Can Dogs Eat Broccoli? Is Broccoli Good For Dogs?
Can dogs eat broccoli? Yes, but only in moderation. Too much will upset your dog’s stomach. And some parts of the broccoli can be dangerous for your dog. Your dog can benefit from occasionally including broccoli to its diet, but you need to be well aware of the pros and cons of this.
Quick NavigationHealth Benefits of Broccoli for DogsHow Much Broccoli Can a Dog Eat?How to Feed Broccoli to A DogIs Broccoli Safe for DogsMy Dog Ate Too Much Broccoli! What now?Why Can’t Dogs Eat Everything Humans Eat?Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?
Health Benefits of Broccoli for Dogs
Broccoli is one of those vegetables that lots people often pull up their noses at. But it’s one of the most nutrient-packed greens. It’s a great source of vitamin A, C and K. It’s rich in folate and manganese. And it is very low in fat and calories. Broccoli is also an excellent source of dietary fiber.
It can help your dog stay regular and improve its digestive system. Because broccoli is rich in antioxidants, it can help fight chronic diseases as well as slow down the aging process in dogs. It contains bioflavonoids which help to fight inflammations, cancer and allergies. Plus, it has oral-enhancing properties to help keep your dog’s teeth in good condition.
Dog food brands have recently started to include broccoli in their products. It’s a great inexpensive snack, if your dog likes the taste.
How Much Broccoli Can a Dog Eat?
The amount of broccoli your dog can ingest, depends on the size of the dog. A good estimate is to include a maximum of 10% in your dog’s overall diet. More than this can cause health problems. Broccoli is not poisonous, but it contains isothiocyanate that can cause gastrointestinal irritation if too much is consumed. Read this article to be aware of the possible toxicity of broccoli.
Tip: divide your dog’s food into ten to twenty equal parts. This way you can easily estimate what is the correct amount to feed it.
How to Feed Broccoli to A Dog
Can dogs eat broccoli? Yes, and you can decide whether you want to feed your dog raw or cooked broccoli. Experiment with the options to find out which method your dog prefers. The stem of the broccoli can be a great chewing toy for your dog. Just be careful with bigger dogs, they can easily choke on it.
Can puppies eat broccoli? Yes, but much less than an adult dog. Feed your puppy maximum one stalk of broccoli at a time and rather stick to maximum once a week because their digestive systems are much more sensitive than an adult dog.
As with all dietary changes, first check with your veterinarian whether it will be suitable for your dog specifically. Also, start introducing the broccoli slowly into your dog’s regular diet to avoid an upset stomach. Too much broccoli can cause gas. For easy digestion and to avoid your dog from choking, break the broccoli stalk into small pieces.
If you decide to cook the broccoli, do not season with salt or any other spices. Keep the broccoli in its most natural form. Too much salt can be very dangerous to your dog’s health. Rather just boil the broccoli in water or steam it.
Is Broccoli Safe for Dogs
Can dogs eat broccoli? Yes, it is full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Adding it to your dog’s diet in moderation can be very beneficial for its overall health. But the emphasis is on moderation, do not add more than 10% to your dog’s diet, to stay within a healthy dose of isothiocyanate.
If your dog is prone to choking on food items, try to take off the stem’s fiber skin before giving it as a chewing toy. Or rather just stick to feeding it the broccoli head. Using small pieces of the broccoli head can be a great alternative treat, or used as a training treat as well.
WARNING
More than 25% of broccoli intake can be lethal because of the isothiocyanate content.
Dogs with goiter issues should not be fed any broccoli. If your dog often struggles with an upset stomach, you should also stay clear of feeding it broccoli. Dogs can be classified omnivores, but their digestive system is more geared towards processing large amounts of meat. It’s best to rather only give your dog broccoli as an occasional snack, not as an everyday addition to its diet.
My Dog Ate Too Much Broccoli! What now?
If your dog only looks mildly discomforted from eating too much broccoli, simply give it lots of water for the body to rid itself from the overdose naturally. The symptoms should clear up after 24 hours. If they persist for longer than this, take your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup.
Symptoms of a broccoli overdose
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Unusually lethargic
- Dog whimpers or tucks its body into a ball
- Excessively hyperactive
- Doesn’t want to eat any other foods
- The white of the dog’s eyes turn yellow
- Pale gums
- Disorientation
- Collapsing
- Seizures
- Coma
Why Can’t Dogs Eat Everything Humans Eat?
Your dog will always beg for food while you’re eating. You can feed your dog some human foods, but it’s important to always do this in moderation. And only occasionally. Plus, first check with your veterinarian if whatever food you want to add to your dog’s diet, is safe for its specific health situation.
Our digestive process begins with the mouth, teeth, and saliva. Food travels through the whole upper body before it arrives at the large and small intestines. Our intestines are about 25 to 28 feet in total length. A dog’s digestive system works quite differently. Food passes through the mouth and esophagus and digestion start in the stomach. Here pieces of bone and meat are broken down by hydrochloric acid. Dogs have the shortest digestive system of all mammals. For a dog the whole digestive process takes about eight to nine hours.
Don’t just assume that anything you can eat will be safe for your dog. First investigate properly before feeding your dog foods outside its regular diet.
Some other human foods that are safe for dogs:
Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?
Broccoli has many health benefits for your dog including cell regeneration, fighting cancer, strengthening the immune system as well as offering overall nutritional balance. But remember to stick to less than 10% of your dog’s overall diet.
You can give the whole broccoli to your dog – from the florets, to the stalk and stem. Offer it to your dog as a snack on its own, or mix it with meat and other veggies.
Does your dog like veggies? Is it a fan of broccoli? What’s its ultimate favorite veggie?