The canine diet is based on animal protein and can be supplemented with some vegetables, so the feed compositions must have much more animal protein than vegetables. Giving feed to dogs is not the only option because, of course, in nature, they do not feed on it, and they can be offered a much more varied diet, as long as we ensure that there is an adequate balance for them.
Broccoli is a good example of common food in our diet that can cause some general doubts about the convenience of giving it to dogs. And it is that broccoli is not a food that your furry little one is going to ask you for instinctively, but it can have many benefits for his health if you give it to him properly. Therefore, it is interesting that you eat it, but not in any way. To find out if dogs can eat broccoli, the most important benefits for the canine body and how to give it to them, we recommend that you continue reading this article.
Can dogs eat broccoli or not?
Dogs CAN eat broccoli like other vegetables, but always respecting their food pyramid and in moderate amounts. Natural food is essential in the canine diet, maintaining a balance between vitamins, minerals and proteins.
Homemade snacks are also included in this diet. Broccoli is a great treat for your furry friend whenever he deserves it, as he can like it and get all the benefits of the vegetable at the same time. Of course, you will have to test whether your furry likes it or not.
However, dogs cannot eat broccoli in any way. Cooking it is the best option and it can also be eaten raw, but you must prepare it well to prevent it from upsetting your stomach.
What are the benefits of broccoli for dogs?
Broccoli is among the varieties of cabbage, thus being a vegetable belonging to the cruciferous family. It provides a huge amount of benefits for the human body; in fact, it is considered one of the most interesting foods at a nutritional and health level. Although the benefits in humans are greater, broccoli also has a great positive impact on canine health:
100 grams of broccoli contains 35 calories and 89.3 grams of water, making it a sensational food to take care of your furry little one’s diet and a good way to stay hydrated and obtain a good source of vitamins, fiber and minerals by eating natural products.
It is a vegetable rich in vitamins. It contains vitamins A, C, E and K, which dogs benefit from. These especially favor the coat, eyesight, teeth and canine nails.
The vitamin K in broccoli contributes to the protection of the heart and the strengthening of the bones of dogs. It also boosts the immune system and helps detoxify your body.
Contains great antioxidant power. The vitamins mentioned the flavonoids and the number of carotenoids make broccoli an important natural source of antioxidants. In the case of dogs, it has a good impact in reducing the probability of suffering from premature cellular oxidation, a key factor that promotes the development of cardiovascular problems or tumors.
Eating broccoli helps fight anemia in dogs due to its iron and folate content. Even so, the intake of this food can never be the only solution to treat the anemia of your furry little one surely. It will not be enough on its own: go to a veterinarian to follow the guidelines indicated.
Improving digestion is another benefit of broccoli in dogs. It contains a large number of minerals and fiber that benefit your digestion. It is important that you eat it inadequate proportions so that it does not cause the opposite effect. If you give the vegetable in small portions, it is a good resource to treat or prevent canine constipation.
Broccoli intake is suitable for diabetic dogs. They can consume it without any problem and will even benefit from the consequences of the disease thanks to its antioxidant properties its impact on the immune and cardiovascular systems (it helps prevent damage to blood vessels).
How to feed my dog broccoli?
It is important to know that, despite the fact that your dog can eat a variety of foods and that they are very present in human nutrition, their digestive system is different from ours. The metabolism that it will have will be different, and, therefore, it will not be able to ingest large amounts of food that we can, as is the case with broccoli.
Some substances that vegetables contain can cause stomach problems in your dog and even poisoning. For this reason, it is advisable to cook it before giving it to it. Remember that the percentage of fruits and vegetables should not exceed 15% of the total canine diet and always with a variety of natural products.
Although cooked broccoli is the best way to give it to your furry little one, you can also give it raw broccoli if you prepare it well: remove the central stem and wash it thoroughly so that it does not cause any stomach problems.
Since you have already discovered all this about broccoli for dogs, you may want to learn more about vegetable options for dogs, but remember that their diet should be based on animal protein, both meat and fish, and you can complement it with vegetables.
