Alice White
Do you already know Jerusalem artichoke? The tuber of the flowering plant of the same name has long been forgotten in modern nutrition. But its comeback is justified: The tuber contains numerous valuable nutrients and supports the dog’s healthy digestion. We explain what Jerusalem artichokes are all about and how you can easily prepare the tuber for your dog.
What is Jerusalem Artichoke?
Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is a plant from the sunflower family. It is one of the sunflowers and is characterized by its long growth and bright yellow flowers. The specialty of the plant is its runners because Jerusalem artichoke forms large sprouts that are reminiscent of potatoes in their appearance. The tuber serves the plant as a water and energy store and is also used in the nutrition of humans and animals.
Can Dogs Eat Raw or Cooked Jerusalem Artichoke Tubers?
Jerusalem artichoke is sometimes referred to as the diabetic potato or the earth artichoke. However, this is solely due to their appearance and taste, because the inner values of the tuber have little in common with potatoes or artichokes. In contrast to potatoes, dogs are allowed to eat Jerusalem artichoke both raw and cooked. The root vegetables do not contain any toxic substances and are therefore absolutely safe for your four-legged friend.
Is Jerusalem Artichoke Healthy for Dogs?
Yes, Jerusalem artichoke is healthy for dogs. The tuber has numerous health benefits for your pet. It consists largely of inulin, multiple sugars that are not digested due to its special structure. This makes Jerusalem artichoke also suitable for dogs with diabetes or overweight, because the inulin contained in the tuber keeps the blood sugar level stable, supports digestion, and regulates the metabolism. In addition, the vitamins and nutrients it contains contribute to the general health of your four-legged friend.
Benefits of Jerusalem Artichoke
- The high inulin content makes Jerusalem artichoke an ideal source of carbohydrates, even for dogs with overweight or diabetes.
- The fiber from the Jerusalem artichoke tuber is easy to digest, easy to digest, and regulate the appetite of hungry four-legged friends.
- The tuber has a prebiotic effect, supports the intestinal flora, and is therefore also suitable for nutrition-sensitive dogs.
- Jerusalem artichoke provides the dog with important minerals such as iron for oxygen transport in the body and potassium for muscles and growth.
- Vitamin C and B vitamins contribute to healthy cell function and a regulated blood sugar level.
How Do You Prepare Jerusalem Artichokes for the Dog?
If you want to offer your dog a variety of tastes in the dog bowl, you can prepare Jerusalem artichoke in different ways and feed it to your four-legged friend. When you baref your dog, you can mix the vegetables into the dog food, fresh or cooked in cubes. Start with a small amount to check whether your dog can tolerate the tuber well, otherwise side effects such as diarrhea or abdominal pain can occur. An alternative to the fresh version is dried Jerusalem artichoke tubers. To do this, cut the vegetables into thin slices and let them dry for several hours in the automatic dehydrator or at a low temperature in the oven.
Important: Under no circumstances season the delicious dog snack, because most spices are harmful to dogs.
Is There Dog Food With Jerusalem Artichoke?
Some types of dog food contain Jerusalem artichoke as an ingredient and are particularly suitable for dogs who have intolerance and need light foods or easily digestible food. If you want to give your dog Jerusalem artichoke because of intestinal problems, you can also use supplementary feeds such as Jerusalem artichoke powder. The powder is simply mixed with the usual food and contributes to healthy digestion thanks to the valuable ingredients.
