Can Dogs Eat Broccoli (Cooked or Raw)? When it is or isn’t an Emergency

Yes, dogs can eat broccoli with the right preparation. How safe it is for dogs to eat broccoli will depend on a number of factors such as the dog’s dietary intake, the dog’s weight, and the parts of the broccoli that are being consumed.

What makes broccoli bad for dogs?

Dog owners need to be aware of certain health precautions if they plan to feed some broccoli to their dogs. The first precaution is the health risk that certain parts of the broccoli may introduce. For examples, dogs shouldn’t eat a lot of broccoli florets. The floret contains isothiocyanates which, in large amounts, may cause gastric irritations in dogs.

The broccoli stem poses a different risk, especially if a dog was to eat it raw. Some dogs may find it a little difficult to digest the broccoli stem, especially if they swallowed a large piece without giving it a proper chew. The reason for this is due to the broccoli’s dense texture. The risk can be minimized by steaming and chopping up the broccoli stem into tiny edible pieces.

Last but not least, broccoli is part of the cruciferous vegetable family. These vegetables can increase the chances of canine bloat, which is a life-threatening condition for dogs.

Can dogs eat cooked broccoli?

Dogs can enjoy a small amount of raw and cooked broccolis. The former option is safer as long as the broccoli is served plain and cooked using methods like roasting, steaming, or boiling. You shouldn’t let your dog eat pieces of broccoli that have been fried in cooking oil. You can learn about other human foods that are safe to eat by visiting our dog food database.