02/06/2024
Can dogs eat broccoli?
Wondering if dogs can eat broccoli, cooked, raw or otherwise? Well the answer is yes, dogs can enjoy broccoli in small quantities, so it’s good news for your four-legged friend next time they come asking for a tidbit! Broccoli is safe for dogs to eat frozen, raw or cooked, plus it’s packed full of vitamins and minerals. Broccoli should be treated as an occasional snack and the florets, in particular, should only be eaten in small amounts.
We often wonder if we can share fruits and vegetables with our dog. While some can form part of your companion's diet or be used as occasional snacks, others can be toxic, so it’s important to be aware of the different rules for different varieties. Such as those for when dogs can eat carrots or sweetcorn. You should also introduce new foods in small amounts to make sure your dog doesn’t have a bad reaction to it. Read on to learn more about how to feed your dog broccoli safely, how much they can have and the nutritional benefits they can gain from eating broccoli.
Is broccoli good for dogs
Yes, broccoli can be good for your dog if given to them in moderation. While dogs don’t actually need large amounts of fruit and vegetables in their diet like we do, if dogs eat broccoli stalks and florets in small amounts, it can provide them with some health benefits.
The goodness in broccoli includes:
Fibre - helps maintain a healthy digestive system
Vitamin A - helps maintain healthy eyesight
Vitamin K - helps maintain strong, healthy bones
Vitamin C - boosts the immune system and works as an anti-inflammatory
Minerals - magnesium, sodium and chromium potassium help strengthen the immune and nervous systems
Folic Acid - produces and maintains healthy cells
How much broccoli can a dog eat?
Although dogs can eat broccoli, it should make up no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake. If broccoli makes up more than 25% of their diet, it is considered toxic, due to a naturally occurring compound found in the florets called isothiocyanate. Dogs are all different though, so it’s important to test their reaction with a small piece first. It’s also not recommended for puppies until they have matured.
Can broccoli make dogs sick?
Yes, if a dog eats too much broccoli it can make them unwell. In large quantities, the isothiocyanate found in broccoli florets can cause digestive irritation, including gas, stomach upset, diarrhoea and blockages. If your dog is showing any of the above symptoms after eating broccoli, contact your vet. Even though broccoli is generally safe for dogs when fed correctly, you should ask your vet whether your dog should eat it first, as they may have specific needs or nutritional restrictions.
What part of broccoli can dogs eat?
Technically, dogs can eat broccoli stalks and florets, but each should be approached with a level of caution. Florets are the most nutritious part, but should be carefully portioned due to the isothiocyanate in them, while broccoli stalks are fibrous and can be a choking hazard if they are not chopped into small manageable pieces.
Can dogs eat broccoli stems & stalks?
Yes, dogs can eat broccoli stems and stalks. In fact, they contain more healthy fibre than the florets. Just make sure to chop them into small pieces so they don’t pose a choking risk or risk causing an intestinal blockage. Cooking the broccoli can also help to soften it and make it easier to swallow and digest.
How to prepare broccoli for dogs
Dogs can eat broccoli raw, fresh, frozen or cooked, as long as it’s chopped into small enough pieces. The best way to serve it to them is steamed or boiled, as this will soften the texture of the vegetable and make it easier to swallow and digest. While, to us, this may not sound like the tastiest way to serve it, don’t be tempted to add any seasoning, as this isn’t good for your dog and could even be toxic. Below you can find a little more information about how to feed your dog broccoli in its different forms. Mixing things up by serving broccoli to your dog in various ways can help keep this healthy snack exciting for them!
Can dogs eat frozen broccoli?
Yes, dogs can eat frozen broccoli. As always, it’s just important that you chop it up into small pieces for them and you don’t feed them too much, as broccoli can be toxic for dogs in large amounts. Other than that, it’s a great ready-to-go, low calorie treat for your pooch. You’ll likely be surprised at the excitement your dog expresses at a few chunks of frozen mini trees!
Can dogs eat raw broccoli?
Yes, dogs can eat raw broccoli. Broccoli is chewier when it’s raw so it’s even more important than usual to make sure you don’t feed your dog large bits that they could choke on. If you serve broccoli to them raw, it’s also important to clean it thoroughly to make sure you remove lingering bacteria, such as salmonella, which can make your dog poorly.
Should you cook broccoli for dogs?
It’s often asked if dogs can eat cooked broccoli or if they should eat it raw; and although both are fine, cooking broccoli is favoured as it can make it easier for your dog to chew, swallow and digest. Whether it’s frozen broccoli or fresh, dogs can eat cooked broccoli that is steamed, boiled or roasted, as long as you avoid seasonings and oils.
What's the verdict, can dogs eat broccoli after all?
In short, yes. Broccoli is a safe and tasty treat for our canine companions and it can even provide them with health benefits. Dogs can eat broccoli stems and florets - fresh, frozen, raw or cooked. Just remember to start out by feeding them a small amount to make sure it doesn’t cause any tummy issues and only ever let them eat it in moderation. Begin with 1 tsp for a small dog and 1 tbsp for a large dog, and if they don’t have any kind of stomach upset, you can add a small amount more the next time. The 10% rule is one to stick by, making sure it only makes up 10% of their daily calories - with a cup of broccoli generally containing around 30 calories. This is to avoid them getting unwell from ingesting too much of the isothiocyanate that is found in broccoli florets. You can find out more about the foods dogs can't eat in our article on the topic, to avoid giving your dog anything that could make them unwell.
Yes, dogs can eat broccoli as a healthy, nutritious treat in small doses. Find out how broccoli should be prepared and fed safely to your dog.
