If your dog likes vegetables, why not let him try a few Brussels sprouts? They are safe for dogs to eat in moderation and many dogs love them. Plus, they have lots of antioxidants that help fight damage to a body’s cells from free radicals.
Facts about Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a cruciferous vegetable, similar to broccoli. They are loaded with vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B6, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Vitamin K is especially desirable in the natural form from leafy green vegetables. It helps the blood clot, builds bones, and protects the heart. The manganese, potassium, and folate in the vegetable are also good for your dog. Brussels sprouts also contain antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation. Antioxidants can help protect the cells from the free radicals that are linked to cancer.
Are Brussels Sprouts Good for Your Dog?
Because of all of the nutrients in Brussels sprouts, they are considered to be a healthy vegetable for your dog to eat in moderation. They don’t contain any toxins or other dangerous compounds that pose a risk to dogs. As long as your dog doesn’t have any kind of allergic reaction to Brussels sprouts, you should be able to safely let him eat a few, or at least try one.
There are several different ways to prepare Brussels sprouts for your dog. You can cut them in half and let your dog eat one raw though this is harder for most dogs to digest. You can steam them, boil them, or microwave them for a very short time. Steaming them will preserve more nutrients than cooking them other ways.
When selecting Brussels sprouts in the store, choose sprouts that are green and firm. Make sure you wash them thoroughly and cut off most of the stem. Steaming takes about five minutes. Microwaving in water takes up to eight minutes. Boiling usually takes about 10 minutes. You can also pan fry them in a little olive oil for several minutes.
Do not add seasoning or spices to your dog’s sprouts. No onions, garlic, butter, salt, or pepper.
Are There Any Concerns about Brussels Sprouts?
Brussels sprouts are notorious for producing gas – not just in dogs, but also in humans. That’s why it’s so important to only let your dog have them in moderation. If your dog has never had a Brussels sprout before, you can let him have ½ to one sprout to see if he likes them and can eat them without any problems. If everything goes well, you can let him have one to three sprouts occasionally, depending on the size of the dog.
This flatulence is actually very healthy for your dog since it helps clear everything out of your dog’s bowels and supports colon health. But with some dogs, the odor can clear the room.
If your dog eats too many sprouts and experiences diarrhea, rethink how many and how often he is allowed to have Brussels sprouts. If your dog experiences gas and/or diarrhea that lasts more than a couple of days, see your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Many dogs love Brussels sprouts and they are a very healthy vegetable as long as your dog doesn’t have any kind of allergy to them or other stomach problem that prevents him from eating them. If you have any questions or concerns about giving them to your dog, talk to your veterinarian and make sure it’s okay.
