Vegetables can't usually grow in the snow, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy some during winter. While these year-round veggies are healthy for us, humans, they aren't all good for our canine companions. Here's a list of some year-round vegetables and whether your dog can eat them.
1. Broccoli
Yes! In moderation.
Dogs can eat broccoli (raw, boiled or steamed, and unseasoned) in moderation and cut up in small pieces. They are high in fiber and vitamins, yet low in fat. However, the florets contain something called "isothiocyanates," which can cause gastric irritation in dogs. Because of this, it's best to feed broccoli to your dog in moderation. In addition, the stalks can be a choking hazard or cause obstruction in the esophagus or stomach. Hence why broccoli should be cut up into small pieces before feeding to your dog.
2. Cabbage
Yes! In moderation.
Cabbage is safe for dogs. It has fiber and vitamins that support their digestive and immune systems, skin and may fight cancer. But it should be fed in moderation, as too much can cause gas or suppress the thyroid gland. In addition, it's best to feed your dog cooked cabbage (boiled or steamed and unseasoned), as it can be difficult to digest when raw.
3. Celery
Yes!
Celery is safe for dogs to eat and can even be useful as a diet supplement to help overweight pups get to a healthy weight. It's low in fat and cholesterol, but high in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Celery may also improve your dog's bad breath. But this crunchy veggie can be a choking hazard, especially for smaller breeds, so make sure to cut it into bite-sized pieces before feeding.
4. Garlic
No.
Garlic is toxic to dogs. It contains thiosulfate, which damages your dog's red blood cells and causes hemolytic anemia. Symptoms include lethargy, rapid breathing or panting, pale gums, weakness, jaundice, and dark colored urine. Garlic can also cause gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration, loss of appetite and depression.
Pro Tip: Dogs typically need to eat quite a bit of garlic for harmful damage of blood cells to occur. That being said, it's best to call a vet as soon as possible if your dog ingests any garlic and go to a vet immediately if large amounts were ingested. Your dog may need intravenous fluids to treat dehydration, medicine to control vomiting or blood transfusions in severe cases.
5. Ginger
Yes! In moderation.
Ginger is safe for dogs to eat in small amounts. It has several antioxidants that can support your dog's blood circulation and can relieve motion sickness or nausea, gastrointestinal problems and bloat. Ginger is also an anti-inflammatory, which can be helpful for canines with arthritis, such as senior dogs. It's recommended that you only give your dog up to one teaspoon of raw ginger, as anything more can cause gas, nausea or heartburn.
6. Kale
No.
Kale contains multiple natural ingredients that can cause problems for dogs. In particular, this dark leafy veggie has calcium oxalate and isothiocyanates. The former can cause kidney and bladder stones, while the later can cause gastric irritation. Kale can also interfere with thyroid function if regularly fed to your dog.
Pro Tip: If your dog has ingested kale, monitor him or her closely for signs of gastrointestinal upset or kidney and bladder stones. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty urinating or a change in urination habits. If you see any of these, contact a vet as soon as possible.
7. Mushrooms
Maybe. It depends on the mushroom.
Store-bought mushrooms sold in groceries are generally safe for dogs to eat, while wild mushrooms are not. Store-bought ones contain several nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber and antioxidants. However, mushrooms are usually cooked in fat and seasoning, which are not good for dogs to eat and should not be given to them.
Wild mushrooms, however, are toxic to dogs. The symptoms of wild mushroom poisoning vary greatly and depend on the type of mushroom ingested. They include gastrointestinal upset, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, stumbling or unsteady walking, excessive salivation, watery eyes, increased urination, sedation, tremors, seizures, coma, jaundice, liver failure, kidney damage and death.
Pro Tip: If your dog ingests a wild mushroom, immediately contact your vet, an animal poison control center, or an emergency veterinary hospital. Try to get a sample of the mushroom (preferably wrapped in a damp paper towel, stored in a paper bag) to help the vet determine the best course of treatment.
8. Onions
No.
Onions are in the same family as garlic and thus contain thiosulfate, which is toxic to dogs. It causes damage to the red blood cells, resulting in hemolytic anemia. Symptoms include lethargy, rapid breathing or panting, pale gums, weakness, jaundice, and dark colored urine. All parts of the onion are toxic to dogs, including the flesh, leaves, juice and processed powders.
Pro Tip: If your dog ingests onion, it's best to call or go to a vet immediately as onion toxicity can be fatal. Your dog may need intravenous fluids to treat dehydration, medicine to control vomiting or blood transfusions in severe cases.
9. Radishes
Yes! Store-bought and in moderation.
Store-bought radishes are safe for dogs to eat in moderation. They are low in calories but high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that support the health of your dog's muscles, digestion and immune system. Radishes can also supplement your dog's dental care, as the rough texture can remove plaque. But avoid feeding your dog too many radishes, as well as the greens or leaves, all of which can result in gastrointestinal upset.
Pro Tip: Wild radishes and their flowers are toxic to dogs, so don't let your dog eat any while walking, hiking or generally out and about. If your dog does ingest a wild radish or its flowers, immediately contact a vet.
10. Rutabagas
Yes! In moderation.
Rutabagas are safe for dogs to eat. This root veggie is full of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that support your pup's digestive and immune systems. Rutabagas have also been shown to fight cancer. Just make sure to feed them in moderation, as large quantities can cause gastrointestinal upset (such as diarrhea). It's recommended that rutabaga be boiled or steamed, unseasoned and cut into bite-size pieces before feeding to your dog.