Water chestnuts are vegetables that grow in water. You may have tried water chestnuts before, as they are a popular ingredient in stir fry dishes.
If you have a pup and happen to have some water chestnuts in your kitchen, you may wonder if water chestnuts are a safe and healthy snack for dogs. They are certainly less expensive than fancy dog treats!
So, a question a lot of us dog lovers have is, “Can Dogs Eat Water Chestnuts?” In this article, you’ll learn about whether or not dogs can eat water chestnuts. You’ll also learn about the potential health benefits or harmful effects this food can have on our dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Water Chestnuts?
The short answer is yes; dogs can eat water chestnuts. Water chestnuts are mostly a good food choice for dogs.
Even though many types of foods are not good for dogs, such as grapes, bones, and chocolate, water chestnuts does not fall into that category. They are safe for dogs to eat.
Water chestnuts are good food for our furry pups as they contain several beneficial nutrients.
Why Water Chestnuts Are Good For Dogs
Water chestnuts are full of minerals and vitamins. They are rich in Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Omega-3 fatty acids, Manganese, Fiber, and Potassium.
Vitamin B6 is good for supporting amino acid metabolism and reinforcing bladder health. It also maintains a variety of functions for dogs. Vitamin B6 can improve the nerve function of dogs.
In addition to that, water chestnuts contain Vitamin C. Vitamin C is great for strengthening a dog’s immune system as well as its bones.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in water chestnuts. Omega-3 fatty acids have a lot of benefits for dogs, including healthy kidney function, prevention of heart disease, decreasing inflammation; it can make a dog’s coat and skin shiny and moisturized.
Water chestnuts are an excellent source of manganese. Manganese is a mineral that promotes metabolic functioning and good bone health.
Potassium can keep your dog’s bones strong and healthy. That makes water chestnuts a good food for older dogs.
Some Cautions If Feeding Water Chestnuts To Your Dog
However, not all parts and types of water chestnuts are good for dogs.
Water chestnuts tend to be starchy. So it is best to offer small amounts of water chestnuts to your dogs as they will have a hard time digesting it if offered too many.
Dogs must not eat the seeds of water chestnuts. It is best to remove them before giving them to your dogs.
The skin of water chestnuts is not edible either. The reason for that is because water chestnuts’ skin is too tough, and it might get lodged in your dog’s digestive tract.
There are also two types of water chestnuts. There are freshwater chestnuts, and then there are canned water chestnuts.
Freshwater chestnuts are the healthier choice for your pooch. Though not as healthy, canned water chestnuts are also fine for dogs on occasion. However, canned water chestnuts contain high amounts of sodium or salt, so only allow them in moderation.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is a part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
Up next, we look at one of the most popular foods around in Can Dogs Eat French Fries?
