Broccoli is one of the nutritious vegetables on earth that serves a lot of health benefits to us as humans. But the question here is, can dogs eat broccoli? And if dogs can have broccoli, how much can they eat? Well, if you’ve ever wondered or asked yourself this questions, then kindly hold on and make sure not to feed your dogs broccoli till you’re done reading through this article.
Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?
Yes, dogs can eat broccoli. But too much broccoli in a single serving can have some side effects on your dog’s health. Broccoli is a low-calorie diet packed with detoxifying nutrients, vitamins and lots of fiber. They are low in fat and are loaded with folates making them a healthy snack for your dog.
How to Serve Broccoli To My Dogs?
Broccoli can be served cooked or raw to dogs but before serving your dog broccoli, make sure to wash the broccoli thoroughly. After washing the broccoli, note the following:
- Adjust serving based on dog size since too much can cause stomach upset.
- Cut the broccoli into small chunks or snack size and serve to your dog. This should be about 10% of their daily intake.
- Do not feed your dog the stem since it can choke the dog.
- You can add raw broccoli directly to your dog’s food but make sure to cut it into smaller chunks.
- When cooking, you can steam to soften it. You can also sauté your broccoli with a small amount of olive oil.
- If you’re serving your dog broccoli for the first time, observe the dog and see if there is any change in the stool or behavior of the dog.
What are the Health Benefits of Broccoli to Dogs?
The presence of vitamins, minerals, folates, and fiber makes gives your dog the following benefits:
- Help Dogs Fight Diseases.
- Strong Bones and Healthy Heart
- Immunity Boost and Better Digestion
- Reduces Cholesterol levels in Dogs
What are the Side Effects Of Feeding Your Dog Broccoli?
Though broccoli serves a lot of health benefits to dogs it may have some side effects to your dog. Some of which may include:
- Too much broccoli can be fatal to your dog. This is because of the presence of Isothiocyanate which can lead to stomach upset.
- Too much broccoli can lead to diarrhea. Broccoli has lots of fiber and dogs do not need too much fiber since it could lead to stool changes such as diarrhea.
Broccoli can be very essential yet detrimental to dogs when too much is given. Make sure to serve your dog broccoli occasionally. For larger dogs, three broccolis should be okay and for smaller dogs and puppies, just one and a half should do. Also, slowly introduce broccoli to your dog’s diet if you’re feeding your dog broccoli for the first time and observe your dog for any changes in stool and make sure to seek professional help should there be any changes or reactions.