Our canine companions are beloved members of the family, deserving only the highest quality dietary choices. Providing our dogs with wholesome nutrition is one way to ensure they remain healthy and happy for years to come! So, can dogs eat broccoli? From this article, you will learn:
Key Takeaways
- you can give your dog some broccoli ✔️
- there are plenty of benefits to feeding your pup broccoli ✔️
- too much of broccoli florets can cause some digestive problems ✔️
- how much of this vegetable you should give your dog ✔️
- how to prepare broccoli for dogs ✔️
Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?
Can dogs eat broccoli? Yes, broccoli are, in general, safe for dogs, but you’re best off serving them cooked or frozen! There are plenty of health benefits to feeding broccoli to your dog, including improved digestion and a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. Their rich vitamin C and vitamin K content also works to keep your dog in good shape.
It’s also worth noting that feeding your dog broccoli is a great way to control your pup’s weight in the case of them getting a bit chubby. As long as you keep your pup’s broccoli consumption in moderation, broccoli could be a great new dog food for your pup!
Is Broccoli Good for Dogs?
Can dogs eat broccoli? The health benefits we listed below, prove that not only they can, but they should!
Vitamins and Minerals
Broccoli is a good source of several essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as potassium, magnesium, and zinc. All of these nutrients are good for dogs to have a lot of in their diet and can help keep them in good shape.
Weight Loss
Broccoli’s high fiber content and low calorie count make it the perfect choice for pooches wanting to shed excess pounds. Instead of reaching for biscuits or rawhide chews, treat your pup with this nutritious veggie – they’ll be sure to love its crunchy goodness!
Improved Digestion
Broccoli is an excellent dietary choice for your pup, as its fiber content can keep their digestion running smoothly. Fiber helps get food through the system and encourages healthy bacteria growth in the gut – providing relief to dogs who struggle with digestive issues like constipation or diarrhea.
Cancer Prevention
Studies on rats show that broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which may protect against certain types of cancer. In addition to this, research on humans suggests there’s some evidence suggesting diets rich in cruciferous vegetables reduce risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease too! One thing to be mindful of: more research is needed to see if the same benefits are seen in dogs.
Can Broccoli Be Bad for Dogs?
Like with every type of food, too much can cause pets to feel bad. But that’s not the only case here. Your pup might simply be too sensitive for these green stalks. Here are some common problems dogs may encounter after eating broccoli.
Gas
Does broccoli give dogs gas? Yes. Broccoli contains high levels of sulfur compounds, which can cause gas in dogs. This isn’t harmful per se, but it can be uncomfortable and embarrassing for both you and your dog.
Diarrhea
While most dogs can eat broccoli in moderation, some may experience diarrhea after consuming too much of this vegetable. This can happen because their bodies aren’t used to processing large amounts at once or if they are sensitive to the sulfur compounds found naturally occurring within broccoli itself!
Bloat
Broccoli contains raffinose, a sugar that dogs cannot digest. This can lead to bloating if your dog eats too much broccoli at once. Bloating is an accumulation of gas in the stomach which causes discomfort for both you and your pet and should not be ignored, because there are serious health risks associated with this condition, such as heart failure and even death if left untreated promptly.
How Much Broccoli Is Safe for Dogs?
Can dogs eat broccoli? We have already established that yes, dogs can eat broccoli provided that a few conditions are met. As you might have guessed, there is no one size fits all when it comes to safe-for-dogs broccoli portions. But, depending on the size and age of your dog, you may guess more or less how much. So, how much broccoli can I give my dog?
Size
- Small dogs (up to 20 pounds) can have up to ¼ cup of steamed broccoli per day.
- Medium dogs (21-50 pounds) can have up to ½ cup of steamed broccoli per day.
- Large dogs (51+ pounds) can have up to one cup of steamed broccoli per day.
Age
- Puppies under 12 weeks old should not be given broccoli because they are still developing their digestive system, and it may cause them diarrhea or other health problems.
- Puppies older than 12 weeks can have up to ¼ cup of steamed broccoli per day if they weigh up to 20 pounds; ½ cup for medium-sized dogs between 21-50 pounds; and one cup for large dogs over 51 pounds.
- Adult dogscan safely eat up to two cups of cooked broccoli per day if they weigh up to 20 pounds; four cups for medium-sized dogs between 21-50 pounds; and six cups for large dogs over 51 pounds.
There are, however, some general rules you can be following. It is best to start with a small amount and increase as needed depending on how well they tolerate it. You don’t want them getting diarrhea from eating too much! If your dog loves broccoli, feel free to give them a little more, but always monitor their stomach and stool for any negative reactions.
How to Prepare Broccoli for Dogs
Is it best to feed your dog raw or cooked broccoli? Let’s have a look at a few ways you can prepare broccoli (*spoilers* some ways are better than others):
- Steamed broccoli is by far the best form of broccoli for your dog. Steaming this vegetable first and then mixing it in with their dog food is a good way to make sure that this vegetable will be well digested and harmless for their stomachs.
- Raw broccoli should be avoided because it contains a chemical called sinigrin which can cause gastrointestinal distress when consumed in large quantities, and as well as this, they contain a chemical called isothiocyanate, which can cause your dog’s stomach to become upset.
- Frozen broccoliis another option. This is a great way to make use of any leftover from dinner! Just make sure that it’s been cooked first because most frozen veggies are still raw even though they say steamed on the package.
So, as you can see, as long as you avoid feeding your furry friend raw (or, obviously, spoiled) broccoli, your dog will happily devour the mini green trees on their plate. It might also be a good idea to add some dog friendly seasoning in small quantities, to take your pup’s taste buds for a bit of a dance.
Lucas Taylor is a veterinary assistant, freelance journalist and single dad who lives in the suburbs with his three pups: Ruby, Nala, and Woody. He has one cat named Pepper. When he’s not writing articles or working at the vet clinic, Lucas loves cooking French cuisine for himself and friends at home. One of Lucas’ favorite things to do is paddleboard with his son Noah and their canine companions. Pepper is the homebody of the bunch – she loves chilling on the couch.
