There are three types of people.
#1 My dog has just eaten jicama, do I need to worry?
#2 My dog begged for a little chunk of food when I was eating jicama but I didn’t give it to him because I thought it may be harmful to him.
#3 I often give jicama to my dog as a treat and he loves it. Am I doing good?
If you are one of them, keep reading this post whether you are on the right side or not.
Many dog parents feel guilty when they are having a meal and their fur baby begs them for food but they couldn’t give them because they don’t if it is safe for their dog or not. While many parents do not hesitate to feed their dogs with regular human food but this practice may be dangerous because many human food items are toxic to dogs such as grapes.
Dogs have a different digestive system than humans and they may react differently to different foods. So, before giving any human food item, it’s good to do some research or ask your vet and follow his instructions.
In this article, you are gonna find everything about jicama and its effects on dogs.
Table of Contents
What is Jicama?
Jicama is a Mexican vegetable that is quite famous not only in Mexico but also in South America and Central America. Jicama is easily available in these regions where locals consume it with lemon juice and sprinkled chili powder.
Also known as Mexican yam bean, Mexican potato, and Mexican turnip, it is a very healthy and superb prebiotic diet for humans. The main reason behind jicama’s popularity is its health benefits.
Can Dogs Eat Jicama, is it Safe for Them?
Jicama is a non-toxic vegetable high in antioxidants, fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, and many other nutrients that are totally safe for dogs.
Only the flesh of the jicama root is safe to eat for humans and dogs. Its stem, skin, seeds, and leaves are toxic.
Although it is a non-toxic vegetable, the amount you feed your dog plays a vital role. Giving it in abundant amounts can cause plenty of problems, such as digestion distress or allergic reaction (itching, sneezing, coughing). So, for the safe side, just give a small amount of jicama to your dog and see how it reacts.
Benefits of Jicama for Dogs
- It is one of the lowest-calorie nutrients that helps in managing your dog’s weight.
- The vegetable is rich in vitamins A, B, and C.
- It contains a high amount of fiber that aids in managing stomach problems in dogs.
- Jicama is highly beneficial for the overall health of your dog due to its inulin content, which is a strong prebiotic.
What are the Side effects of Jicama on dogs?
Even though jicama is completely safe for your dog, its plant is quite toxic as it contains rotenone. Rotenone is a poisonous substance that can kill your dog so make sure your dog does not consume any other part of jicama than its root flesh. If you have a jicama plant on your lawn, you should not let your dog roam around it or to be on the safe side, remove this plant from your lawn.
If by any chance your dog gets to eat other parts of jicama, expect the following conditions.
- An upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Breathing problem
- Neurological disorder
- Hypoxemic
- Urinary frequency
- Drooling
If you witness any of the mentioned symptoms, you should immediately take your dog to the veterinarian.
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What is the Ideal Quantity of Jicama a Dog Can Eat?
1/4 cup of jicama is safe and highly beneficial for dogs. So, you can feed your dog with 1/4 cup of cooked, boiled, or raw jicama. Make sure you don’t sprinkle chili on it as it is common in many areas where jicama is consumed. You can also mix it with your dog’s daily food or stuff it in kong along with peanut butter, kibble, and other food items.
FAQs
Can I give raw jicama to my dog?
Yes, raw jicama is safe and you can give your dog without any fear but without any spices and a moderate amount.
Can dogs eat boiled Jicama?
As long as it has no additional ingredients which are toxic to dogs, you can feed boiled jicama to your dog.
Can I use Jicama as a treat?
Yes, it’s perfectly ok to use jicama root’s flesh as treat in a fair amount.
Final Words:
The short answer to this question is; yes, you can feed jicama to your dog. If it’s easily available in your region, you should include it in your fur baby’s regular diet. But the key takeaway is: your dog can only eat the jicama root. All other parts are not edible.
In case of any reaction, you should immediately refer to your veterinarian. It is also recommended to ask your vet before adding any new item to your dog’s diet.
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