Can dogs eat carrots?
Updated 5 August 2026
Yes. Carrots are one of the best vegetables to share with a dog: safe raw or cooked, cheap, and about 25 calories in a whole medium carrot. The only real care point is size, because a chunk swallowed whole can choke a dog that gulps.
The detail
Carrots earn their place as the default vegetable in the treat drawer. The PDSA and the Kennel Club both list them as safe raw or cooked, and most dogs genuinely enjoy the crunch.
The calorie maths is the appeal. A whole medium carrot carries around 25 calories, a fraction of what the same weight of shop-bought training treats would, which matters when half of UK dogs are overweight.
Size the pieces to the dog. The Kennel Club's advice is to cut carrots very small for dogs that swallow food whole, and a raw carrot given whole should go to a dog that chews rather than gulps.
What is in a medium carrot (about 60g)
| Calories | Around 25A fraction of the same weight in shop treats |
| Sugar | Around 3g |
| Fibre | Around 2g |
| Anything toxic to dogs | NothingThe choking risk is chunk size, not the vegetable |
How much is sensible
| Dog size | Sensible amount |
|---|---|
| Small (under 10kg)Chihuahua, Jack Russell | A few thin rounds, or half a small carrot cut up |
| Medium (10 to 25kg)Cocker spaniel, border collie | Half a medium carrot, in sticks or rounds |
| Large (over 25kg)Labrador, German shepherd | A whole medium carrot, chopped if they gulp |
| Dogs that bolt their food | Grate it or cut it small. The choking risk is the piece, not the carrot |
Can dogs eat raw carrots?
Yes, and raw is the form most dogs like best. A raw carrot is a low-calorie chew that keeps a bored dog busy for a few minutes, which is more than most treats manage.
Match the size to the eater. A whole carrot suits a large dog that chews; rounds or sticks suit small dogs and anyone whose dinner disappears in one swallow.
Cooked and boiled carrots
Also fine, as long as they are plain. Boiled or steamed carrots with nothing added are soft enough for older dogs and easier on any dog with worn teeth.
The Sunday-roast version is the one to skip. Carrots glazed in honey or butter, or roasted in meat fat, bring sugar and grease your dog does not need.
Frozen carrots for teething puppies
A frozen carrot is an old kennel trick for a teething puppy, and it holds up. The cold numbs sore gums and the carrot survives longer than most chews.
Choose a carrot too big to swallow, supervise the session and take it away once it has been gnawed down to a swallowable stump. For very young puppies, part-frozen is kinder than rock hard.
Carrot tops and leaves
The feathery green tops are fine. They are not toxic to dogs, and a dog that grabs a mouthful while you are prepping vegetables needs no more than a shrug.
Few dogs actually want them, though. The root is where the crunch is, and the tops are better going in the stock pot or the compost.
Common questions
Can dogs eat carrots every day?
Yes, within reason. A few rounds a day is a low-calorie habit, as long as all treats together stay around a tenth of daily calories.
My dog swallowed a large chunk of carrot. What now?
If they are breathing and behaving normally, it will most likely pass. Watch for gagging, vomiting or refusing food over the next day, and ring your vet if any of those appear.
Can dogs eat carrot cake?
No. The cake brings sugar and fat, and many recipes add raisins or walnuts, both of which are a problem for dogs. The carrot is the only dog-friendly thing in it.
Do carrots clean dogs' teeth?
The crunch scrapes off a little plaque, but it is a bonus rather than a dental plan. Brushing and vet dental checks do the actual work.
Are tinned or frozen carrots safe for dogs?
Frozen carrots are fine plain. Tinned ones are often stored in salted water, so rinse them well or stick to fresh.
Can puppies eat carrots?
Yes, cut small, and a large frozen carrot is a classic teething chew under supervision. Take it away once it is gnawed down to a swallowable stump.