Can Dogs Eat Cabbage? Nutrition Facts & Safe Feeding

Leafy greens are an advisable and healthy addition to your dog’s diet. That should shoot down any myths that dogs are strictly carnivorous. Can dogs eat cabbage?Certainly!

Cabbages are not only safe for dogs to eat, but they can also be prepared for them in different ways. They can be chopped up, served with kibble, or baked and combined with other ingredients. Cabbages are categorized as cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli. That means they are low calorie and high in fiber which is excellent for dogs.

Is every type of cabbage edible?

The consensus is as long as it is cooked, it should be possible for dogs to eat any cabbage type. These include red cabbage, savoy, or bok choy, which are popular options fed to dogs. Dogs may also eat green cabbage or napa, though the red kind offers the most nutritious additives.

It creates the question can dogs eat cabbage type snacks, and the answer is yes. Before feeding your dog any vegetables, please check with your veterinarian on the ones to supplement the diet. When it comes to fruits, for example, apple slices, blueberries, pear slices, melons, and strawberries are all acceptable options to give to our dog.

What parts of cabbages can dogs eat?

Now that all cabbages have been given the green light and have been proven to help boost dogs’ immune system, the next question is which parts are okay to feed. Cabbage leaves are the most obvious and accepted part as supplements for a healthy diet.

The stalks are also an option though they can be a choking hazard for the smaller breeds [1]. Stems are also the least endorsed part of the vegetable. They may be edible but have a lot of fiber, leading to an upset stomach.

Benefits of cabbages for dogs

Cabbages come with several benefits, including vitamin C, K, B6, and B1. They also have several healthy fibers and minerals such as copper, potassium, fiber, and manganese. These vitamins are significant to your dog’s health as they prop the energy levels and strengthen the bone density.

Cabbages also contain antioxidants that could improve your pet’s immune system, reduce cell degradation and the chance of heart disease. Not surprisingly, dog cabbage is a high-fiber food like other leafy vegetables, and that is an excellent addition to the dog’s diet because of its benefits to the digestive system.

That’s not all as well because certain cabbages have been known to suppress cancer. Red cabbage especially is believed to have several cancer-fighting attributes. It is a great plus as half of all dogs will develop cancer during their later years.

Risks of cabbage for dogs

Cabbages are great for dogs’ health, but they are also advisable in small amounts. One significant danger of giving your dog too much cabbage is it can lead to hypothyroidism in dogs. In these cases, though, it would have to eat a lot of raw cabbage over several days for this to happen.

It is because cabbage has thiocyanate, which is a natural compound that affects the thyroid gland. Cooking the cabbage by steaming or boiling it before giving it to your dog can remove the thiocyanate and reduce that risk.

Ironically, constipation is also a potential problem from overeating raw cabbage. The dietary fiber may be great for your dog’s digestive system, but the cabbage leads to constipation at excess levels. It results from the blocking of the dog’s digestive tract, which proceeds into gastrointestinal problems.

The symptoms of these adverse effects can present as flatulence, watery stool, or stomach upsets. It is advisable to cut the dog cabbage into small pieces and give your pet small quantities each time. It is a good rule of thumb not to allow the fruit or vegetables to exceed ten percent of the daily dog food intake. Remember to only give the best dog food for puppies as they have a more sensitive stomach.

Cabbage should also be cooked as it will be easier for your dog to chew and digest. Be sure to avoid any seasonings or other additions you would typically add to your meals because these may not be dog friendly.

How to safely feed cabbage to your dog

One way is introducing the vegetable to your dog when they are in their adult stage. Puppies apparently have different dietary requirements as they grow. They can only advance to dog food when they reach the full height and weight of the breed.

When they get to this level, you can draw up a feeding plan with the vet to assess the right amount of vegetable additions to the diet. Even if it is cooked, it is still best to check with the veterinarian first to make sure they are both aware and comfortable introducing cooked and diced cabbage into the dog’s regimen.

FAQs

Can dogs eat cabbage cooked or raw?

Dogs can eat both cooked and raw cabbage. However, raw cabbage contains thiocyanate, a natural compound in plants. Though your dog filters out the thiocyanate through the urine, high levels can lead to hypothyroidism. Cooked cabbage has lower thiocyanate levels, so it would be advisable to prepare it this way.

Can dogs eat cabbage every day?

Eating cabbage in high amounts is detrimental to dogs, so pet owners should serve it once in a while. Smaller dogs do not need as much cabbage as larger dogs as well.

What happens when I feed my dog too much cabbage?

It can cause them to have an upset stomach and symptoms ranging from excess gas to gastrointestinal problems. Even though cabbage is healthy for dogs, they should be fed occasionally.

Is it okay to feed my dog any type of cabbage?

Dogs can eat cabbage in any color or type but in moderation. These include red, green, napa, and bok choy. It is also a good idea to cook and cut the cabbage because it would be easier for the dog to chew and digest.