Can dogs or cats eat courgette?

Courgette, an easy-to-eat, difficult-to-spell summer squash with manifold health benefits, is indeed safe for dogs.

Courgette boasts an impressive array of vitamins, including vitamins C, K and B6. It's also bursting with nutritious minerals like potassium and manganese. And it's got plenty of fibre. All of these are essential for canine health!

Courgette also stands out for its low-calorie profile; a single cup is about 20 calories! It's also low in fat and cholesterol. At the same time, the vegetable provides a feeling of fullness. This makes it an ideal food for any canine weight management program.

The vegetable's high fibre content can also be beneficial to dogs with gastrointestinal problems.

Just make sure you're not feeding your pet any seasonings or butter, which can upset their stomach or cause other health issues. (The ingredients in onions and garlic — including in their powdered form — are particularly toxic for dogs.) Also, avoid giving them any raw zucchini, which could lead to upset stomach. But unseasoned steamed or baked courgette, cut into small chewable pieces, should be safe in moderate quantities.

As always, before introducing a new food item into your pet's diet, consult with your veterinarian first. If your dog eats courgette (or any food) and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhoea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. If they require veterinary care related to eating any unsafe foods, dog insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.