 The Short Answer is: |
The wonderful but odd vegetable can be enjoyed by dogs, but there is a catch. Only a few parts of jicama can be consumed by dogs. You can feed your dog the flesh of the jicama. It is imperative, however, that you do not give your dog any seeds, skins, leaves, or stems of the plant. It is possible that the plant and the outside skin contain some pesticides used by farmers, which would cause great harm to your dog if it ate them. |
In this article you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Jicama?“.
Several fruits and vegetables are suitable for our furry friends. Does jicama fall into that category? Is jicama safe to eat by dogs? The goal of this article is to explain what jicama is and if your dog can eat it safely.
We’ll tell you everything you need to know about the vegetable jicama and if your dog can enjoy it.
What Is Jicama?
Jicamas are members of the bean family. This root vegetable is native to South America and Mexico. Perhaps you have heard about this strange vegetable before and have heard it called many other names such as the Mexican yam or potato.
You can only eat the fleshy root portion of this plant. You need to remove the rough skin before eating by scraping or using a peeler.
Vitamins minerals and nutrition are abundant in jicama which you can use for a healthy diet. A raw slice of jicama contains 40 calories.
Can Dogs Eat Jicama?
The wonderful but odd vegetable can be enjoyed by dogs but there is a catch. Only a few parts of jicama can be consumed by dogs.
There are many parts to the jicama. Different parts can be used in different ways and each affects your dog differently.
You can feed your dog the flesh of the jicama. It is imperative however that you do not give your dog any seeds skins leaves or stems of the plant.
It is possible that the plant and the outside skin contain some pesticides used by farmers which would cause great harm to your dog if it ate them.
You should introduce new foods to your dog slowly and in small amounts whenever possible. Jicama is safe for dogs to consume but you never know if they will have an allergic reaction to the new food.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Jicama?
You can either feed your dog cooked or raw jicama. It is very important that you remove all leaves seeds and skin from outside of the jicama before you feed it to your dog.
The raw form of jicama might not be palatable to your dog. It may also be difficult for your dog to chew it raw.
If you are feeding your dog make sure you cut it into smaller bite-size pieces; this will make it easier for your dog to digest and chew.
Is Jicama Good for Dogs?
A dog can benefit greatly from jicamas nutritional and health benefits. Vegetables themselves are low in calories and contain many vitamins and minerals.
Jicama is also high in fiber which can be beneficial if your dog has digestive issues. This can also make your dog slightly gassy so it is a blessing and a curse.
Fiber helps your dogs metabolism run faster so if your dog is overweight or obese it can help.
Read on to learn all about the amazing health benefits jicama can provide for your dog.
Jicama Health Benefits for Dogs
Humans and dogs can both benefit from the jicamas health benefits. Here are some of the amazing benefits your dog can get from eating jicama.
Fiber – Jicama has a great deal of fiber so dogs that need more can benefit from its higher fiber content. Adding this to your dogs diet will help him digest and make his poop firmer.
Potassium – Dogs over the age of five need a great deal of potassium to stay healthy. High blood pressure is a common problem for dogs and potassium can help. It will reduce the chances of your dog developing heart disease.
Iron – In general vegetables contain a high amount of minerals which are extremely important to the body.
Vitamin C – Vitamin C is also an essential nutrient for dogs. Vitamin C will boost your dogs immune system. Jicama is a safe and healthy vegetable that can be eaten by your dog for its daily dose of vitamin C.
Additionally the jicama plant contains vitamins minerals and antioxidants that are beneficial to your dogs health.
How to Prepare Jicama for Dogs
Depending on your preference you can leave the jicama raw or cook it. At first serve only a small amount of jicama to your dog to make sure it is not allergic.
A new food allergy could cause the following symptoms:
- Skin Irritation
- Rashes
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
You should stop feeding your dog that specific food if your dog displays any of the symptoms listed above. Veterinarians can always verify whether your dog is suffering from a food allergy and not from something else.
When preparing jicama remember not to season it. Most of the seasoning we use on our food is toxic to dogs. ProvYou can either give your dog a raw or cooked slice of plain meat.
How to Cook Jicama
Jicamas can be cooked in a few different ways. It is commonly baked like a turnip or beet but can also be boiled or fried.
Boiling
Cooking jicama by boiling is the fastest method. Jicama can be easily prepared by washing it thoroughly peeling off the skin and deseeding and stemming it. Jicama can be cooked for five to six minutes in boiling water.
Let it cool completely after pulling the jicama out of the bowl or draining it. After it cools you can slice it into strips and then cut it into bite-size pieces for your dog. You should not add any seasonings to your dogs portion as many seasonings and spices are toxic for dogs.
Baking
It takes quite a long time for the jicama to fully cook when baked so it is one of the slower methods. Jicama can be given a nice crispy texture by cooking it for a short time. The following steps can be followed to prepare jicama.
Jicama can also be diced or cut into strips. If you drizzle a tiny amount of olive oil on your pan your jicama will not stick and roast easily. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and roast for one hour.
Pan Fry
Cooking jicama sticks in a pan can also be an effective method. Using the same method as before heat a little oil in a pan on medium-low heat. Turn each piece over after a few minutes.
Can Dogs Eat Jicama Leaves?
It is highly toxic to dogs to eat the leaves attached to the jicama plant. When you buy jicama from the grocery store you do not have to worry about the leaves since they have already removedd them from you.
Watch your dog closely if you are growing your own jicama to make sure it does not walk over and start eating the leaves.
Conclusion
Thats all you need for dogs eating jicama. There are tons of health benefits that jicama can provide for your dog. However human food should only be given to dogs in moderation. It is not a good idea to replace your dogs food with human food.
Did you know that dogs can eat jicama? Do you plan to give this vegetable to your dog or have you already given it to your dog? Please let us know in the comments section below.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
