Fruits and vegetables are great for dogs—well most of them are. Broccoli is packed full of fresh and wholesome goodness, and organic options are easy to come by. So if you love your fur babies like family, there’s a good chance you would be curious about which veggie is right for your pooch! Today we will answer the most commonly asked question, that is, can dogs eat broccoli?

Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?

If you’re looking for healthy bon-a-pet-treats and snack options for your dog, maybe Fifi is packing a little paunch after the winter, you can safely proceed with feeding your dog cooked broccoli. In answer to the quest can dogs eat broccoli, then yes, broccoli is safe to feed your dog.

Is Broccoli Safe for Dogs?

As with any human food, moderation is key, and this holds true for broccoli too. Never feed your dog cruciferous vegetables in raw form though. Broccoli is cruciferous and therefore not easily digestible when raw, which may cause your beloved pet to suffer from an upset stomach.

Broccoli is indeed safe to feed your dog, provided it’s in small quantities, not too often and it is always cooked. As a healthy treat, vegetables are a safe alternative to high calorie, high fat or sugary snacks.

Is Broccoli Healthy or Toxic? Breaking Down the Nutrients

Fur-tunately broccoli is healthy as an addition to their nutritious dog food or as a rare treat, provided you offer a balanced diet. Being a green vegetable, broccoli contains nutrients, is low in fat and packed with essential vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy and strong and boost their immune system.

Dogs Need Their Daily Minerals and Vitamins too!

Broccoli is an excellent source of the following:

  • dietary fiber
  • pantothenic acid
  • vitamin B6
  • vitamin E
  • manganese
  • phosphorus
  • choline
  • vitamin B1
  • vitamin A
  • potassium
  • copper.
  • magnesium
  • omega-3 fatty acids
  • protein
  • zinc
  • calcium
  • iron
  • niacin
  • selenium

A Big No No

Fresh fruits and vegetables are a great substitute for high calorie, high fat doggy treats, but there are certain fruits and vegetables that you should never feed your dog.

It’s not only chocolate that is bad for dogs, grapes and raisins could lead to kidney damage and you should absolutely NOT feed the following fruits and vegetables to your dog:

  • avocado pits
  • onions
  • garlic
  • wild mushrooms
  • rhubarb

Feeding Your Dog Broccoli: Possible Side Effects!

As with feeding your dog any vegetable, the 10% rule should be adhered to: consumption should be less than 10% of their diet.

  1. The greatest side effect to over-feeding dogs cruciferous vegetables like broccoli is the possible onset of gas and bloating. Simply ease up on the frequency and portion sizes if Fido shows signs of flatulence.
  2. Isothiocyanate in broccoli is the cause of upset stomachs in dogs. Keep the portions reasonable and you won’t have to worry about this. In fact, this substance is fatal to dogs when it forms more than a quarter of the dog’s dietary intake. Moderation remains key.
  3.  If you cook the broccoli, chances of it being a choking hazard diminish exponentially but always feed this vegetable in small bite sizes to further minimize the risk of your pooch choking.
  4. Diarrhea can be the result of too much fiber from any vegetable, and broccoli is no exception.

If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms and you feel anxious about his or her health, please consult a vet.

Eat All The Things: Food Dog Can Eat

Can dogs eat broccoli? Yes, but what other fruits and veggies are safe for your dog to eat? Always wash fruits and veg and remove rinds, inedible skins, seeds, and pits before feeding to your dog.

  • Apples are great for older dogs with slower metabolisms.
  • Banana
  • Berries!! Cranberries, strawberries, raspberries have anti-inflammatory properties which aid older dogs
  • Watermelon is almost 92% water which makes it great for keeping your dog hydrated
  • Bell peppers (red, green, yellow)
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery is full of antioxidants and water content and is a doggy breath-freshener
  • Peas
  • Sweet potato

Make Broccoli for Dogs: The Ultimate Broccoli Recipe Your Pet Will Love

Your dog will love these cheesy broccoli biscuits, courtesy of the Doggy Dessert Chef:

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Batch: 4 to 5 dozen

Ingredients:
1 cup of Shredded Cheese (Cheddar, Parmesan, Mozzarella)
½ cup of Butter (Softened)
A 14-ounce bag of frozen Broccoli Florets (thawed/pureed)
½ cup of Milk
2 ½ cup of Whole Wheat Flour
Shot Glass

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line with a baking sheet and paper.
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and stir thoroughly.
Knead the dough into a ball and use a roller to flatten onto a floured surface.
Use the shot glass to carve dog treat cookies.
Place the small rounds onto the sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
Refrigerate after to cool down the dog treats.

Enjoy!

Dog Not Eating Broccoli or Dog Won’t Eat Your Meal? 3 Tips to Help Them Out

  1. Like human children, fur babies may not appreciate the taste of veggie treats. You may find that pureeing or shredding the cooked broccoli and then mixing it into their favorite dog food is a sure fire way to get them to wolf down all this goodness with tail-wagging enthusiasm
  2. Bear in mind that age plays a factor in your dog suddenly becoming a picky eater. Old dogs suffer the loss of teeth and painful mouths as a norm, and it may be advisable to see your vet if he goes off his food and can’t be tempted by sure-thing old favorites
  3. When sauteing, add a little coconut or olive oil to the pan for an extra-tasty and healthy treat

What do Dogs Eat? How to Feed Your Dog Broccoli

Now you have your answer to can dogs eat broccoli, how do you serve it up for Fifi?

Raw

Do not feed your dog raw broccoli as it is hard to digest and has a very high fiber content.

Cooked

Steamed broccoli is the best way to serve this green veg to your dog.

So, Is Broccoli Good for Dogs? Can Dogs Have Broccoli?

Can dogs eat broccoli? For sure they can. Fed in moderation, comprising less than ten percent of their dietary intake, broccoli will leave your fur babies bright-eyed and be rearing to go this summer. Bone-appetite!