Do You Want TO Reduce Your Pet’s Food Costs? Check Out These Garden Plants That Can Feed Your Furry Friends!
Vegetables and fruits are important not only for the human diet but also for our pets’ health. They provide vitamins and minerals to protect their cells from disease. And that is not all! Growing plants specifically for your pet would help you save some money! I know how expensive can be to have a pet. There are never-ending problems that cost you a significant amount every single month.
By improving your gardening skills and adding some pet-friendly plants, you’ll reduce a little bit of your monthly expenses. Another bonus is that most of these plants are very easy to grow. So, here are the 14 garden plants that can feed your pet and change your life, for the better!
Dogs
Dogs LOVE meat… but, for a balanced diet, veggies and fruits are a MUST! So, below, you’ll find some of the most loved ones by dogs.
1. Melons
On hot summer days, my dog bags for watermelons. I did some research and did my best to have our own watermelons in the garden. It turns out that Missy knew what was good for her, and since she regularly eats watermelon, her blood tests were significantly improved. Vitamin A, B-6, and C plus are essential! Plus, the melons are quite hydrating, which is also an advantage!
Vitamin A and Beta-carotene are found in Cantaloupe and are very good for our dogs’ health. All you have to do, no matter the type of melon you choose, is to remove the rinds and seeds first.
2. Spinach
Spinach is full of iron, which will help your dog’s diet fight any inflammatory and cardiovascular problems. Spinach and its benefits for the health can also prevent certain forms of cancer. This garden plant is also a natural source of calcium. Make sure you benefit from all its advantages and start growing spinach in your garden!
3. Green Beans
Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, and K are found in green beans, meaning that they are great if your dog needs to lose a little weight. Just make sure you steam the green beans before offering them to your dog! Green beans are very easy to grow, which is why most gardeners have them around their homes.
Cats
You already know that cats are carnivores. But, even though, meat is their main source of proteins, integrating fresh vegetables into their diet is important. These plants can be offered as treats or meal additives, but not as a replacement for a regular meal.
1. Carrots
Mix cooked and diced carrots with your cat’s meaty entree. Carrots are a huge source of healthy carotene as well as other vitamins and minerals. Keep in mind that you should never serve raw carrots to your cat. They represent a big risk of choking.
2. Peas
If you want to ensure a boost of proteins and carbohydrates, you can mash some cooked peas into your cat’s regular meal. Peas are great for gastrointestinal problems in cats. But, keep in mind, that the pods can be too tough for them, it’s better to feed them only the peas themselves.
3. Broccoli
Cats LOVE to nibble, and by doing it on steamed broccoli, they can gain healthy antioxidants and boost their immune system. It’s not hard at all to grow broccoli in your own garden, but until you can do it by yourself, try feeding your cat with market-bought broccoli to see their reaction.
Rabbits
Rabbits are not strictly herbivores, being classified as obligate herbivores. In terms of diet, it means that they are the opposite of cats. So, plants must be their main food source, but they can also eat meat.
1. Marigolds
Marigolds are colorful and easy to grow, and rabbits love them. Considering that other varieties have a much stronger scent, you should opt for the Calendula species of Marigolds. But, most importantly, don’t fall in love with their aspect, because your hungry bunnies can eat them in just a few minutes.
2. Herbs
Bunnies are in love with herbs. So, why wouldn’t you want to try and grow some herbs for them? They will gain all the nutritional benefits they need while also enjoying their meals. It sounds like a perfect plan.
3. Dandelions
It’s good to know that dandelions and clover make wonderful rabbit food. They are easy to grow and contain more beta-carotene than carrots and more iron and calcium than spinach.
4. Leaf lettuce
Did you know that the darker the lettuce the healthier it is? The good news about growing lettuce for rabbits is that they are not as fussy about taste as we are. They will enjoy lettuce even after it has bolted.
Even though we are used to the images of bunnies eating carrots, it’s better to avoid giving them to your pets. Carrots are high in sugar and can cause digestive upset if eaten in excess.
Goats
Goats chew cud as they are ruminant animals and herbivores. Though you can grow other plants for your goats, they still adore grass and hay!
1. Root vegetables
The leaves and roots of carrots, turnips, and radishes are delicacies for goats! As they munch, they will be getting valuable vitamins and minerals.
2. Pea and Bean Vines
After gathering the beans and peas for your family, allow your goats to graze on the vines for some healthy sustenance.
3. Vetch
This cover crop belongs to the family of flowering legume plants and grows quickly. It genuinely increases the soil’s nitrogen level and gives your goats a high-quality source of protein.
So, by growing your own plants you can significantly cut down on your pet’s food costs.
What to Avoid
Not all the garden plants are safe for your pets! Tomatoes, potatoes, and onions are some of the vegetables your pets should stay away from. This information also applies to flowers. Certain varieties of flowers such as clematis, crocus, daffodils, foxglove, morning glory, and narcissus are toxic for most pets. So, keep this away from your pets as best as you can.
Plant poisoning is a dangerous health issue and it comes with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, heavy breathing, and listlessness. If you suspect that your pet has plant poisoning, call your vet immediately! If you know exactly which plant caused poisoning to your pet, take a part of it with you at your vet’s office. It will be easier for the vet to treat the symptoms and make your furry friend feel better.
On the ASPCA website, you can find information about all the plants that can be toxic for pets and put their lives in danger. So, we recommend you visit it and get informed before making significant changes to your garden.
Also, if you are new to gardening or want to improve your skills, you should also check out this article: 10 Weird Gardening Hacks That Genuinely Work. Gardening implies physical, mental, and emotional benefits. It also provides cognitive stimulation and stress relief. It’s one of the favorite activities seniors have in the United States. But with the right tools and hacks gardening can be accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
