Whether you feed kibble, make your dog’s food, feed raw, or a mixture of any of those, you probably toss a few veggies in the mix. Green beans, carrots, lettuce… but what about broccoli? Can dogs eat broccoli?
It’s a staple in many homes on the human dinner table. So, are those tiny treats of yumminess safe to share with your pup?
Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?
Yes!! Both the florets and the stalks are safe to eat.
In fact, it’s a highly nutritious snack that’s low in fat.
Here are a few of the benefits of broccoli for dogs:
- Fiber: Helps your dog’s digestive system to keep moving along.
- Vitamin K: Improves bone density and provides a host of other benefits. In fact, it contains the highest amount of Vitamin K found in vegetables.
- Vitamin C: Boosts the immune system and provides anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin C is produced naturally in a dog’s body, but that ability decreases as they get older.
- Folic Acid: Helps produce and maintain healthy cells.
Plus, it’s full of beneficial minerals: Broccoli contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and many other minerals that all work together to strengthen your dog’s immune and nervous systems.
But…
Isn’t there always a but?
Broccoli is a great snack for your dog. We won’t move on that statement.
However, it’s important not to go overboard. Adding a little on top of your pup’s dinner a few times a week, or feeding as a treat is fine. Just don’t be feeding bowls full of broccoli every day. This is because broccoli contains something called isothiocyanate.
Isothiocyanates are abundant in many vegetables – not just such as broccoli. You’ll also find it in watercress, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, Japanese radish, and cauliflower. And they’re not bad – research actually suggests that isothiocyanates significantly contributes to the cancer chemopreventive activity of these veggies.
But here’s the ‘but’ – if your dog eats too much broccoli, it can lead to abdominal pain and digestive issues. So, as we said, don’t overdo it. A good guideline is no more than 10% of her daily food intake.
READ THIS NEXT: There are plenty of veggies you can feed to your pup. Here’s a great list.
Can Dogs Eat Broccoli Raw? What About Cooked?
So, if your pup can snack on broccoli, how should you feed it?
- Raw – chop it up small to and sprinkle it on top of your pet’s food, or feed small piece as snacks.
- Cooked – If you decide to cook it, steam it and don’t add any extra seasonings or oils.
Again, opt for 10% of less of your pet’s diet.
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