What Vegetables Can My Boston Terrier Eat To Cool Her Down?

There are many articles touting the benefits of vegetables.  But how do you combine this knowledge and feed it to your Boston Terrier if you want to apply the concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine?   I’ve done some homework and wanted to share how you can put all the pieces together to make a healthy vegetable treat for your dog that not only gives him or her a nutritional boost but also helps to cool their system down while encouraging circulation.

So what kind of vegetables should my Boston Terrier dog that runs hot eat?  A Boston Terrier that runs hot should eat vegetables that cool her down while providing anti-inflammatory as well as aids the digestion at the same time.  You can feed a small dog a tablespoon sized treat for every twenty pounds of body weight.

Every dog is going to be different and this recipe is tailored for a dog with the following symptoms:

• They seek warm sunny spots during the day
• They burrow under the blankets at night
• Their stomach might feel damp or clammy if they have been lying or napping on the sofa for an extended period of time in the evening
• They might also have some skin issues which might be mistaken for allergies or yeast

In selecting the ingredients I looked for vegetables that had cooling properties that also aided the digestion while providing anti inflammatory benefits. I also wanted to look for qualities that would dry out dampness.

My dog Orbit has all the symptoms above. Between the two she has more skin issues.

Ingredients for a frozen vegetable treat

• 3 cucumbers
• 1 container of leafy greens (mixed spinach and lettuce)
• 3 stalks of celery
• 1 crown of broccoli

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I run this all through the food processor.

And then freeze them through the molds.

Prior to freezing I add their daily dosage of green antioxidants to each mold:

Also if you want to learn the nutritional benefits of each of the ingredients and why they were selected read: Four Paws, Five Directions

When do I feed these treats?

I used to add this to their bowls for breakfast and dinner. But I have now changed how I feed them. I now separate their protein and fruit and vegetable intake.

Their dinners are now all protein while these green veggie treats are given as snacks. I give one to them mid morning and another one mid afternoon. It just works better this way since I work out of the house and they get to snack when I do.  I shared a quick time lapse on how I made these treats our Instagram and you can watch that by clicking HERE.

Can My Boston Terrier Eat Cucumbers?

Yes. Boston Terriers can eat cucumbers. Crush or pulse them in a food processor because dogs cannot process cellulose. It should be fed in moderation. Use the size of four paws as a rough guide on the amount you can feed them.

What Does Cucumber Contain?

Cucumbers add cooling hydration. When you have a dog that runs on the hot side you can use this as the foundation base before adding the other vegetables.

Cucumbers are an excellent source of*Vitamin K, Molybdenum, Biotin, Copper, Manganese, Potassium*to name a few.

Vitamin K promotes stronger bones.

Cucumbers also promotes healthy liver and kidneys.

It’s known to contain silica and strengthens joints. If your Boston Terrier is older and suffers from arthritis add cucumber to they diet.

As with anything moderation is key so don’t feed too much as it may cause loose stools from all that fiber.

Can My Boston Terrier Eat Lettuce

Yes. Boston Terriers can eat lettuce. Crush them in a food processor because dogs cannot process cellulose. It should be fed in moderation. Use the size of their paw as a rough guideline on the amount you feed them.

What does lettuce contain?

Lettuce is considered a leafy vegetables. It’s excellent amount of Vitamin A which is important in the maintenance of skin, vision and mucous membranes, assists in growth, including bone and tooth formation, improves*immunity, antioxidant*

When your Boston Terrier is deficient in Vitamin A it could cause anorexia, skin diseases, eye problems (including night blindness), ataxia (loss of balance), hind end weakness, poor coat and increased risk of infection.

Lettuce also has vitamin K which plays a factor in blood clotting. That said there are no simple deficiencies in dogs as they can produce Vitamin K.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, lettuce is a cooling vegetable. This is good for Boston Terriers that run hot.

It also has a high fluid content which is good for lubricating the system.

What kind of lettuce should I feed my Boston Terrier?

There are six varieties based on their head formation and leave structure.

Leaf types with more bitter taste are good for regulating the bowels whether constipation or diarrhea is the problem.

Leaf types that have more of a sweet taste will help digestion and qi.

Determine what your dog’s needs are and select the lettuce that will benefit them.

How should I prepare the lettuce?

You can feed it raw or lightly cooked. This is because dogs cannot process the cellulose walls around vegetables.

Feeding it raw but crushed or pulsed through a food processor is ideal.

Also dogs do not need salad dressing and most condiments have other ingredients that they cannot eat so skip the dressing for the pooch.

What amount should I feed?

Dogs do not need a lot of lettuce. You can give them a small tablespoon or amount the size of their paw.

*When should I feed the lettuce?*

Dogs have single stomach chambers. Feed vegetables on their own as a snack as opposed to including it in their bowl.

You can use the lettuce and add it to this green boost RECIPE.

Resources:
Four Paws Five Directions
Lettuce nutrition facts and health benefits

Can my Boston Terrier eat spinach?

Yes.  Boston Terriers and all dogs can eat 1/4 spoon of Spinach for every 10lbs of body weight. Crush them in a food processor or steam them lightly because dogs cannot process cellulose. It should be fed in moderation.

What nutrition benefits does spinach contain?

Spinach is a green leafy vegetable and provides anti-inflammatory support

Spinach contains Vitamins C, A, B 2, B 6, E, Calcium, B 1

Vitamin C is an antioxidant; assists in the formation of collagen and steroids; integral in immune-system function, enhances iron absorption, tissue growth and repair

Vitamin A is Important in the maintenance of skin, vision and mucous membranes, assists in growth, including bone and tooth formation, improves*immunity, antioxidant*

Vitamin B 2 Assists in cellular growth, energy production and metabolism of nutrients, healthy skin

Vitamin b 6 Assists in metabolism of nutrients, hormone regulation, taurine and carnitine synthesis, activation of genes, glucose generation, immune response

Vitamin E is an Antioxidant; assists in circulation, reproduction and immune system function, cell membrane integrity

Calcium is essential for growth and maintenance of bones and teeth; aids in blood clotting and nerve function, regulation of contractions of muscles and heart, absorption of Vit B12

Vitamin B 1 Helps transform carbohydrates into energy; vital to nerve, stomach and heart functions. Brain function

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, spinach is a cooling vegetable. This is good for dogs that run hot.

It’s taste is sweet and the benefits of spinach to your dog is that it will help digestion and qi. It’s also a good for anti inflammatory support

What should I look for when buying spinach for my dog?

Choose spinach with deep green color, and stalks and stems that are firm and crispy.

How should I prepare the spinach?

You can feed it raw or crushed. Or you can lightly steam it. This is because dogs cannot process the cellulose walls around vegetables.

Feeding it raw but crushed or pulsed through a food processor is ideal.

What amount should I feed?

Dogs do not need a lot of spinach. They can eat about 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 lbs of body weight.

When should I feed the spinach?

Dogs have single stomach chambers. Feed spinach on its own as a snack as opposed to including it in their bowl.

You can add it to this green boost RECIPE.

RESOURCES

Four Paws Five Directions
Acupuncture.Com – Chinese Nutrition by Food Group – Traditional Chinese

Can My Boston Terrier Eat Celery?

So, how can your Boston Terrier eat celery?  Yes.  Bostons and all dogs can eat celery? Crush them in a food processor because dogs cannot process cellulose. It should be fed in moderation or it will cause gas. Feed a small dog a small skinny stalk while a larger dog can eat a full one.

What nutrition benefits does celery contain?

Celery is great for conventional antioxidant nutrients including vitamin C, beta carotene and manganese. And the phytonutrients in it have been shown to provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, celery is a cooling vegetable. This is good for dogs that run hot.

It also has a high fluid content which is good for lubricating the system.

What parts should I feed?

Celery leaves have high vitamin A content, whilst the stems are an excellent source of vitamins B1 B2 , B6, folic acid and C.

Vitamin B1 helps transform carbohydrates into energy; vital to nerve, stomach and heart functions. Brain function

Vitamin B2 Assists in cellular growth, energy production and metabolism of nutrients, healthy skin

Vitamin B6 Assists in metabolism of nutrients, hormone regulation, taurine and carnitine synthesis, activation of genes, glucose generation, immune response

In Traditional Chinese Medicine it’s classified as salty, sweet and bitter.

It’s healing properties are it improves digestion, cools stomach heat and can reduce appetite due to stomach heat.

It also soothes an irritated liver, and cools heat in the liver.

It dries dampness in the body that often comes with spleen Qi Deficiency. If your dog’s stomach is sweaty when they are lying on the sofa in the evening then this is a symptom of dampness.

What should I look for when buying celery for my dog?

Buy organic if you can because celery is known for being contaminated with pesticides. If you don’t buy organic wash it carefully and well.

Look for vibrantly green celery as this indicates a freshness, robustness and high chlorophyl content.

Celery should be fresh meaning it is firm and crisp, not limp.

How should I prepare the celery?

You can feed it raw or crushed. This is because dogs cannot process the cellulose walls around vegetables.

Feeding it raw but crushed or pulsed through a food processor is ideal.

What amount should I feed?

Dogs do not need a lot of celery. Too much will give them gas. A small dog can have half a stalk while a larger dog can have one full one.

When should I feed the celery?

Dogs have single stomach chambers. Feed celery on it’s own as a snack as opposed to including it in their bowl.

You can use the celery and add it to this green boost RECIPE.

Resources:
Four Paws Five Directions
Celery Nutrition And Health Information!

Can my Boston Terrier eat broccoli?

Yes.  Boston Terriers and all dogs can eat broccoli in an amount of 1/4 teaspoon for every 10lbs of body weight. Crush them in a food processor or steam them lightly because dogs cannot process cellulose. It should be fed in moderation or it will cause gas.

What nutrition benefits does broccoli contain?

Broccoli can aid in cancer prevention. It’s unique combination of antioxidant, anti inflammatory and pro detoxification components in broccoli make it a unique food in terms of cancer prevention.

It’s high in Vitamin K, C, Folate, Fiber, B6, B2 and Vitamin A

It’s great for the digestive system and immune system.

It’s also great for the skin due to the high concentration of sulforaphane which boosts the liver and skins detoxification abilities.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, broccoli is a cooling vegetable. This is good for dogs that run hot.

It’s taste is slightly bitter tasting. Vegetables that have a bitter taste are good for regulating the bowels whether constipation or diarrhea is the problem.

What should I look for when buying broccoli for my dog?

Choose broccoli with deep green color, and stalks and stems that are firm.

How should I prepare the broccoli?

You can feed it raw or crushed. This is because dogs cannot process the cellulose walls around vegetables.

Feeding it raw but crushed or pulsed through a food processor is ideal.

What amount should I feed?

Dogs do not need a lot of broccoli. Too much will give them gas. They can eat about 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 lbs of body weight.

When should I feed the broccoli?

Dogs have single stomach chambers. Feed broccoli on its own as a snack as opposed to including it in their bowl.

You can add it to this green boost RECIPE.

RESOURCES

Four Paws Five Directions
Broccoli Nutrition: And Healing Power Information

In conclusion

Feeding vegetables to your Boston Terrier on a daily basis adds fresh nutrients and fiber. For the Boston Terrier that runs hot and needs cooling anti-inflammatory purposes, focus on the vegetables that both hydrate and cool them down.

Remember dogs cannot process raw vegetables so run them through the food processor and then freeze them in small serving size molds to add to their bowls every day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hello my name is Hannah and I dance with my dogs.  A self proclaimed Boston Terrier addict, (aka breed advocate) I started this blog because there isn’t enough space to write on our Instagram.  Maggie is my socially awkward one; which I find highly relatable because I am completely out of place in large groups myself.  And Orbit is my sensitive flower.  Blow on her skin wrong (ok I might be exaggerating) and she breaks out in a rash.

You won’t read about cats here… but you will get a fairly large dosage of articles dedicated to the Boston Terrier.    Read more about us.