Can Dogs Eat Fennel? 3 Great Tips to Include Fennel in Your Puppy’s Diet

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If you’ve been wondering, “is fennel safe for dogs to eat?” there’s positive information for both you and your canine companion.

Fennel is safe for dogs.

That’s right!

Fennel is one of those hallowed doggy-friendly people food you’re free to sprinkle in your puppy’s diet.

Essentially it’s an aromatic herb, and is in fact a cousin of the carrot – which we spoke of quite enthusiastically earlier.

It’s not the most popular of veggies, but it’s low-calorie-high nutritional count, as well as its total edibility means it’s been climbing the charts in recent years. And not just among people.

It’s easy to get a bit more fennel into your diet, and even your puppy’s.

And we’ll get to that in a little bit.

But first let’s see why fennel is becoming an increasingly popular additive in packaged dog food.

Why Dogs Can and Should Have More Fennel

The wonders of fennel mainly centre on its stimulating effects on the digestive system.

Fennel has long been used as natural remedy against stomach aches and flatulence.

And as you’ll find out, it has other nutritive benefits too…

1. Fennel Helps Smoothen Bowel Movement and Calm the Digestive System

The best known benefits of fennel are its regulatory and stimulating effects on the digestive tract.

Including fennel in your puppy’s food can help relax her digestive system and prevent the occurrence of spasms and irregular contractions.

This effect on the gut also helps with conditions like bloating, flatulence and constipation.

You see?

That’s why one of its chief uses is as a carminative. Since it’s natural and has a mild effect, it’s particularly good for pets.

And it also freshens up your puppy’s breath on top of everything.

How about that?

So if your puppy has a lot of tummy problems, trying out fennel is probably not a bad idea.

2. It has Antioxidants that Helps Protect Your Puppy’s Health

Fennel is also known for its antioxidant content.

What does that mean?

This basically translates to a good potential to prevent cancerous growth in the body.

The antioxidants also have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system (blood flow).

Having a steady presence of such antioxidants in the diet helps stave off neurological diseases in later life and also fight conditions like arthritis.

3. It has Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron that will Help Keep Your Puppy Fit and Strong

Apart from its healthy antioxidant content, fennel also contains a host of other essential nutrients.

These include calcium, iron, vitamin C, folate, potassium, and others in varying amounts.

And you know why you need your Calcium and Iron.

As does your puppy, of course.

To keep your teeth and bones healthy and strong.

And that’s just two of the myriad minerals and vitamins fennel holds.

Are you sold yet?

How Can Dogs Have Fennel? 3 Things to Keep in Mind

Even if you’re convinced of fennel’s amazing benefits for your puppy’s health, there’s still a question that remains.

How can dogs eat fennel? How do you add them to their food?

See, fennel can be eaten in a variety of ways, so you don’t have to worry much about options.

You can eat virtually any part of the herb – the bulbs, leaves, seeds and even stalk.

So what do you need to know about feeding fennel to your puppy?

1. Check with Your Vet First

As with any new food experiment with your puppy, it’s crucial that you check with your vet ahead of diving in.

While there’s no doubt that fennel is not bad for dogs – your puppy in particular may well have that rare fennel allergy.

It can be harmful for pregnant or lactating females.

Also, as with anything else, feeding too much of it will cause, at the very least, an upset stomach.

You don’t want that.

Can’t turn your puppy off to it before you really get started with it in his diet.

So clear it with your vet – whether it’s safe for your pup, and how much of it is okay in his food.

2. Mind Where You Buy It From

Fennel bought from local stores etc. can have some pesticide residue in them.

However small, pesticide residue can cause your puppy harm.

Can dogs eat fennel? Sure, as long as it’s clean, and safe to eat!

So it’s best you buy yours from reputed sources, and more importantly, thoroughly wash and/or boil it before consumption.

3. Fennel Tea and Sprinkling it on to Your Puppy’s Food

Perhaps the easiest way to get your puppy to have a bit of fennel is to boil fennel seeds in water, and mixing that water with in his regular drinking bowl.

Your puppy may dislike eating cooked fennel bulbs or other parts.

In that case you can just add a few fennel seeds to his regular dog food, and he might not even notice.

Also another great option is dog food that contains fennel as an ingredient. Ask your pet for recommendations for the safest brands your puppy can eat.

Concluding on can dogs eat fennel, we hope you found these tips and suggestions useful.

If you have more insight on fennel and its benefits to dogs, and how best it can be included in their diet, do let us know in the comments section below!

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