Can dogs or cats eat broccoli?

Broccoli is a natural and tasty vegetable, and a much healthier snack alternative to the packaged treats we see in pet shops. You could even consider switching up your pets diet by swapping out pet treats for more natural, healthy alternatives like broccoli.

Cats and dogs can savour broccoli as part of a balanced diet. It's a healthy, natural alternative to store bought snacks and can make a safe and nutritious treat they can enjoy as part of a varied diet.

Can dogs eat broccoli?

Broccoli has many health benefits and is non toxic to dogs, safe to eat if cut into small portions and fed alongside their regular dog food.

Can dogs eat raw broccoli?

Yes, dogs can eat raw broccoli. Chop it up into small pieces before your dog eats it. This is because raw broccoli is harder for your dog to digest, and if eaten in a large piece can be a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage.

Can dogs eat the broccoli stalk?

Yes, dogs can eat the broccoli stalk as long as it's cut into small pieces to reduce the risks of choking. Broccoli stalk isn't as tasty to some dogs as the head of the broccoli, so you may find your dog has a personal preference to what parts of the broccoli they like to eat.

How should I prepare broccoli for dogs?

Broccoli can be fed raw, cooked, steamed, boiled or mashed. The most important thing is to make sure it's fed in bite size pieces and makes up no more than 5% of your dog's diet. When feeding broccoli, feed it plain, with no flavourings or seasonings such as salt, as this can irritate your dog's gastrointestinal tract.

What are the signs of a broccoli allergy?

The chances your dog is allergic to broccoli is exceptionally low. You can test if broccoli is a safe food for your dog by feeding a teaspoon size portion and watching for any side effects.

Signs of a food intolerance or allergy are vomiting, diarrhoea or loose stool, increased stool frequency. Lethargy (low energy) is also a common sign. These symptoms are usually mild, and get better within one to two days.

Are there any benefits of broccoli for dogs?

Yes! Broccoli has many health benefits for people and pets. These include:

• Boosting the immune system

• Helping stool formation

• Packed with vitamins such as vitamin K, A and C

• Reduces cholesterol levels in the body

• Reduces inflammation in the body

How much broccoli can a dog eat?

Treats they should make up no more than 10% of a dog's diet, so factor this in when feeding broccoli as we are sure that they will likely get other treats as well as broccoli.

A small serving of two to three florets one to three times a week should be enough for your dog to get the health benefits without the side effects that come with too much broccoli.

What are the signs of a dog eating too much broccoli?

Broccoli contains a compound called isothiocyanate. If your dog eats a large amount of broccoli, this compound can contribute towards extra gas formation in the intestines when digested. This can lead to intestinal pain, gas build up and other symptoms such as diarrhoea or bloating which can be uncomfortable. These signs usually pass without the need for veterinary help, but always call for advice if you are concerned or worried about your dog.

Are there any toxic components in broccoli?

No, if feeding broccoli plain, there are no toxic components. The number one thing to remember when feeding broccoli to dogs is to cut it up into small pieces to reduce the risks of choking or intestinal blockage.

Can dogs eat frozen broccoli?

Frozen broccoli would be considered a choking hazard. It's best to defrost, cook and chop into small pieces to feed safely to your dog. Cooking also increases the nutritional value, as dogs can absorb the nutrients and vitamins from cooked broccoli more readily than if it was frozen.