Can dogs eat broccoli and is it safe?

When about to share vegetables from their plate with the dog, the owner may wonder if this vegetable is good for the pet?

In short, yes! Broccoli is a safe and delicious treat for your four-legged friends and may even offer some health benefits. But there are a few things to consider when feeding your dog this vegetable.

Is broccoli good for dogs?

People call broccoli a superfood because of its high nutritional value. This vegetable can also be useful for dogs in many ways.

It is rich in fiber, which aids digestion and weight control, and vitamins including A, B, C, D, E, and K, which help improve overall well-being. Broccoli also contains lutein, a nutrient for eye and heart health, and other antioxidants that help fight inflammation.

Since dogs are omnivores, vegetables like broccoli can be a healthy addition to their diet. However, cruciferous vegetables are believed to cause increased gas production, so your four-legged friend may collect gases.

Reasons for concern

A side effect of eating broccoli is gas, which can be cause for concern. Increased gas production may indicate that the dog has digestive problems. Therefore, if after the pet ate broccoli for the first time, the smell in the apartment became completely unbearable, it is better to call the veterinarian to rule out more serious problems.

In addition, when giving broccoli to your dog, there are three other issues to keep in mind:

1. Portion size control

The expression “everything is good in moderation” applies to broccoli as well. According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, while broccoli can be eaten by four-legged friends, eating excessive amounts of this vegetable can cause gastrointestinal upset in your pet. Association experts explain that in order to avoid health complications, this vegetable should not make up more than 10% of a dog’s daily diet. 

Broccoli contains isothiocyanate, a natural chemical compound. Together with fiber and complex sugars, it can cause mild to severe digestive disturbances, including gas, indigestion, diarrhea, and congestion.

In addition, you need to monitor your dog’s vitamin C intake. “If a person needs to get vitamin C from their diet, cats and dogs are able to produce it on their own,” explains the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

2. Choking hazard

Broccoli stalks are edible, but they pose a high risk of choking to pets. According to the American Kennel Club, broccoli stalks can “cause esophageal obstruction, especially in small dogs.”

To prevent choking, cut the broccoli into small pieces before giving it to your four-legged friend. Also, don’t leave your dog until he’s finished eating so you don’t miss any signs of problems.

3. Bad bacteria

Broccoli is versatile: it can be served steamed, boiled, baked or raw. However, if a dog is fed raw broccoli, it should be thoroughly washed due to the increased risk of bacteria such as salmonella entering the pet’s digestive system. 

“While dogs and cats are generally more resistant to these bacteria [than humans], they are not completely immune to them and can become seriously ill,” says the American Association of Feed Control Officials.

Symptoms of a salmonella infection in dogs include the following:

• vomiting;
• increased body temperature;
• dehydration;
• loss of appetite;
• increased heart rate;
• lethargy.

If your dog shows any of these symptoms after eating broccoli, you should contact your veterinarian immediately to learn about treatment options.

Can you give your dog broccoli? Of course, but in moderation. This vegetable should be considered as a nutritious snack, but not as a main course. You can give broccoli to your dog along with a balanced dog food that is formulated to meet your dog’s specific nutritional needs.