Can dogs eat bamboo shoots? You may be asking this because you want to feed your furry friend a new snack, or maybe your pup has already eaten a bamboo shoot and you’re wondering if it’s safe. Humans can eat bamboo shoots, so are they also safe for dogs to eat?
The short answer is yes, bamboo shoots are safe for dogs to eat. They can be interesting treats for your dog and are chock full of vitamins and minerals.
However, as always, you must ask your vet before feeding human food to your doggo, bamboo shoots included. Here’s what you should know about feeding bamboo shoots to your dog.
How Are Bamboo Shoots Good For Dogs?
Bamboo shoots are a fantastic source of vitamins vitamins A and C. Vitamin A is essential to a dog’s health; it’s present in their coat, muscles, and even nerves. Vitamin C promotes immune health.
Bamboo shoots are also full of calcium, which aids in bone and teeth health.
One 2003 study found that bamboo shoots have anti-inflammatory properties that can ease pain in dogs suffering joint pain cause by arthritis. All in all, bamboo shoots are a fantastic, healthy treat option for your pup.
How Can I Safely Give Bamboo Shoots To My Dog?
If you’re planning on giving your dog bamboo shoots, you should most definitely cook them beforehand. Raw bamboo shoots contain a compound that can even cause cyanide poisoning in humans.
Other foods that can cause cyanide poisoning in dogs include plums, elderberries, and chokeberries.
Boiling or roasting bamboo shoots before feeding them to your pup is the way to go. You should also cut them into smaller pieces, so as to diminish the possibility of your dog choking on larger pieces.
As with other foods that have canned options, you should not feed your dog any canned bamboo shoots. Canned foods contain additives like vinegar, oil, and salt that are not friendly to dogs.
Lastly, bamboo shoots should be enjoyed in moderation because too much at one time can upset your pup’s stomach.
It’s important to note that there are many, many types of bamboo. The decorative bamboo that you may have in your yard is not the bamboo that you can feed your pup.
If you plan to give your dog bamboo shoots, you should only get your bamboo from a place that sells bamboo intended for consumption. Decorative bamboo is not edible for dogs or humans.
Have you fed your dog bamboo shoots? Did they like them? Let us know in the comments below!
