Is your dog watching you as you prepare something to eat with a face that says, “Give me some”? Then you wonder if your dog can eat it. Dogs do not require vegetables in their diet, although mixed with key dog food, vegetables can provide a good nutritional part of the diet. It is good to know what things are safe for our fur friends. Certain plants have toxic components, causing animals to get affected by food poisoning. So, how about broccoli? Can dogs eat broccoli?
Is Broccoli Safe For Dogs?
Broccoli is a dark green and delicious veggie. There is a reason we often incorporate broccoli in our cooking; it is a common recipe ingredient. Besides this, broccoli has many health benefits and fewer calories. Broccoli is mostly water and has a bit more protein than most other vegetables while having a low carbohydrate content. Hence, broccoli is worth consuming. The unusual properties of these vegetables, though, can they also be good for dogs? Can dogs eat broccoli? It’s time to find out.
Experts say dogs can eat broccoli. And that is a pleasant surprise since it is very healthy vegetable. Broccoli is a good little snack for dogs. In small amounts, the vegetable should not be harmful to your pet. Broccoli can be given to dogs, either raw or steamed, with the latter being gentler on the stomach.
On the other hand, some specialists claim that prepared vegetables are safer for pets. Pets can digest them more easily, and they do not cause stomach issues. Only tend to cool the broccoli before you give it to your dog. Just remember that if you are adding any new elements to your dog’s diet, go gradually. Use caution if your dog has never had broccoli before. Just like us, dogs can be hypersensitive or allergic to certain types of food. You should start with your canine with the smallest amount of broccoli possible for health issues.
Broccoli Benefits
There are no toxic substances in broccoli for dogs. So, dogs can eat broccoli. It can be a beneficial supplemental food for your furry friend, offering up some essential vitamins and minerals. It is also a low-calorie green veggie with very little starch. Broccoli is also high in fiber. Fiber is vital to a dog’s diet to keep the digestive system functioning well. This ingredient, in sufficient quantity, prevents constipation and other issues.
One more beneficial property of broccoli is its cancer protection. Research in dogs indicates that ingredients from broccoli exhibit an anticancer effect. Sulforaphane is a naturally occurring compound shown to be a key bioactive in anticancer activities and an effective inhibitor of tumor formation. Research indicates that this broccoli supplement has helped prevent or slow down cancer growth in dogs. So, feeding your pet vegetables like broccoli is worthwhile for its health.
Broccoli Risks
Dogs can eat broccoli, but examining some points before giving this vegetable to your pet is good. Dosage is another pretty important factor here. Dogs can eat vegetables every day, but they should be part of their overall diet. Plants provide high fiber, which could cause diarrhea. That is why you should feed your dog vegetables in small quantities.
Food allergies are another serious issue. Plants, including broccoli, can cause allergies in dogs. Consider a visit to your vet to do allergy tests. However, if you have not gone through this process and are giving your dog a vegetable for the first time, be careful. Only offer your pet a small piece of broccoli, and pay close attention to your dog. Call your vet if your dog eats the new vegetable and you see any concerning symptoms.
Summary – Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?
Dogs can enjoy a little snack of vegetables. The good news is that our furry friends can indeed eat broccoli, animal experts assert. This vegetable should be safe for the animal in small amounts. Cooking broccoli before serving it to dogs is preferred as it is easier on the animal’s stomach.
Source
- Kaitlin M. Curran, Shay Bracha, Carmen P. Wong, Laura M. Beaver, Jan F. Stevens, Emily Ho (2018). Sulforaphane absorption and histone deacetylase activity following single dosing of broccoli sprout supplement in normal dogs.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6236138/
