Asparagus:
Green asparagus tips are a good source of beta carotene.
Asparagus is also a good source of chlorophyll which is said to help build the
blood. Asparagus is also said to be a general kidney stimulant, but Dr.
Bernard Jensen author of Foods That Heal suggests
that too much asparagus can be irritating to the kidneys, especially if used
during kidney inflammation.
Beet:
Beets are said to benefit both the digestive and lymphatic system. Beets have a natural purging action and help in elimination. Beets can turn the urine or stools red. With beets, it's best to start off small and then gradually increase the amount used. Beets will literally purge the bowels if you give too much as beets are a naturally bowel cleanser.
However, while beets have some nice health benefits for us humans, I personally do not suggest feeding them to your pets because they are high in oxalic acid. When oxalic acid combines with calcium an indestible compound is created. Since the foods we feed our pets are high in calcium, beets is not a food that should be fed.
More Information about what vegetables should not be fed to dogs and cats can be found in Part 2.
Broccoli:
An excellent source of calcium. One pound of broccoli can have
as much as 360 mg of calcium. The fiber in broccoli assists the colon. Fresh
broccoli spoils fast, so purchase only as much as you can use.
Brussels Sprouts:
Along with plants like broccoli and cauliflower, Brussels
sprouts are members of the cabbage family. A good source of sulphur which is
said to help both with blood circulation and skin problems. Brussels sprouts
are also a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
Cabbage:
Cabbage is also a good source of sulphur and so this vegetable
is said to help with blood circulation as well. Also, cabbage is a source of
calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, iodine, sodium, and potassium.
Sauerkraut, fermented (or rotten) cabbage, is a very good
source of vitamin C. In fact Captain James Cook (1728-1779), the famous
English explorer of the Pacific Ocean, adamantly fed his crew sauerkraut to
prevent scurvy. Capt. Cook maintained the healthiest crew of his time.
If feeding sauerkraut to your pets, try to get it made without
salt. Use unpasteurized sauerkraut. Pasteurizing kills all the beneficial
properties of sauerkraut and other fermented foods. Hey, why not make
sauerkraut yourself? Your health food store will probably have books on how to
do this or you can find information on the Internet.
Carrot:
This tap root is an excellent source of beta carotene. The
roughage helps with constipation. Carrots generally have a nice sweet taste
that most dogs like.
Cauliflower:
Another member of the cabbage family, cauliflower is a good
source of fiber and sulfur. Cauliflower itself does not contain a lot of
calcium, but the greens around the cauliflower do. Do not be afraid to use
some of the greens in your companion's foods. Just chop the greens up with
the rest of the vegetables. Cauliflower is one the vegetables that I like to
use on a regular basis not just because of its nutritional value though, but
because it breaks very easily into small pieces when chopped in the food
processor. Remember, the finer we can chop the vegetables the easier it will
be for our pets to digest them.
Celery:
Celery is naturally rich in chlorine, sodium, potassium, and
magnesium. Celery helps to purify the blood and is a natural diuretic. Celery
is said to be one of the best overall foods. It is said that celery leaves are
beneficial for those who are nervous. Celery seed is said to help with
arthritis.
Collard:
Originating from countries in and around eastern Mediterranean
and Asia Minor, collard is one of the oldest members of the cabbage family and
is closely related to kale. Collards are rich in calcium, beta carotene and
vitamin C. Collard is said to help most parts of the body including the
skeletal system, respiratory system, digestive system, lymphatic system,
eliminative system, urinary system, and nervous system.
However, collard is high in oxalic acid just like beets. Therefore, I don't feed or give collards for the same reason that I do not give beets.
Dandelion:
As a member of the sunflower family, dandelions are looked
upon as a weed to most people. Unfortunately, dandelions tend be destroyed
instead of cultivated. Dandelion leaves have long been used to help the liver
detoxify, increase the flow of bile and for stimulating glands. Dandelions are
an excellent source of calcium and have more vitamin A than most other
vegetables. Always remember though that the bigger the leaves, the more bitter
the taste. It's best to harvest the leaves in the spring, so start picking
and take advantage of this plant.
Garlic:
It should be noted, that as good as garlic is, garlic is reported to be
toxic to pets in larger doses. Garlic is a member of the onion family and
onions are toxic to pets. Other herbs that are members of the onion family
include chives which should also not be fed.
There is a compound in onions that cause damage to the red blood cells in
pets. However, it is reported that garlic is less toxic than onions and would
need to be consumed in larger amounts for there to be a problem in our pets.
Nonetheless, I prefer not to use garlic just to be safe (most pets don't
like garlic anyway).
Many people do and have added garlic to their pet's diet without any
problem. While this may be the case, I prefer to not take the chance and as
mentioned, most pets don't like the taste of garlic.
Although garlic shouldn't be used in your pet's diet, it is worth learning
about garlic because it is something we humans can definitely benefit from.
This miracle food is extremely high in sulphur. Sulphur, which is found in
other foods as well, but especially garlic, is necessary in order to help
prevent skin problems like ring worms, fleas, mange and so on. Garlic has also
been known to expel worms naturally. Due to these reasons it is understandable
why people in the past fed their pets garlic. But luckily, there are other
natural solutions to these problems such as homeopathy making it unnecessary
to use garlic.
During World War I, medics placed raw garlic cloves into the wounds of the
soldiers as a natural antibiotic. In some places, people still put garlic over
cuts to help prevent bacterial contamination. Garlic contains a bacterial
fighting agent called crotonaldehyde and garlic is also said to be an internal
antiseptic.
Garlic is also said to be a natural immune booster along with a lot more.
Please note, garlic is absorbed through the skin and so if you rub some onto
your body, you will have garlic breath the next day.
Kale:
Kale, which is closely related to collard, originates from the
same basic area as collard. Both kale and collard closely resemble wild
cabbage. Kale, like other members of the cabbage family is high in sulphur.
Kale is also a good source of calcium and iron and is said to help the
digestive and nervous system.
Kohlrabi:
Kohlrabi is German for cabbage turnip
. Kohlrabi is high
in vitamin C. As with many foods that are high in vitamin C, kohlrabi is said
to help the skeletal system (bones), plus the digestive, and lymphatic system.
Okra:
Okra originates from tropical Africa, but is now grown in
other warm regions. Okra is known as gumbo
when used in Creole cooking.
Okra is high in sodium and is said to be soothing to the intestines.
Parsley:
High in iron, parsley is also a good source of copper,
manganese, and chlorophyll. Although too much parsley can irritate the
kidneys, especially if already inflamed, parsley is a natural diuretic and
will help the kidneys.
However, parsely is high in oxalic acid and therefore should be avoided for the same reasons that we do not give beet.
Parsnips:
Parsnips are high in fiber and can help to improve bowel
action. Some say parsnips have a beneficial effect on the liver.
Peas:
This prehistoric vegetable is said to have no special
therapeutic value. Peas are a good source of magnesium, but if the pea pods
are used, then your pets get the added benefits of chlorophyll and calcium.
Try growing some peas in your back yard as fresh peas have a nice, sweet taste
to them.
Pumpkin:
Pumpkin is a very good source of potassium and sodium; and it
contains a fair source of vitamin B and C. Pumpkin is extremely high in
vitamin A (one pound of pumpkin can contain as much as 5,080 I.U.). Pumpkin
has a taste that appeals to many dogs, especially mine. You can sometimes find
cooked organic pumpkin at your local health food store. The canned pumpkin is
usually already ground into a very nice purée.
Rutabagas:
It is suggested that rutabagas should not be used when kidney
troubles are present. However, rutabagas are said to help in cases of
constipation.
Spinach:
I personally do not feed spinach due to its high oxalic content which can lead to kidney stones and a depletion of calcium. Other vegetables also contain oxalic acid, but spinach is one of the higher sources of oxalic acid. At the same time, since spinach is readily available most people will overfeed spinach. Therefore, I simply do not suggest you feed spinach especially when there are a whole bunch of other vegetables that can be fed.
Spinach should ultimately be avoided because oxalic acid combines with calcium to create an indigestible compound. Read the information about beets to learn why we do not feed foods that are high in oxalic acid.
Squash:
Squash, which was eaten by native Indians long before white
men arrived in North America, is said to help with the eliminative system.
There are five general types of squash which are: hubbard, turban, mammoth,
banana, and summer. Squashes, including pumpkin, may need to be slightly
cooked before feeding in order to soften the rind.
Sweet Potato:
Sweet potatoes are extremely high in vitamin A (1 pound can
contain 30,030 I.U.). Sweet potato is said to assist the eliminative system
and is a good source of niacin.
Swiss Chard:
Containing a great deal of vitamin C and A; potassium, sodium, and calcium,
Swiss chard is said to benefit the digestive system. Swiss Chard can have a bitter taste and so feed in small amounts only. Swiss Chard can also be a powerful detoxifier and so too much can make the body detoxify too fast.
However, Swiss Chard is high in oxalic acid and therefore should be avoided if the pet (or human) suffers from or are at risk for kidney stones, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and if the stomach is easily irritated.
Swiss Chard should be avoided for the same reasons we avoid feeding beets.
Turnip:
It is said that turnips have been used in bronchial
disturbances and even asthma. Turnip leaves supposedly help the body in
controlling calcium.
Zucchini:
This excellent cleanser is smooth on the system and readily
available.