) or raw veg as a treat or to entertain ie large carrot. I don't really feed them fruit apart from occasional orange slice, banana as a treat.

 

[kitkatmummy25]

To veg or not to veg?? - The Dog's Dinner - by Ann Ridyard

hope this link works this is from website where I buy my raw food from at the bottom of my road

oh and raw meat/tripe sometimes I feed it defrosted sometimes semi frozen