Broccoli is a beautiful vegetable that contains many nutrients. It provides several health benefits to humans, but the question is can dogs eat broccoli? Yes, the dogs can eat the broccoli safely. It is not dangerous for the dog to eat broccoli. But it will be best if you keep the amount of broccoli given to the dog in moderation.
What is broccoli?
Broccoli is a vegetable that belongs to Brassica oleracea var. Italica. The broccoli looks like a cute mini tree.
There are basically 3 types of broccoli:
- Sprouting broccoli
- Calabrese broccoli
- Purple cauliflower (in contrary to its name, it is a type of broccoli)
The broccoli can be eaten in both raw and cooked form.
Nutritional value of the broccoli
Broccoli contains many beneficial nutrients that play a central role in maintaining the good health of human beings and dogs. The nutrients present in the broccoli are as follows:
- Protein: 2.6 gram
- Carbs: 6 grams
- Fat: 0.3 grams
- Fibre: 2.4 grams
Vitamins present in broccoli
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin B9 (Folate)
Minerals of the broccoli
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
- Potassium
- Selenium
The benefits of broccoli to the dog
Broccoli is rich in nutrients, so it can provide several health benefits to the dog. The essential benefits provided to the dog are as follows:
Boost Immunity
The immunity of the dog boosts up due to the intake of broccoli. Because broccoli contains a considerable amount of vitamin C, which plays a central role in strengthening immunity.
Digestive health
The digestive health of the dog is essential for the excellent health of the dog. Because the dog’s digestive system will be sound, the digestion of the food will be good, and the nutrients’ absorption will also be good.
The dietary fibres present in the broccoli are perfect for a healthy digestive system, making the dog feel healthy and active.
Improves nervous system
The minerals and vitamins present in broccoli are essential for the improvement of the nervous system.
Slows down the ageing process
The antioxidants are present in broccoli. These antioxidants play a significant role in slowing down the ageing process in the dog.
Which part of the broccoli is safe for the dog to eat?
The broccoli contains two parts: the stalk of the broccoli, and the other is the florets apart. Both parts are considered safe for the dog to eat. But the florets part of the broccoli contains a compound called Isothiocyanates.
This Isothiocyanates can cause upset in the dog’s digestive system, but this will only happen if you give the broccoli to the dog in a large amount. To prevent your dog from this gastrointestinal upset, you should manage the portion of food given to the dog.
Warnings about broccoli to dogs
The broccoli is safe for the dogs to eat but only in a moderately portioned way. You should not offer too much broccoli to the dog as it can cause health problems to the dog. To prevent your dog from broccoli’s harmful effects, you have to be conscious while giving broccoli to the dog.
Clean the broccoli thoroughly
The broccoli can be given to the dog in many ways like steamed, boiled and raw. When you provide the broccoli to the dog in the basic form, you make sure that you have entirely washed it with water. Because the broccoli can contain the Salmonella bacteria, which can make your dog ill. If the dog has eaten the salmonella bacteria along with the broccoli, the dog will become sick and will show the following symptoms of illness:
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Increased heart rate
If you see these symptoms in your dog, you have to take your dog to the vet.
Give broccoli to the dog in moderation
The broccoli florets contain a compound known as Isothiocyanates; this compound can cause stomach issues in the dog. This compound will not cause a problem if the broccoli is given to the dog in a moderate amount. But if you let your dog overeat broccoli, your dog has to suffer from severe health issues.
Blockage hazard
When you give the broccoli to the dog, cut the broccoli into small pieces. Because the larger pieces of the broccoli can cause the blockage of the food pipe of the dog.
What if my dog overeats broccoli?
The broccoli is safe for the dogs to eat, but it can cause some severe problems in the dog when consumed in a large amount. Because the compound present in the florets of the broccoli can cause health issues to the dog. If you come to know that your dog has eaten the broccoli in a large amount. You have to observe the dog, and if you find the following symptoms in your dog, you should immidiately move to the vet to treat the dog.
Symptoms of illness in the dog due to the overeating broccoli
If your dog has eaten the broccoli too much, you can observe the following signs of disease in your dog:
- Nausea
- Gas bloating
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
When you see these symptoms in the dog after eating broccoli, you should immediately rush to the vet’s clinic to properly treat the dog. Because this illness due to overeating broccoli can be as dangerous for the dog as it can cause the dog’s death.
Serving tips of the broccoli to the dog
The broccoli can be given to the dog in many ways. As you can provide broccoli to the dog in raw form, boiled form steamed form.
If you give the broccoli to the dog in raw form, you must thoroughly wash the broccoli to remove all the dust particles and bacteria from the broccoli because it can be harmful to the dog’s health.
You should cut the broccoli into small pieces that your dog can eat quickly without choking.
FAQs
Is cooked broccoli harmful to the dog’s health?
The cooked broccoli is not harmful to the dog. It is perfectly safe for the dog to eat. The only thing you have to do is to maintain the amount of broccoli given to the dog in moderation.
Can broccoli cause digestive upset in dogs?
If the broccoli is given to the dog in moderation, it will be safe for the dogs to eat. But if you give too much broccoli to the dog, your dog can suffer from digestive issues.
Conclusion
Broccoli is a very healthy vegetable, and it can provide several health benefits to the dog. The dogs will enjoy eating the broccoli. You can give the broccoli in many ways to the dog as raw, steamed or boiled from. But you have to keep the amount of broccoli given to the dog in moderation. Because the broccoli, if overeaten, can cause health issues to the dog.
You should consult the vet before giving the broccoli to the dog to know the effects and amount of broccoli safe for your dog.
