Can dogs eat asparagus? Let’s find out!
Most dogs love to eat some fruits and veggies as a snack, but keep in mind that a dog’s body is not the same as a human’s is, so some foods that are good and safe for us may not be the same for dogs.
Does this safe food list include asparagus though? It is quite the delicious veggie that is stock full of vitamins and minerals, making it a very healthy food option for humans, but is it safe and healthy for dogs as well?
Can dogs eat asparagus ?
Asparagus is not in any way toxic for your dog, so they can safely consume it, however there are a few things you need to keep in mind before giving your dog any asparagus as a treat.
First off, stalks of asparagus can be pretty tough to chew through. People don’t usually consume raw asparagus because it would be quite the challenge to bite, let alone chew.
Some dogs may also have this difficulty, so to avoid any risk of your dog trying to swallow the asparagus whole and worst case scenario – choking, you should slice it into smaller pieces before giving it to them, even though it is not recommended.
On the other hand, your dog may also have difficulty digesting raw asparagus, simply because it is so tough. If you see your dog experiencing any gas, vomiting, or even diarrhea after ingesting raw asparagus, try cooking it a bit next time before you feed them any.
Cooked asparagus is generally easier to chew through too. However, when you are cooking the asparagus, make sure you are not adding any butter or cooking oil, as both of these can make a dog sick. Just boil or steam the veggie.
It is important to remember that when you cook any vegetable, their nutrient content decreases. And if your dog has trouble digesting raw asparagus, then it is recommended to switch to a vegetable that is easier to digest raw, such as celery, cucumbers, or carrots as it will get many more vitamins and nutrients from those foods.
However, celery and carrots can pose a choking risk, especially for smaller dogs, so make sure that you cut them into bite sized chunks before giving it to them as a treat.
Another important thing to keep in mind before giving your dog any asparagus is that it can possibly make their urine smell unpleasant, more so than usual, this happens to humans as well. This should not pose a problem if your dog is fully housebroken though.
One last thing, a word of caution about asparagus is that its fern, which is the inedible part of the asparagus plant, is toxic for dogs. So, if you are growing some asparagus in your garden, it is recommended that you put up a fence to make sure that your dog does not get into that part and eat the toxic part of the plant. If a dog eats the fern, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even severe abdominal pain.
In conclusion, yes dogs can eat asparagus, but there really is no point in giving them any as it can be difficult for them so chew and digest raw, and when cooked it loses a lot of its nutritional value. So, it really is better that you opt for a softer veggie, like a carrot or celery to give to them.
Additionally, if you have your own garden and you happen to grow asparagus there, be careful and fence it up so that your dog does not eat the asparagus fern.
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