Broccoli is a vegetable which contains antioxidants, fibers, vitamins and minerals. And yes, dogs can eat broccoli also. Your dog snuck a piece of broccoli behind your back which shows that it is curious and enjoys the taste of broccoli. Whether a pet owner is looking for a healthy snack for his loving dog, he should be confident that this green vegetable is harmless and safe for dogs to eat.
However, you should be aware of a few exceptions. Here’s what precautions you should be familiar with before you plan to feed broccoli to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Broccoli? Loyal, Affectionate, Playful & Protective.
Danielle Rutherford is an Associate Veterinarian at Westside Veterinary Center and she has suggested that broccoli is a great healthy snack for dogs. Pet owners can feed broccoli to their dogs in raw or cooked form. It can be added as a healthy addition to meals and is considered a low calorie topper. Your dog may feel more full by eating broccoli. The recommended quantity of broccoli for dogs for good health is around 10 to 20 grams per serving. In other ways, you can serve 1 to 2 small pieces of florets to your dogs. If your dog has eaten an excessive amount of broccoli, then its digestive system becomes irritated and disturbed. The upset stomach leads to the symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain in your dog.
Broccoli contains a compound which is known as isothiocyanates which is naturally found in some vegetables. Certain vegetables that contain isothiocyanates are Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower that causes digestive irritation when consumed in larger amounts..
Possible Risks of Broccoli for Dogs
Air and other gasses can build in the digestive system of your dog when it ingest larger portions of broccoli. Your dog feels uncomfortable when its stomach becomes swollen and distended due to overeating of broccoli. In this way, broccoli contains a high volume of fibers which becomes the cause of gas and bloating in dogs. It is best suggested that you should feed your dog with a very small amount of broccoli and watch how your pooch handles it. Your dog finds it harder to digest the stems of broccoli as compared to the florets. The hard stems may block the airways of the dog’s throat and make it hard for it to breathe properly. Therefore it is advisable to the pet owners to separate the broccoli from its stems.
We humans serve broccoli as salads along with foods and add salt and other seasonings. But for dogs, salts and other seasonings are harmful. You must only feed broccoli to the dogs that contain no added seasonings and flavoring.
When Dogs Shouldn’t Eat Broccoli
Broccoli also contains glucosinolates, which are compounds that can inhibit thyroid function. Many dogs suffer from a thyroid condition which causes weight gain, tiredness and feeling of cold in them. Lets first discuss what is a thyroid condition in dogs. The thyroid is a small gland located in the dog’s neck that controls how its body uses energy. Usually, the thyroid is an important gland that controls metabolism, energy levels and temperature. However, when a dog experiences thyroid problems, then it feels tired and irregular heartbeats occur.
When a dog is suffering from thyroid problems then pet owners must not serve foods that are high in goitrogens. Especially broccoli and cabbage contain goitrogens that interfere with the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones. If your dog has a thyroid condition, ask your vet if it’s safe to feed it broccoli.
Here are five common types of prescription diets for dogs:
- Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d (for digestive health)
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO (for urinary tract health)
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN (for gastrointestinal health)
- Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d (for kidney health)
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hypoallergenic (for food allergies or sensitivities)
Note: In case you are giving any of the above mentioned diet to your dog, then you must consult your vet before offering broccoli to your canine friend.
Can Puppies Have Broccoli?
The digestive system of a puppy is underdeveloped at the age of 6 to 8 weeks. At this age, its digestive system is not yet mature enough to handle solid foods. After 8 weeks, the digestive system of puppies starts to develop enough to absorb proteins from solid foods. However, they may still be sensitive to vegetables like broccoli until they become 4 to 6 months older. Therefore it is prohibited to give broccoli to the puppies.
Conclusion:
Can dogs eat broccoli? Yes, they can, but with caution. While broccoli is a nutritious snack which is packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However it should only be given in moderation to avoid digestive issues and bloating. You must feed small and manageable portions of broccoli florets without seasoning and that is best for your dog. However, it’s important for pet owners to avoid feeding broccoli to their dogs with thyroid conditions due to the presence of goitrogens, which can affect thyroid function. It is a good option to always consult with your veterinarian before you introduce new foods into your dog’s diet, especially if your dog has specific health concerns.
