Most dogs are known for being food-obsessed, but what do you do when they start begging for human food? Can they eat broccoli? Here’s a closer look at whether or not broccoli is suitable for dogs and some tips on safely giving them this healthy vegetable.
Broccoli is safe for your dog to eat in moderation. Broccoli is rich in vitamins and minerals, and it has many healthy nutrients. When giving broccoli to a dog, you should cook it and serve it plainly without any seasonings. Let’s run through the best way of feeding your dog broccoli.
Always consult your veterinarian when giving your dogs new foods.
Benefits Of Broccoli For Dogs
There are many benefits to feeding broccoli to your dog. It helps keep their bones healthy, their eyes healthy, and their coats shiny.
Nutrients Of Broccoli
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
Broccoli – Best Served To A Dog
If you plan to treat your dog to broccoli, follow how best to serve it from the advice below.
Only cook in plain water or roast without added herbs, spices, sauce, or oil. Adding other ingredients pose a risk to your dog’s health.
Ensure that the food has cooled down before serving it to your dog.
Never give your dog raw broccoli because a dog’s digestive system doesn’t do well when dealing with raw vegetables. Raw vegetables irritate their stomachs.
Make sure your dog doesn’t overeat on broccoli as it could lead to vomiting or diarrhoea. Just a few small pieces are plenty for a dog at any time.
Their bellies are much smaller than ours, and dogs often have eyes bigger than their bellies. So you must portion control for them!
Amount Of Broccoli
For small dogs like a chihuahua, just one small broccoli florets at any one time are enough. Larger dog breeds, such as a german shepherd, can have roughly four small florets. Anything more than this is too many, and your dog could get an upset stomach.
Can I feed my dog raw broccoli?
No, it would be best if you did not give your dog raw broccoli. Raw broccoli is hard for a dog’s digestive system to break down, and they will not get the complete nutrients from it. You should cook broccoli plainly without adding herbs, spices, sauce or oil.
Why can broccoli cause an upset stomach in dogs?
Broccoli can cause an upset stomach in dogs due to having high amounts of cellulose. Even though broccoli isn’t toxic to a dog, the stomach will find it hard to break down, thus releasing various gasses such as nitrogen, methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
Do all dogs like broccoli?
Like humans, not all dogs will like to eat broccoli. If you start them off early, they will be more than likely to continue to eat broccoli when they grow older.
My dog loves broccoli. He is six months old and is undoubtedly food-obsessed. See my video below.
Can puppies eat broccoli?
Yes, puppies can safely eat broccoli. Broccoli is a good source of nutrition for puppies. It is essential to serve it in small doses and cook it first. Make sure not to add any seasonings, as they could be harmful to the puppy.
At what age can puppies eat broccoli?
Puppies can safely eat broccoli from the age of eight weeks old. Broccoli in moderation is a perfect healthy snack. However, raw broccoli will to rich for their tummies, so it’s best to boil first.
Other Vegetables Known To Cause Excess Gas In Dogs
Not just broccoli can cause diarrhoea or excess gas in dogs. The below vegetables also do. However, these vegetables are safe for dogs to eat in moderation only.
- Asparagus
- Brussell Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
What happens when dogs overeat broccoli
- Bloat
- Diarrhoea
- Excess Gas
Overeating Broccoli
If your dog has a bad case of diarrhoea, don’t worry. First, keep an eye on them and ensure they don’t get too dehydrated. If the problem persists, you will need to take them to the vet. But most likely, their diarrhoea will go away on its own, and they will be back to normal in no time.
Remember
Broccoli is healthy and has a lot of vitamins and minerals, which benefit your dog’s health. Just remember, dont overfeed them to your dog, or they could get an upset stomach. Always cook plainly, and dont add anything such as herbs, spices, oil or sauces to them. Following this advice, your dog can safely eat broccoli, and even puppies can enjoy it from eight weeks old.
