To keep your dog healthy and energized, it is of utmost importance that its diet does not have any deficiencies. Most of us tend to be of the impression that all dogs require are seeds, but the truth is quite contradictory. Ideally, seeds should only make up a small fraction of your bird’s diet. The rest of the portion should be enriched with other different varieties of foods such as fruits, nuts, vegetables, and a handful of human foods as well as others.
Now we know how overwhelming it can sound to ponder upon the fact that you need to provide your dog with the perfect diet and constantly maintain its levels of intake. However, believe us when we say that it isn’t as much of a chore as it may sound. If you are a new dog owner, it is only about time before you start to enjoy cooking and feeding your dog with varieties of meals. We can already envision you preparing oatmeal breakfast for your little birdie as the morning rays enter your kitchen! Having said that, we will do all that we can to make it easier for you to feed your dog different dishes without being in a state of confusion.
Henceforth, let us see if a flower, as pretty as a hibiscus, is worthy enough for your dog to nourish itself over.
All That You Need to Know About Hibiscus.
If you think hibiscus is simply a flower appreciated and praised for its vibrant colors and beautification, you are in for a surprise. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most appealing flowers, but there is so much more to it! It is considered to be a food in some parts of the world because of its benefits and savory tart-like taste. You may eat the flower right after plucking it from the plant or by making use of it in other craftier ways. The vastly grown reddish-pink flower is most credited for the flavor it brings to hibiscus tees. Not only is it relishing but also exotic, what more could you ask for? On other occasions, it is kept dry and is eaten afterward.
Can dogs Eat Hibiscus and Is it Safe?
Without any further ado, let’s get down to answering the question that has been circulating inside your head since you started this read. Yes, your dog can eat hibiscus and there is nothing that you have to be worried about when it comes to the mentioned flower. If anything, it will only be an efficacious and delightful addition to the appetite of the dog. We assure you, if it could speak human language, it would without a doubt thank you for treating its taste buds. So, the next time you find your dog sitting on a hibiscus flower plant, know that it is in good hands. However, there is a certain exception that you need to be exceptionally heedful about.
Under What Condition Is It Unsafe for a dog to Eat a Hibiscus?
While it is true that hibiscus, like a flower itself, is not capable of bringing harm to your lovely dog, nonetheless the situation might flip over if the flower is sprayed with an Insecticide or a Pesticide. We do not intend to worry you in the least, but as a pet parent, it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it is the health of your best bud at stake. It is not uncommon for farmers and other people (who do not own pets or other flower/plant-eating animals) to make use of pesticides to keep insects away. Consequently, considering the likelihood of danger, pay heed to the fact that your dog only devours plants in your backyard or another pesticide-free zone.
The Effect of Pesticide on dogs (And Other Birds)
As you may have already guessed, pesticides are unfriendly, not dogs in all ways possible. If the pesticide/insecticide contains strong toxins, it can be comparatively more injurious to them. However, if the sprayed pesticide is somewhat environment friendly, it is likely that your dog will not be enveloped in an uneasy circumstance or that it will be relieved rather quickly.
Having put that out there, dogs are fragile creatures and their tiny bodies do not have enough stamina nor immunity to deal and breakthrough a physical illness. Therefore, it would be in the best of both of your interests to not entirely rely on the toxin level of the pesticide.
In addition to this, if you are tired of bugs and want to make use of a pest control spray, we would advise you to DIY a pesticide at home e.g., a pesticide/insecticide can be made by crushing flowers of the Pyrethrum Plant (it has no turndowns to birds or other mammals).
What Benefits Does Hibiscus Bring to Your dog?
The advantages a particular food item brings has always been a matter of concern for pet owners, especially parents to dogs. If you are someone like that as well, you may rest assured that the flower will add to the energy levels of your dog and bring it, if not all, most of the goodness of any edible flower or plant.
And if you wish to precisely satisfy yourself and your loving parent instinct for your dog, we have mentioned several benefits that the plant will bring to the bird as follows;
- It has medicinal benefits
- Gives your dog a boost of vitamin C
- Relief from high blood pressure
- Relief from high cholesterol
- Helps strengthen the immunity system of a bird
- Helps avoid and fight digestive system problems
Flowers That You May Feed Your Pet Aside Hibiscus
If you notice that your dog has a liking for flowers and organic herbs, a list of flowers you can safely allow your dog to eat are;
- Pansies
- Daisies
- Honeysuckle
- Lilac
- African violets
- Sunflowers
- Roses
You’re welcome!