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Summary: Asparagus for dogs – Can our furry friends eat this popular vegetable or should it be one for human plates only? In this blog, we learn whether dogs can eat asparagus, and if so, how it can benefit them…
Asparagus (or asparagus officinalis) is a vegetable packed with essential nutrients like Vitamin K, C, A and antioxidants making it rather popular to include in human meals (even though it can make going to the toilet particularly fragrant a few hours after consumption!). It’s a member of the lily family, and grows in an array of colours like green, purple and white. We eat the stalk part of the plant which is high in fibre and low in calories.
But, can our dogs benefit from this nutritious vegetable too…? Can dogs have asparagus?
Can Dogs Eat Asparagus?
Yes, asparagus stalks (which we eat) are not toxic to dogs. But, preparation is key when it comes to serving asparagus safely to your pooch. However, it’s worth noting that if you come across an asparagus fern that’s sprouted red berries – these are toxic to both your dog and humans. So, that’s why we only purchase and eat the shoots.
Is Asparagus Good For Dogs?
Whenever we cook any vegetable, it reduces in nutritional value. That’s why the healthiest way of cooking a vegetable is always steaming or boiling – the same goes for your dog.
Raw asparagus is very tough to eat and due to it being so high in fibre, it may prove quite an intense job for your dog to digest. So, only give them a very small amount. Cooking it lightly will help, but avoid using butter or cooking oil as this isn’t good for a dog. Instead, prioritise steaming or boiling it.
If your dog does experience vomiting, gas or diarrhoea after consuming asparagus, it may be worth trying an alternative vegetable like chopped up pieces of cucumber which are less demanding of your dog’s digestive system, but just as valuable in nutritional content.
Asparagus can also pose a choking hazard (especially for smaller pups) as it’s rather long, and if uncooked, tough. Whether cooked or raw though, cut the asparagus up into small pieces before feeding to your dog to reduce this risk.
Don’t feed your dog asparagus that’s been cooked with any onion or garlic as these are very toxic for dogs to consume. In addition, canned asparagus is usually seasoned with far too much salt, so would be considered an unhealthy version of this vegetable to feed to your dog.
Will Eating Asparagus Cause My Dog’s Urine To Smell?
Yes, it will, but as long as your dog’s house-trained and only goes to the bathroom outside, you shouldn’t notice this.
Be sure of what foods your dog can and can’t eat by checking out our handy PetLab Co. guide below of known toxic foods to dogs:
Sources
Author Ripley, Katherine “Can Dogs Eat Asparagus?“ American Kennel Club, Apr 05. 2017 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-asparagus/
Author Guthrie, Lynn “Can Dogs Eat Asparagus? Yes, If Prepared Correctly” Prrrs&Wags by Pumpkin, Jul 27. 2017 https://www.pumpkin.care/blog/can-dogs-eat-asparagus/
