Ask The Expert: Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?

As a dog owner, you’ll want to share a piece or two with your dog. Before sharing yours, you probably want to know, “can dogs eat broccoli?”. Broccoli-a delicious vegetable that is also a superfood. It is highly nutritious due to the presence of minerals and enough nutrients. 

Many fail to get the answer to this question. The truth is that broccoli is safe for dogs. Also, the tasty treat also contains vitamins that promote overall health. Here is everything you need to know about broccoli for dogs.

Is Broccoli Good for Dogs?

Broccoli has been in existence for a long time. This healthy treat does wonders for dogs as it contains essential nutrients. Such nutrients include lutein, which is responsible for the heart and eyes. What’s more, it has fiber that facilitates smooth digestion and controls weight. So, can dogs eat broccoli?

Broccoli is good for your pup since it is loaded with vitamins that promote overall health. One outstanding aspect of this vegetable is that it’s a great addition to a dog’s meal. Why is it so? Well, dogs are omnivores.

As much as it is essential for their health, adding broccoli to their meal plan is great to balance their diet. While it is good, be ready for some gassy moments since it causes the production of gas. Read our article and find out if dogs can eat oranges.

Terrier Dog Sitting with Broccoli

Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?

Yes. Dogs can eat Broccoli. Broccoli is one of the healthiest veggies to include in your canine friend’s diet. It is highly nutritious in that it contains vitamins and essential minerals. Unfortunately, the vitamin-packed mini-tree should be administered in small amounts because the florets contain isothiocyanates that cause gastric irritation.

Isothiocyanate can also cause bloating, diarrhea and nausea. If you choose to cook broccoli for dogs, don’t season it, as it will alter the digestive tract. Remember to add in small quantities for the betterment of your canine companion.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Broccoli?

Yes, raw broccoli is safe for dogs to eat.  However, there should be no seasoning as it contains extra fats. What you need to do is to feed them in small quantities. This is because raw broccoli contains stems and stalks, which might cause choking.

The stems and stalks also make it hard for dogs to digest. Additionally, raw broccoli contains isothiocyanate in the florets, which can cause stomach upset and can lead to health issues or even death.

Is Broccoli Bad for Dogs?

With all the praises about broccoli, you have to look at the dark side. For this reason, broccoli can be bad for dogs due to the following reasons:

Harmful Bacteria

Broccoli is a versatile vegetable because you can cook, bake, boil, steam, or eat raw. Unfortunately, serving it has some drawbacks. Raw broccoli contains bacteria such as Salmonella, which causes infections in dogs. The symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Lack of appetite
  • Dehydration
  • Lethargy
  • Increased heart rate

If your dog displays these symptoms, stop administration and contact a vet officer for advice.

Harmful Gas

Another bad side of broccoli is gas. You may notice digestive issues after feeding your pup with this veggie. If it becomes too much, seek help from your veterinarian.

Choking Hazard

The last call for concern about broccoli is choking hazard. Broccoli contains stems and stalks that are hard to digest. Even if the dog-friendly vegetable is edible, it can obstruct the esophagus, especially for small dogs who are still learning to swallow and chew.

To prevent choking. Cut broccoli into small sizes. You can steam, boil and cook it to make it easy to swallow. In general, keep an eye on your pup after feeding broccoli to help rule out any arising issues.

The Benefits of Broccoli for Dogs

Now that you know the bad side of broccoli, what’s good about it? Check out these benefits.

Rich in Fiber

The crunchy green vegetable contains enough fiber, which eases the digestion of your dog. However, you have to watch out for the stems and stalks since they can be difficult to digest.

Contains Essential Minerals

Broccoli will help your canine friend to maintain a healthy immune and nervous system since 

it contains minerals such as;

  • Sodium
  • Magnesium
  • Chromium
  • Potassium

Folic Acid

Folic acid is present in dogs’ broccoli and helps in the production of healthy cells. Furthermore, folic acid is also good for pregnant dogs because it helps in the formation and development of the puppy’s body structure.

Vitamin C 

Vitamin c is responsible for boosting the immune system and producing anti-inflammatory properties. Although it is produced naturally in a dog’s body, it reduces as the dog ages. For this reason, broccoli comes in handy; it contains enough vitamin C for your pup. In case it becomes excessive, you don’t panic! It passes through the urine since it is water-soluble.

Vitamin K

The last benefit is the presence of vitamin K. Vitamin K boosts the immune system and provides anti-inflammatory properties. Being produced in the body, it can pass out of the urine if it’s excess.

dog eating broccoli

The Dangers of Dogs and Broccoli

Put aside the benefits of this delicious green treat and ask yourself this question, “Is broccoli bad for dogs?” If so, how? Well, broccoli contains a very poisonous compound called isothiocyanate. This compound can cause severe irritation in the digestive tract. 

Another danger is too many calories. When dogs consume large quantities of broccoli daily, the compound becomes toxic and can result in death.

Broccoli, Dogs and Choking Hazards

Broccoli is healthy food for dogs as it contains minerals, vitamins, and folic acid. These are essential since they help in boosting the immune and the whole body. One important thing to put in mind is that broccoli dogs need to consume in small amounts, as the veggie contains a harmful compound called isothiocyanate.

This compound is present in the florets and can cause gastric irritation. Broccoli also contains stalks and stems, which are nutritious. However, this can be dangerous to your pet since they might be difficult to swallow, thus choking hazard.

This condition is serious with puppies but also can occur in adult dogs. To avoid all this, small feed-in quantities

How to Feed Your Dog Broccoli

Broccoli is a healthy dog treat since it contains minerals and nutrients. While it’s good to feed dogs with these veggies, you need to administer them in the right way. To feed Broccoli, administer small pieces, either raw or cooked.

However, you have to do it as a treat but not a meal. This will help your four-legged friend because too much of it can be poisonous.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Feeding Your Dog Broccoli

Do’s

  • Wash the broccoli before feeding your dog
  • Cut the broccoli into small pieces. 
  • Serve the right amount of quantity according to their weight
  • Monitor your dog after feeding to see if there’s any change

Don’ts

  • Don’t season or cook broccoli with oil
  • Don’t feed a whole piece of broccoli as it could be a choking hazard. Cut into pieces before feeding
  • Do not feed puppies if possible since they need a special diet
  • If your dog appears sick or behaves funny. Call or visit your veterinarian immediately if something goes wrong

Broccoli Feeding Guide for Your Dog

Feeding FrequencyDuration (Weekly)
Dog and Portion Size-Miniature: 3 -12 pounds (5.44 kg)/⅛ cup of florets- cut into small pieces
-Small:12 to 20 pounds (9.07 kg)/½ cup of florets- cut into small bite-sized pieces 
-Medium: 20 to 55 pounds (24.95 kg)/¾ cup- cut florets into bite-sized pieces
-Large: 55 to 100 pounds (45.36 kg)/1 cup of florets
-Giant:100 plus pounds/2 cups of florets
Feeding Tips-Cook, boil, bake, or steam
-Don’t season or add salt
-Before feeding, cut into small bites
-Don’t throw away the stem and stalk; they are safe for feeding

Summary

Broccoli is a nice vegetable to add to your dog’s meal plan. It is only good to add as an occasional treat instead of as part of their everyday diet. This is because it contains a harmful and toxic chemical compound. However, broccoli also contains various health benefits. It is infused with vitamin C, vitamin K and fiber which boosts your dog’s immune system.

The super-treat, however, should be given in the right amount since it all depends on the size of the dog. You also need to ensure that it does not surplus 10% of their daily food. So, if you are looking for a nutritious vegetable for your dog, opt for broccoli!

Leave a Comment