Can dogs eat asparagus? You might find yourself wondering this if your dog begs for a bite while you’re preparing some asparagus as part of a meal in the kitchen. If humans can eat asparagus, can dogs safely eat it too?
There is no short yes or no answer as to whether dogs can eat asparagus safely. While this vegetable is not toxic or poisonous to dogs and can confer a bunch of health benefits, you also need to take a few steps to make sure that you prepare and serve it correctly. In some cases, it can also become a choking hazard for dogs.
As always, you must ask your regular vet before sharing any human food with your canine pal, including asparagus. Here’s what you need to know about asparagus and dogs.
When Is Asparagus Okay For Dogs To Eat?
Asparagus is not toxic or poisonous for dogs to eat. If your vet has advised to add more green vegetables to your dog’s diet, asparagus can be a great choice.
This vegetable contains a high amount of the vitamins A and B6, along with the nutrients potassium, thiamin, and folic acid. Asparagus is also a decent source of fiber, which can help with any digestion issues when served in appropriate portions.
If you’ve decided to feed asparagus to your dog, it’s best to cook it first because raw asparagus can sometimes prove to be tough to digest. Boil or steam it using plain water, and avoid adding any extra seasonings or salt while cooking the asparagus.
When feeding asparagus to your dog, only serve the tops and the softer parts of the stalk; the tougher, more fibrous bottom end can be tough to digest and could also become a choking hazard.
Also, make sure that asparagus only makes up under ten percent of your dog’s daily diet.
When Is Asparagus Bad For Dogs?
While asparagus is not poisonous or toxic to dogs, it’s important to stress that raw asparagus can be very hard for most canines to digest. Eating raw asparagus can lead to issues including excess gas, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Finally, be aware that the asparagus fern plant is considered to be toxic for dogs, so make sure you only serve actual asparagus vegetables that you buy from the store or farmer’s market to your dog.
Does your dog love asparagus? How do you make sure you safely serve it to your dog? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
