What vegetables are bad for dogs?
As part of the allium plant family, onions and chives are toxic to dogs. If your dog has eaten onions and you notice symptoms like dark yellow urine, decreased energy levels, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, be sure to contact your vet right away.
Similar to onions, this smelly vegetable is healthy for humans but toxic to dogs. If eaten in small amounts, garlic can result in diarrhea and vomiting, but bigger amounts can cause red blood cells to burst, leading to anemia. This leads to loss of energy, weakness, and collapse.
Mushrooms bought in the supermarket are generally not harmful to dogs, as long as they’re served plain and in small amounts. However, some wild mushrooms are very toxic and should never be given to dogs. Signs of mushroom poisoning include diarrhea, excessive drooling, poor coordination, collapse, and death. If your dog ingests a wild mushroom, contact your vet immediately.
Corn itself isn’t harmful to dogs but it also doesn’t offer much nutritional value for them. If you decide to give your dog corn, offer it in small quantities. Never give your pet corn cobs as they can cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage if swallowed.
Tomatoes are a member of the nightshade family, which means that they contain solanine, a toxic chemical that can cause seizures and tremors. Although ripe tomatoes are generally safe for dogs, the stems, leaves, and green produce of the plant contain higher amounts of solanine. Therefore, be very careful if you have a vegetable garden that your pup can rummage around.
Eggplant is another member of the nightshade family and is linked to allergic reactions in some dogs. Be sure to start with a small quantity of cooked eggplant, to see if your dog tolerates this veggie or not.
Radishes aren’t toxic to dogs but the shape can be quite dangerous. If your pet swallows a whole radish, they might end up with serious intestinal obstruction. So, if you decide to feed radishes to your pet, be sure to slice them thinly first.
Pro Tip: Pups can be guilty of ingesting strange items and forbidden foods, causing their owners lots of worries and astronomic vet bills. Pet insurance is designed for unpredictable accidents and illnesses that could happen to your four-legged companion.
Small pieces of dog-safe vegetables, such as pumpkin, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, broccoli, or cauliflower make delicious and healthy treats for puppies, as long as they are cooked, finely cut, and served plain.
However, bear in mind that treats shouldnt comprise more than 5% of your puppy’s diet, so veggies should be offered in small amounts and as occasional treats.
Consult with your vet about your puppy’s nutrition and whether it is safe to feed them the vegetables included in our dog-safe list.
Just like with any new human food, it’s best to introduce vegetables into your dog’s diet slowly. Start with a small amount and keep an eye on your pup. If they don’t show adverse reactions like diarrhea, vomiting, or excess gas, increase the amount gradually.
As a rule of thumb, if humans can eat a certain vegetable raw, so can dogs. So, it’s perfectly fine to offer raw celery or green beans, but you must always cook veggies like potatoes and yams.
Be sure to always cut the veggies into small, bite-sized pieces in order to reduce the risk of choking.
Serve the vegetables plain, without any salt, butter, spices, or oils. By adding any of these, you will not only destroy the nutritional value of vegetables but also cause harm to your four-legged friend.
In general, gently cooking (steaming, grilling, or blanching) will make the vegetables easier for your dog to digest and absorb all the nutrients.
For maximum benefits and digestibility, vegetables can also be blended into a puree. You can feed the pureed vegetables right away or pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze to make a healthy and refreshing summer treat.
Don’t forget that moderation is key. Although vegetables are good for your dog, they should make up to 10% of their daily calorie intake. Eating too many veggies can negatively change the gut flora or increase alkalinity and cause kidney issues.
Heres a recap on the list of vegetables dogs can eat alongside the vegetables dogs cant eat:
| Vegetables Dogs CAN Eat | Vegetables Dogs CANT Eat |
|---|---|
| Broccoli | Onions |
| Cabbage | Garlic |
| Carrots | Mushrooms |
| Asparagus | Corn |
| Zucchini | Tomatoes |
| Celery | Eggplant |
| Cauliflower | Radishes |
| Beans | |
| Potatoes | |
| Spinach | |
| Kale | |
| Pumpkin | |
| Beets | |
| Cucumbers | |
| Peppers | |
| Peas | |
| Sweet potatoes | |
| Brussels sprouts | |
| Lettuce |
Health benefits of broccoli for dogs
Not only is broccoli teeming with vitamin C, calcium, and potassium, but it’s also low in calories and high in fiber to keep your dog’s digestive system moving.
Broccoli florets, and all cruciferous vegetables for that matter, contain small molecules called isothiocyanates, which provide health benefits like anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is these same molecules that can cause nausea, gas, bloating, and diarrhea, if your dog overeats broccoli.
FAQs
Because of the Isothiocyanate in the florets, broccoli should make up only 10% of your dog’s daily calories. It will be toxic if your dog ingests near the 25% ratio of broccoli. Talk to your vet before giving your dog any new food, and start with small pieces, offering more if there are no negative reactions.
Can Dogs Eat Broccoli And Cauliflower? | DogVela
Diets are a tricky business, whether you’re feeding yourself or providing for your family and pets. There are so many options and conflicting advice out there, and everyone has a different opinion.
There is no single right answer for nutrition (nothing is perfect), but unfortunately, there are many wrong answers. Let’s look at elements of your dog’s diet and what is safe to include.
We know that vegetables are an essential part of a varied diet for both people and dogs, but can cauliflower be appropriate for your dog?