Last Updated on 1 year ago by Nicky Johnson
Water chestnuts are a vegetable grown in Asia and Africa in marsh places. Most people think it is a type of nut or fruit due to its name. Most people used it as cooked food. It is a healthy and nutritional diet for humans.
It is actually not food as such. These are small crunchy white bits that are grown in the home’s garden. So the pets can take them from there and then a question arises in the owner’s mind that can your dog eat water chestnuts?
Are they healthy for dogs? You cannot give the same animal protein diet to your dogs as it may harm their health. The health of your pet is as important as a human. But you know being a dog it is your duty to give your dog a healthy diet and try to keep it away from diseases.
Therefore, before giving the dog anything it is very important to know whether it is safe and healthy for it or not.
Types Of Water Chestnuts
There are two types of water chestnuts: Eleocharis dulcis and Trapa natans. Eleocharis dulcis belongs to plant family Cyperaceae and is an edible one. Trapa natans is thorny, invasive, and non-edible.
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Can Dogs Eat Water Chestnut?
Blog Contents
The simple answer to this question is yes, dogs can eat water chestnuts. It is not food for animals, but most of the pets eat it somehow.
The chestnuts are full of proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and fiber. They are a source of energy for both humans and pets. If taken in moderation these water chestnuts have multiple benefits for the dogs.
DHA in fatty acids is helpful for slowing cognitive aging in dogs. It is also good for their brain, eyes, and joints it can reduce the pain and inflammation in their joints that may occur due to arthritis. It is also helpful for curing kidney diseases.
Proteins and fibers are useful for repairing damaged tissues in dogs. Proteins are good for the growth of bone, muscles, hair, and skin tissues. Fibers improve the health of the digestive system and prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the digestive tract.
Potassium in them is good for the health of the dog’s kidneys, heart, and upset tummies.
Water chestnuts contain vitamins that make them beneficial for dogs like all other such food. Vitamin C in them acts as an antioxidant and cures inflammation and many dental issues in dogs.
Also, read: Can Dogs Eat Pork Rinds?
Side Effects Of Water Chestnuts For Dogs:
Water chestnuts have many adverse effects if they are not given in moderate amounts to dogs. Horse chestnuts are types of chestnuts but not water chestnuts.
They are toxic for both horses and dogs. They cause colic problems and many other gastrointestinal issues in them, even the leaves of horse chestnut trees cause diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in dogs.
Water chestnuts may be dangerous for dogs as the vegetables have high sodium concentrations. Too much sodium content causes nausea, vomiting, tremors, and many others.
Moreover, they absorb water and if your dog takes an excess of water, it will cause diarrhea in it. Cooked water chestnuts are not good for dogs as they have onion, garlic, and many other such ingredients that are toxic for dogs. So avoid cooked water chestnuts for dogs.
Always give them to dogs in moderate amounts and do not make chestnuts their regular meal if you want healthy dogs. In the start give them in small amount and observe if the dog shows no adverse action then you can feed them regularly.
Frequently Asks Questions
How can I sever water chestnuts to my dog?
Always serve water chestnuts to dogs in the form of choked cubes or pasta and mix them with any other food. It will lessen the choking hazards.
Why are the water chestnuts called so?
Water chestnuts have fleshy skin and look like nuts. But in actuality they are not nuts they are aquatic vegetables.