There are many foods and vegetables we eat every day that are great, healthy snacks for your dog, and broccoli is one of those treats. Raw or cooked, you can feel free to toss a few florets down to your furry friend whenever you’re enjoying your own yummy broccoli delight.
However, it is important to remember to keep broccoli unseasoned when feeding it to your dog, and not give him too much, as it can cause stomach issues. But giving broccoli in moderation can be a fun and healthy treat for your dog.
How to Prepare Broccoli for Your Dog
Broccoli can be a choking hazard, so make sure to cut the broccoli florets up into smaller chunks to make it easier for your dog to eat. Some people prefer to puree broccoli for theirs dogs, but cooked, cut up pieces of broccoli are safe for your dog to eat.
When giving your dog broccoli, don’t oil or season it. Even salt and pepper can upset a dog’s stomach. Both raw and cooked broccoli is okay for a dog to consume in moderation, but as mentioned earlier, broccoli has the potential to upset your dog’s stomach, so it is important to only give him a couple of florets at a time, and watch how he reacts to it.
How Much Is Too Much and Why?
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), broccoli is safe for dogs, as long as it stays under 10% of their daily food intake, as broccoli florets contain isothiocyanates, which can irritate their stomachs. The irritation can be mild, but some dogs, depending on how their body reacts and how much broccoli they ingested, may experience severe irritation. If this happens, reach out to your vet, as this can be toxic to dogs if the total amount of broccoli consumption is more than 25% of their daily intake (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-broccoli/).
Symptoms of an Upset Stomach and What to Do to Help
If your dog has eaten too much broccoli, look for signs that he might be experiencing gastrointestinal pain and issues. This includes not eating or a decreased appetite, a tender abdominal area (won’t let you touch his tummy), whining or crying, pacing and fidgeting, not drinking water, and dehydration. If you start to notice any of these signs, your vet may be able to assist you, determine the severity of the situation, and perhaps offer treatment to help your dog, but most cases should be able to pass on their own if not too severe. Your dog may feel uncomfortable until it passes, but it is important to make sure he gets plenty of fluids until he is back to his normal, happy self.
If your dog has eaten more than 25% of his daily intake’s worth in broccoli, it is important for you to call the vet immediately, as the toxicity can be fatal to your dog. Your vet may be able to help sustain his life through fluids and medication through IVs, however, if the damage is too great, sadly, euthanasia may be recommended. Because of this, it is so very important to monitor your dog’s broccoli intake and air on the side of caution with this tasty treat. Clearly, it’s important to remember to always monitor your dog’s consumption of any food, as even foods that are deemed safe can be harmful, or even fatal, in large doses.
Why Broccoli is a Good Treat
As an occasional, controlled treat, broccoli has many health benefits. It is packed full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making it a delicious and nutritious treat for your dog. Some of the vitamins and minerals found in broccoli include the following:
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin E
• Manganese
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Zinc
• Calcium
• Iron
Your dog, just like you, needs all these important nutrients in their everyday diet, so supplementing a well-balanced commercial dog food with healthy treats can help improve your dog’s health, from his coat to his bone health.
We Care About Your Dog AND You
Here at U.S. Service Animals, we want to make sure your pet stays healthy and happy for as long as possible, because we know how much he means to you. We care about both the animal and owner, and because of this, we do our best to educate and protect ESAs and their owners. That’s why we offer unmatched resources, such as information informing owners of the laws that protect them. When it comes to housing, travel, employment, and privacy, we understand how important your rights as an ESA owner are.
We believe that by knowing more, you’re protected more. So, here’s a recap of some laws we encourage every ESA owner to know:
Fair Housing Act
Are you planning to register your ESA to move into a new living space? Great! We want you to be aware of the Fair Housing Act. Under this act, landlords are required to permit the resident to keep any animal that provides a benefit to persons with disabilities, including emotional and psychological, even if they otherwise restrict animals on the premises. Your task is to only register your ESA and procure a letter confirming its role in your treatment from a licensed medical professional. At, U.S. Service Animal and Support Animal Registry, we are here to help you with every step of the process.