Remember when your mom used to tell you to eat your carrots, they were good for your eyes? I don’t know if moms really knew that or if it was a ploy to make us eat veggies we didn’t like. As an adult, I realize that carrots really do help your eye sight, but it’s not because Bugs Bunny didn’t wear glasses. It’s because carrots are loaded with beta carotene, and that is good for your eye sight. Does this work for a dog’s eyes?
How Does Beta Carotene Work?
I study everything I feed my dogs and prefer that they have the most natural health options as possible. Beta carotene works in the same way for their eyes as it does for ours, which is to help maintain eye health. Carrots are one of many vegetables that have this anti- oxidant in them, so if your dog is not a big fan of carrots, you can also look for foods that include sweet potatoes and fruits like cantaloupe or apricots.
Beta carotene is actually absorbed in the intestines, mixed with fats and then turned into Vitamin A. The Vitamin A is what goes to the eye to help make them healthier, so making sure that your dog has a diet that is rich in Vitamin A will help to keep maintain eye health.
Neither beta carotene, nor Vitamin A are miracle workers though, so if your dog has bad eyesight already, chances are that beta carotene is not going to improve their eyesight or overall eye health. Regular veterinarian check- ups and feeding a high quality food from birth is the best way to insure that your dog’s eyes stay as healthy as possible.
If you do choose to feed your dog bits of carrots, or other foods, to ensure he is getting beta carotene in his diet, be careful not to over feed him. Remember that too much of a good thing can be just as harmful as not enough. I believe in an all- natural or holistic approach to caring for my Shih Tzu but you also have to work with your vet to insure that you are doing the right thing.
Our dog’s eyes age just like ours do. They can get eye disease and cataracts the same as we can. While it is very important to feed them a diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants it may not insure that the dog will not end up having eye problems.
Because my Shih Tzus have the tiny smashed in faces and bulging eyes, I keep a regular check on them to make sure their eyes appear to look healthy. Check your dog’s eyes frequently to make sure they look healthy. Any signs of redness or cloudy looking pupils should be checked by your vet.
More by this contributor:
Why You Should Watch Your Dog Potty
Dangers of Smoking Around Your Dog
Help My Dog has Red Puffy Gums
