If you’ve got a thing for brussels sprouts, you might be thinking about giving your dog a few just to spice up their diet. But, can dogs eat brussels sprouts? Just like any other human food, here’s all you need to know!
Yes, dogs can eat brussels sprouts since they are full of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins that will help supplement your dog’s diet. Brussels sprouts are a great addition to your dog’s nutritional needs. However, even small amounts of brussels sprouts will cause flatulence and even severe cases of diarrhea!
So, while they might be a great addition to a dog’s diet, humans often will end up paying for it in a very…fragrant way.
Are Brussels Sprouts Bad For Dogs?
Not at all! Brussels sprouts are very good for dogs when looking at their nutritional profile (same as with humans, actually). Active ingredients that will help your dog feel better include:
- Antioxidants
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin E
- Vitamins A, C, B1, and B6
- Dietary fiber
- Kaempferol
- Low calories
- Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
Brussels sprouts belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family and is rich in cancer-fighting glucosinolates. Similar to broccoli and cabbage, this vegetable contains certain chemicals that makes it so effective in fighting against cancer.
Brussels sprouts also helps lower insulin resistance, making it effective for diabetics. This is because the fiber and antioxidants in brussels sprouts combat the effects of insulin resistance.
It’s also good for bone health since it aids in the absorption of calcium and prevents tooth decay with its antibacterial properties.
Antioxidants
There are a powerful amount of antioxidants in these little green veggies, which will help reduce any inflammation in your dog. They will also help enhance blood circulation!
Vitamin K
This is a powerhouse as far as vitamins are concerned, It will help keep blood clotting at a standard rate, and it will also help promote strong bones and increase your dog’s heart health too.
Vitamin E
Studies have shown that a deficiency in vitamin E can cause muscle weakness, loss of body movement, and sight issues. Vitamin E is also good for maintaining skin and coat health, as well as immune system function!
Vitamins A, C, B1, And B6
A nice blend of your normal vitamins means that your dog’s entire system and body are going to feel a whole lot better!
This is great in the case that our dog’s regular diet is lacking, too, in those minerals and vitamins.
- Brussels sprouts are a good source of vitamin C, which is fantastic for your dog’s immune system and keeping them healthy. Vitamin C is also known to help with your dog’s cardiovascular health too.
- Vitamin A helps with your dog’s vision and reproductive health, which is perfect for the whole family.
- Vitamin B1 does a fantastic job of preventing mental decline due to old age, and it also helps treat seizures.
- Vitamin B6 is an excellent nutrient for your dog’s cognitive function, which means that their brain will be working better! They can also help regulate appetite and energy levels too.
Vitamins are great! And they’re even better when you can get them all in one food, like brussels sprouts.
Dietary Fiber
This unique fiber will help regulate your dog’s bowel movement. Great for softening it and adding weight to it, it’s easier for dogs to go to the bathroom when they need to!
Kaempferol
Kaempferol is a potent anti-inflammatory. So much so that it can be prescribed to treat even degenerative processes in parts of your dog’s body, such as the intervertebral disc.
Kaempferol also helps to prevent chronic diseases, including cancer.
Low Calories
Since brussels sprouts are low in calories, you can feel confident about adding them to your dog’s diet. These little veggies will help give them the healthiest diet possible without worrying that they’re eating too much and gaining weight.
Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
Many dogs have diabetes, and brussels sprouts can help reduce their blood sugar levels. This is a great way for your dog to live a healthy lifestyle without the added worry that cutting carbs might be harming them.
However, brussels sprouts also come with a bit of a runny side effect….more on that in a bit!
Do Dogs Like Brussels Sprouts?
Most dogs will like brussels sprouts! Dogs tend to love the taste of brussels sprouts, and its texture is fantastic. Your dog will be begging for more!
They’re a healthy treat that you can feel confident in giving your dog something they will enjoy and benefit from.
Can Puppies Eat Brussels Sprouts?
It’s not a good idea to feed your puppy brussels sprouts! This is mainly because a portion for an adult dog will be 1 brussels sprout. So, a puppy would have less, which means that any side effects will be much stronger.
If you want to try feeding your puppy this nutritious veggie, ask your vet first and only give literally 1 leaf at a time!
Do Brussels Sprouts Make Dogs Fart?
Yes. Like, a lot. Even a tiny amount of brussels sprouts can cause your dog’s digestive system to make a serious move around.
This is due to the active ingredients in brussels sprouts, called isothiocyanate. This is a powerful ingredient for strengthening your dog’s intestinal tract’s muscles.
It means that the intestines will push out stool much faster, making your dog’s bowel movements less dense and easier for them to go to the bathroom which means plenty of flatulence and even diarrhea!
Portioning becomes key for any pet parent who wants to avoid gas as much as possible.
Pros And Cons Of Feeding Your Dog Brussels Sprouts
There are serious pros and equally serious cons to consider when it comes to your dog possibly eating brussels sprouts. Here they are for you.
Pros
- They have a great nutritional profile;
- Your dog loves them
- They can be an excellent supplement for their diet.
Cons
- Even small portions cause gas and diarrhea;
- They have to be cooked in a very particular way for dogs.
Regardless of which you deem to be more important, these pros and cons should all be taken seriously!
As well, you’ll want to check with your vet first, as some dogs can have an allergy to brussels sprouts or have a predisposition to a sensitive stomach!
How many Brussel sprouts can a dog eat?
A healthy amount is one brussels per day, but the best would be half a brussels sprout and not more than that! Just make sure it is cooked!
Any more than that can harm your dog in one way or another. They are very potent vegetables and too many brussels sprouts can originate severe cases of flatulence and diarrhea if your dog has a sensitive stomach or is allergic to them.
Eating brussels sprouts can be a great thing for your dog, as long as you work it into their diet sensibly and avoid over-portioning!
Can Dogs Have Cooked Brussels Sprouts?
Brussels sprouts that have been cooked are the best way for dogs to eat them! Specifically, steamed, as that locks in the nutritional profile for dogs (and humans).
When you steam them, though, don’t add any seasonings or sauces. Dogs should only eat plain, cooked brussels sprouts.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Brussels Sprouts Stalks?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat raw brussels sprouts, stalks, leaves, or even brussels sprouts themselves.
Eating any of these raw is going to be too hard on your dog’s stomach and will lead to some serious digestion issues.
Can Dogs Eat Roasted Brussels Sprouts?
Yes, dogs can eat roasted brussels sprouts, but you can’t add any seasonings to it like you would with most other dishes that you prepare.
However, some dogs will have a very sensitive stomach, so even eating plain roasted brussels sprouts might cause some gas.
Can Dogs Eat Brussels Sprout Leaves?
Yes, your dog can eat brussels sprouts leaves, but make sure they aren’t brown or wilted. Only fresh green ones should be fed, cooked.
Make sure you watch the portion, too, as they shouldn’t have more in leaves as they would in actual brussels sprouts!
How to Feed Brussels Sprouts to Dogs
You should only feed your dog cooked brussels sprouts, not raw. This vegetable is one of the healthiest vegetables you can give your dog.
It contains many nutrients, including Vitamin A, C, and K. However, it does contain some sulfur, which may affect your dog’s thyroid gland in large amounts.
When you cook brussels sprouts, it releases isothiocyanate, which helps to protect your dog’s digestive tract.
It’s also what makes them stink so badly! And, that is also why you should never feed your dog more than one brussels sprout a day.
How To Cook And Serve Brussels Sprouts For A Dog
If you’re looking forward to cooking and serving brussels sprouts for your dog, then you are in luck! We’ve got a section all about it, and it will help you find just the right way for your dog to enjoy this delicious veggie.
Cooking Technique
As we’ve mentioned, steaming is the best way to make sure that you cook brussels sprouts, stalks, and leaves fully yet still keep in their nutritional profile.
Alternatively, you can boil them, but they will lose most of their nutrition, so it’s best to steam them!
Portioning
We’ve said this already, too, but it’s essential!
You can’t just give your dog unlimited brussels sprouts. One single brussel sprout at a time is a healthy portion for a dog.
If he gets more than that, he’ll have extreme and smelly flatulence, as well as a struggle with diarrhea.
Instead, try to use it as a supplement! It’s best to give 1 brussels sprout daily, cooked!
If your dog is very young, a senior, or very tiny, you’ll want to halve or even quarter this portion size.
Brussel sprouts are very strong foods for a dog’s digestive tract, so make sure you take this one part very seriously. Otherwise, your dog’s flatulence might just end up with you escaping outside! Less is more!
A Dog-Happy Alternative
If you’re especially worried about portioning and you want to help your dog enjoy them, you can peel off a few leaves of the brussels sprout (cooked) and then garnish it on their food. It’s an easy way to help them enjoy the health benefits with as few side effects as possible!
While very nutritious, Brussel sprouts can cause serious, smelly digestive problems, so feed them carefully to your dog!
Other Brussel Sprouts Serving Ideas
If you want to try something a bit different with brussels sprouts for your dog, feel free to try any one of these ideas!
- Boil the brussels sprouts in chicken broth and garnish your pup’s food with it;
- Steam the brussels sprouts and mash them. Garnish your dog food with the mash;
- Boil and puree your brussels sprouts into a paste. Serve it as a sauce with your pup’s favorite meat;
- Steam and mash your brussels sprouts and add shredded carrots, peas, and chicken. Give it to your dog as a treat;
- Boil and slice up the brussels sprouts. Sprinkle your pup’s food with them;
- Grill brussels sprouts, slice, and sprinkle on top of your dog food.
If you do choose to serve your dog a brussels sprout meal, then make sure that they are fully chopped up or mashed into smaller pieces. If they are whole, then your dog may choke on them.
Conclusion
You can feed your dog brussels sprouts without any hesitation since it is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, but only in small amounts and cooked!
If you’re looking for a healthy supplement to your dog’s diet, this is it!
Brussel sprouts are safe and very nutritious for your dog. Still, they can cause smelly flatulence and diarrhea even in small servings!
These are two things you definitely don’t want to have your dog, so watch the portion size!
A single halved brussels sprout per day should be okay if your dog has no history of stomach problems.
Know someone who wants to feed their dog this delicious veggie? Please share this with them and save them from a smelly night!
