Yes, broccoli is safe for dogs to eat in very small quantities. Make sure your vet knows if you’re regularly feeding your dog broccoli, but otherwise, only serve it as an occasional treat (and cut it up into small pieces).
Benefits & Hazards of Broccoli:
While kids may need to eat their broccoli, dogs… not so much. There are some benefits – such as the fact that broccoli is high in fiber and vitamin C, and makes for a low fat treat – however, the hazards may outweigh the benefits. If you catch your dog scarfing down on broccoli, call your vet. Depending on the size and amount eaten, your pup may need medical attention. Here’s what to look out for:
- Broccoli contains a potentially harmful ingredient called isothiocyanates, which can cause mild-to-potentially-severe gastric irritation in some dogs.
- The AKC states that “broccoli is considered safe for dogs if the total amount ingested is less than 10 percent of their daily intake. Over 25 percent is considered toxic.” Ten percent of a dog’s diet varies widely, especially when you consider a big dog’s diet versus a small dog’s. Furthermore, every dog is unique, so some dogs may simply not tolerate broccoli either due to an allergy or sensitivity.
- Broccoli stalks and florets can cause obstructions in the esophagus (especially in small breed dogs), so you must cut the broccoli into bite-size chunks and monitor your pup as they eat it.
So, while most dogs can eat both cooked and raw broccoli – remember, no salt, garlic, seasonings, etc. – feeding broccoli may not be the best green for your pup. There are many other veggies worth sharing, like green beans or carrots. Find out more in our article, “Can Dogs Eat Vegetables?”
If you’re not sure what to share, Healthy Paws has a great list of foods that are safe and not safe for dogs.
