Can my dog eat carrots?
Can dogs eat carrots?Yes
Raw or cooked, without salt, butter or seasoning, in small pieces; not carrot cake.
Yes, dogs can eat carrots, raw or cooked, but without salt, butter, oil or seasoning. At around 41 kcal per 100 g, they're low in calories and provide fibre and beta-carotene. Cut them into slices or small pieces, as whole carrots can cause choking or an intestinal blockage. Carrot cake and glazed carrots aren't suitable for dogs.
How much carrot can your dog eat?
Enter the weight – the amount updates straight away. You can adjust age, activity and neutering below.
How the calculator works
- Daily requirement: Resting energy requirement 70 × 15 kg^0.75 ≈ 534 kcal × factor 1.6 ≈ 855 kcal.
- Treat allowance: at most 10% of that = 86 kcal for all treats combined.
- Calorie limit: 86 kcal ÷ 41 kcal/100 g = 210 g of carrots.
- Guide value for dogs 10–25 kg: 12 × carrot slice (approx. ½ cm thick) at 3 g each = 36 g (guide value from the source).
- Recommendation: the smaller of the two, rounded down to half portions → 12 × 3 g = 36 g ≈ 15 kcal.
Sources: 10% rule from the WSAVA guide to treats · kcal value: USDA FoodData Central. Daily requirement as in the dog calorie calculator.
Result · 15 kg · Adult
Up to 12
× carrot slice (approx. ½ cm thick) on a snack day
(≈ 36 g, 15 kcal)
Treat allowance 86 kcal (10% of 855 kcal) · 1 carrot slice (approx. ½ cm thick) ≈ 3 g
Limited by: guide value
Here the guide value for dogs 10–25 kg sets the limit (guide value from the source): at most 12 × carrot slice (approx. ½ cm thick). In terms of calories, up to 210 g would be possible.
Based on Chewy (vet-reviewed): ¼ to ½ a small carrot for small dogs (here ¼), ¾ for medium-sized dogs and one for large dogs, each 2 to 3 times a week; converted to 3 g slices using 50 g per small carrot (USDA).
This applies if it's the only snack that day – if your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
The app calculates recipes in grams, kcal and portions to suit your dog's weight, age, activity and allergies.Carrots for dogs: amount by weight
| Weight | Maximum per snack day | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 4 × carrot slice (approx. ½ cm thick)≈ 12 g | ≈ 5 |
| 10 kg | 4 × carrot slice (approx. ½ cm thick)≈ 12 g | ≈ 5 |
| 20 kg | 12 × carrot slice (approx. ½ cm thick)≈ 36 g | ≈ 15 |
| 30 kg | 16 × carrot slice (approx. ½ cm thick)≈ 48 g | ≈ 20 |
| 40 kg | 16 × carrot slice (approx. ½ cm thick)≈ 48 g | ≈ 20 |
- All snacks together no more than 10% of daily calories (WSAVA recommendation). If your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
- Guide value per weight class – small up to 10 kg, medium 10–25 kg, large over 25 kg: Based on Chewy (vet-reviewed): ¼ to ½ a small carrot for small dogs (here ¼), ¾ for medium-sized dogs and one for large dogs, each 2 to 3 times a week; converted to 3 g slices using 50 g per small carrot (USDA).
What's in it
- Around 41 kcal and 0.2 g of fat per 100 g – a low-calorie reward instead of dog biscuits.
- Rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, plus fibre and potassium.
- Raw and crunchy for chewing: according to vets, chewing raw carrots can help reduce plaque. It doesn't replace tooth brushing.
- Cooked, they're soft and easier to chew, for example for older dogs; puréed, carrot can be stuffed into a chew toy or spread on a lick mat.
What to watch out for
- Whole carrots or large pieces can cause choking or an intestinal blockage, especially in small dogs and dogs that gulp their food.
- Too much in one go can cause wind or diarrhoea; some dogs react with vomiting or diarrhoea even the first time.
- Carrots contain natural sugar (around 4.7 g per 100 g). If your dog has diabetes or is overweight, agree the amount with your vet.
- Glazed or seasoned carrots, or carrots cooked with onions or garlic, are harmful to dogs.
- Tinned carrots can contain added salt.
- Carrot cake is high in sugar and fat and can contain raisins, nuts, nutmeg or xylitol; raisins and xylitol are toxic to dogs.
- Frozen pieces of carrot are hard: PetMD advises against them, as they can cause choking and damage the teeth.
How to prepare carrots
How to do it
- Wash or peel the carrots thoroughly
- Cut them into thin slices or bite-sized pieces
- Give them raw, or steam, boil or bake them without fat or seasoning
- Give them cooked to older dogs or dogs with dental problems
- Purée cooked carrots and stuff them into a chew toy or spread them on a lick mat
- The first time, give only a little and keep an eye on digestion
Better not
- Whole carrots for small dogs or dogs that gulp their food
- Glazed carrots or carrots with butter, salt, onions or garlic
- Tinned carrots with added salt
- Carrot cake
- Hard, frozen pieces of carrot
How often?
Small amounts are fine every day too, as long as all treats together stay below 10% of daily calories. According to Chewy's table, give the full guide amount from the calculator two to three times a week.
Frequently asked questions about carrots
Can dogs eat raw carrots?
Yes. Wash them thoroughly and cut them into thin slices or bite-sized pieces. Small dogs and dogs that gulp their food in particular can choke on whole raw carrots, and large pieces can cause a blockage in the gut.
Are cooked carrots better than raw ones?
Both are fine. Cooked carrots are softer and easier to chew for older dogs or dogs with dental problems; according to PetMD, they even provide more nutrients when cooked. Raw, they give your dog more to chew on. Cook them without salt, butter, oil or seasoning.
Can dogs eat frozen carrots?
The sources disagree here. The AKC writes that some vets recommend cold or frozen carrots for teething puppies. PetMD advises against frozen pieces, as they can cause choking and damage the teeth. If in doubt, stick to fresh, thin slices.
Can puppies eat carrots?
Yes, in small amounts and cut into very small pieces. Introduce them slowly, as puppies have sensitive digestion. Puppy food should still provide the bulk of their diet.
Can dogs eat carrot cake?
No. It's too high in sugar and fat and can cause an upset stomach or pancreatitis. It may also contain raisins, nuts, nutmeg or xylitol, and the cream cheese frosting is very high in fat.
Can dogs drink carrot juice?
In small amounts, yes, if it's unsweetened. Juice and purée contain more concentrated sugar and fewer nutrients than the whole carrot, so keep it to a sip as an exception.
Can dogs eat glazed carrots or tinned carrots?
No. Glazed or seasoned carrots, or carrots cooked with onions or garlic, are harmful to dogs, and tinned carrots can contain added salt. Only give plain carrots.
Can my dog eat carrots every day?
Yes, in small amounts. Chewy considers a small amount every day fine, as long as all treats together make up no more than 10% of daily calories. Give the larger guide amounts two to three times a week.
How many calories are in a carrot?
According to the USDA, a medium-sized carrot weighs about 61 g and has around 25 kcal; a 3 g slice has just over 1 kcal. Carrots barely count towards the 10% limit for treats – it's digestion rather than calories that limits the amount.
Do carrots clean my dog's teeth?
Only to a limited extent. Vets say chewing raw carrots can help reduce plaque. For tartar, though, VCA mainly recommends daily tooth brushing with a toothpaste for dogs; carrots don't replace that.
What happens if my dog has eaten too many carrots?
Usually your dog will get wind, soft stools or diarrhoea, and sometimes it eats less. According to a vet writing for Chewy, this usually clears up within one to two days in healthy dogs. Provide fresh water and call your vet if the symptoms are severe or your dog is visibly unwell.
Are carrots suitable for overweight dogs?
As a replacement for higher-calorie treats, yes, as they're low in calories and fat. Because of the natural sugar, discuss larger amounts with your vet if your dog has diabetes or is very overweight.
Recipes with carrots
Ingredients and method are on the website; the app works out the amounts for your dog.
Main DishesBeef & Potato
Main DishesChicken & Millet
Main DishesChicken & Rice
Main DishesLamb & Potato
Main DishesLamb & Rice
Main DishesRabbit & Sweet Potato- Dog biscuitsDog biscuits on a baking mat with baby food≈ 2.2 kcal per biscuit
- Dog biscuitsCut-out Christmas biscuits for dogs≈ 20 kcal per biscuit
MagazinePeanut butter and carrot ice creamFrom “Homemade dog ice cream”
MagazineCarrot and apple biscuitsFrom “Homemade dog treats”
MagazineDog birthday cake with banana, peanut butter and oatsFrom “Dog birthday cake recipe”
MagazineBland diet for dogs – chicken and rice (1 : 2)From “Bland diet for dogs”
Similar foods
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- In moderationVegetablesKohlrabiPeeled, unseasoned, ideally cooked or finely grated.See the answer
- In moderationVegetablesBell pepperRipe bell peppers without seeds or stalk, cut small; never hot varieties.See the answer
- In moderationVegetablesPotatoOnly cooked and peeled; raw, green and sprouting potatoes contain solanine.See the answer
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Sources
- Can Dogs Eat Carrots? – American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Can Dogs Eat Carrots? – PetMD (vet-reviewed)
- Can Dogs Eat Carrots? – Chewy (vet-reviewed)
- Dental Disease in Dogs – VCA Animal Hospitals
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets – ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Carrots, raw (SR Legacy, FDC 170393) – USDA FoodData Central
- Feeding treats to your dog – WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee (10% rule in the calculator)
Reviewed on · DoggoMeal editorial team
This page is no substitute for veterinary advice. Dogs with pre-existing conditions – for example of the kidneys, liver or pancreas, or with diabetes – and dogs with allergies often need their own rules. If your dog has symptoms or you're unsure, ask your vet.
Recipes that fit your dog
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