Broccoli is a very common healthy food for humans, and most people might wonder if it is also healthy for dogs. The short answer is yes, in moderation and with few caveats; your dog can certainly enjoy some broccoli. Your dog can eat it cooked or raw, but the health benefits are relatively low as your dog shouldn’t eat too much of this cruciferous vegetable.
Join us while we cover the proper amount of broccoli to feed your pet, as well as what benefits your pet will receive and any potential adverse reactions from eating too much.
Can broccoli be harmful to my dog?
Even though it can be safe for your dog when offered in moderation, there are a couple of potential side effects to feeding your dog broccoli. Another important point is that dogs suffering from underlying health issues or taking certain medications may need to stay away from broccoli depending on veterinary recommendations.
Isothiocyanates
Isothiocyanates are naturally occurring molecules that are present in many vegetables. In broccoli, they are present in the florets. If your dog eats too much broccoli, the isothiocyanates can cause gastric irritation in your pet’s digestive system. They may experience an uncomfortable stomach upset with diarrhea, flatulence, bloating and reduced appetite which may require veterinary attention. In milder cases, it may just make them rather unpleasant to share a room with! We recommend starting with small amounts of broccoli and making it only an occasional treat rather than a regular part of their diet, in accordance with the advice from your veterinarian.
Added Ingredients
When we talk about giving broccoli to your pet, we are strictly talking about plain broccoli, raw, boiled, or steamed without any spices, butter, or other seasonings and in accordance with the advice from your vet, based on your dog’s age and health. It’s not recommended to give your dog butter or salt, and many other spices which can upset your pet’s digestive system.
Is broccoli good for my dog?
There may be potential limited health benefits to feeding your dog broccoli, but this will be minor as broccoli should only be offered in moderation as an occasional treat, and cannot replace a complete and balanced diet your dog should be on. Here we’ll list some of the potential benefits.
Fiber
The primary benefit of feeding broccoli to your dog comes in the fiber that it adds to your pet’s diet. Fiber can help with digestive health when offered in moderation. It helps with digestion, regular defecation and may help keep your pet feeling full for longer, making it a low calorie treat.
Low Fat
Broccoli is a very low-fat food and does not contain many calories, so you won’t need to worry about weight gain feeding your dog broccoli in moderation. This is handy to keep in mind if you’re looking for ways to cut back on your dog’s calorie intake while still keeping that bowl looking nice and full.
Vitamin C
Another helpful nutrient that broccoli contains is vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system and aid general health. Unlike humans, dogs can generate their own vitamin C, but a little extra in the diet certainly won’t hurt!
How do I feed my dog broccoli?
You can feed your dog small pieces of broccoli as an occasional treat in moderation, either cooked or raw, but the best way may be in the form of a DIY doggie treat like the one we found at Paw Print Pet Blog. This recipe doesn’t take long and only uses a few healthy ingredients.
However, be mindful that many adult dogs are lactose intolerant or may have food allergies to dairy products, making this recipe inappropriate for them, as they may experience digestive signs from eating yoghurt and cheese. For others, you may consider the following:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets
- 1 cup kefir or plain yogurt
- 1 cup flour
- ¾ cup cubed cheddar cheese
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF
- In a food processor, chop the broccoli and cheddar cheese.
- In a mixing bowl, mix the broccoli and cheddar cheese with the kefir or yogurt and flour.
- Form the dough into small balls and place them on a lightly floured cookie sheet.
- Bake at 350ºF for 20 minutes, or until cookies reach the desired consistency. Larger cookies will take longer.
- Let cool and refrigerate
Final Thoughts
Broccoli is generally fine to feed your dog in small amounts, as long as it is in accordance with the advice from your vet, depending on your dog’s age and health. Broccoli is a good source of fiber and a low fat treat and may help with mild digestive issues and anal gland troubles. We recommend adding the broccoli to a DIY doggy treat or cutting into small bite size pieces. Remember to limit the amount you give and make it an occasional treat rather than a regular part of their diet.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterbug75, Pixabay
Can broccoli be harmful to my dog?
