It’s so healthy for humans, but is this vegetable good for dogs? Can dogs eat jicama? Read this guide before giving your dog any part of the plant.
Read on and discover everything you need to know about dogs and jicama and whether it is good for your dog’s health.
For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating jicama.
What Is Jicama
Before we get into talking all about dogs and jicama, let’s look closely at what this food is.
Jicama is pronounced HEE-kah-ma. It is an edible tuborous root vegetable that grows naturally in Mexico, Central America, and South America. In these areas, it’s so common that it’s sold by street vendors and eaten raw seasoned with lemon or lime juice and chili powder.
In the United States it is a lot less common.
It goes by lots of different names. You might have heard it called a Mexican yam bean, Mexican turnip, or Mexican potato.
The only edible part of the jicama plant is the root. It has a sweet and starchy flavor that resembles a cross between a water chestnut and an apple.
Can Dogs Eat Jicama
Now that you know what this strange food is, can dogs eat jicama? As long as your dog is only eating the root – the actual potato or turnip part of the plant – they can safely eat jicama.
There are lots of different parts of jicama and they can all have different effects on dogs.
It’s always a really good idea to introduce your dog to new food very slowly. Watch for any signs of digestive distress. Only give your canine friend a little bit at first and watch for signs of an allergic reaction – itching, coughing, sneezing – or an upset stomach. If you notice your dog having a negative reaction to the food, contact your veterinarian.
Can Dogs Eat Fresh Jicama
Yes, dogs can eat fresh jicama. This is the only safe part of the jicama plant dogs can eat. You can serve it to them uncooked. Or, you can even fry it in a pan like you would some potatoes.
If you do sprinkle some spices on it, refer to our list of dog-safe spices. Be careful with how much salt your dog eats and never give them garlic or onions.
Even though there are lots of essential nutrients in jicama, you should still only give them small quantities of high-fiber foods because it could give them diarrhea or an upset stomach.
Can Dogs Eat Jicama Leaves
Jicama leaves are toxic for dogs. Do not allow them to eat the jicama leaves. Thankfully, when you buy jicamas at the store they come without the leaves.
If you want to grow your own jicama plants, keep your dogs away from the leaves, they will make dogs sick.
Can Dogs Eat Jicama Plants
The only part of the jicama plant that a dog can eat is the root bulb. Do not let your dog eat the leaves, bean pods, or seeds. You won’t have to worry about this unless you are trying to grow jicamas in your own garden.
Can Dogs Eat Jicama Sticks
Jicama sticks are what people call the way a jicama root is sliced. You can easily slice it into small matchsticks.
Yes, dogs can safely eat jicama sticks. It is perfectly safe to give them to your dog raw. Make sure you peel the jicama first. The skin might contain rotenone, which could be toxic to dogs too. It also might have traces of pesticides on it too.
You can also saute them or roast them too, just be careful to use dog-safe spices.
Is Jicama Good For Dogs
Yes, jicama is really good for dogs. It’s rich in fiber and has tons of micronutrients while being low in calories and carbs.
This high dietary fiber content can help your dog if they are constipated. If they aren’t constipated, only give them a small amount and watch for a need to get outside.
Jicama is good for your dog’s heart because it’s a low-calorie food that is high in fiber. It’s also good for your dog’s immune system since it has tons of potassium and vitamin C. Dogs that eat a healthy diet are more likely to have low blood pressure.
The best way to share jicama with your dog is to chop it into small pieces.
Is Jicama Bad For Dogs
The only part of the jicama plant that is good for dogs is the peeled flesh from the root bulb. The skin, the seeds, and the leaves are all toxic to dogs.
Yes, every other part of the jicama plant is bad for dogs. Keep them away from these parts of the plant.
If your dog isn’t used to eating human food that is high in fiber, then they might have digestive problems from the high fiber content in jicama. It’s best to give it to them in small bits and see how they digest it.
Jicama Benefits
Jicama has tons of amazing health benefits for your dog. Many dog owners like to give their dog jicama as a healthy treat. You might even find it listed as an ingredient in some dog food.
Not only is this food high in fiber, but it is an excellent source of other nutrients too. It’s high in the following vitamins and minerals:
- Potassium
- Iron
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Prebiotic Fiber
- Beta Carotene
It’s also a fantastic source of antioxidants, which help fight free radicals that could cause cell damage and oxidative stress.
It also doesn’t cause a spike in your dog’s blood sugar, so it will help your furry friend maintain their weight (which is great for their heart health too). Dogs that maintain a healthy weight have less of a risk of heart disease.
The health benefits of jicama make it a fantastic healthy snack for canines.
Final Thoughts
Give this food a try! Peel jicama and cut it up into small sticks and offer it to your dog. You could even try dicing it up really small and adding it to their food. It’s a very healthy root vegetable with lots of nutritional benefits.
As always, if you notice your dog having any kind of reaction from food, please contact your vet.
More Dog Food Resources
Here are some more articles about the best and worst food for your dog to eat.
- Can Dogs Eat Butternut Squash
- Can Dogs Eat Jackfruit
- Can Dogs Have Sesame Oil
- Can Dogs Eat Crawfish
- Can Dogs Eat Sauerkraut
- Can Dogs Eat Tofu
- Can Dogs Eat Turnips
Find lots more articles about food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!
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