Most fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog to enjoy. But can dogs eat asparagus? Take a deeper look at the pros and cons of asparagus for dogs before you feed it to your pup. 

Is Asparagus Good for Dogs? 

We all know that vegetables are good for humans. Maybe that’s the reason why many people actively hate eating them. It’s difficult to add a side of asparagus to your steak versus mashed potatoes loaded with gravy. 

Humans have a pretty split opinion on whether or not asparagus tastes good. But the main reason to eat this tall veggie is because it’s loaded with nutrients. In asparagus, you’ll find: 

• Potassium
• Fiber
• Folic acid
• Phosphorous
• Manganese
• Selenium
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E 
• Vitamin B6

With so many natural vitamins and minerals, it’s obvious why humans try to include asparagus in their diets. But is asparagus good for dogs too? Your pup can absolutely benefit from eating this nutrient-rich vegetable – so long as you prep it correctly. 

Asparagus is not toxic to dogs and they can benefit from the veggie’s natural nutrients. The only real “threat” when it comes to asparagus for dogs is how you serve it to them. 

Can Dogs Eat Asparagus Cooked or Raw?

Raw asparagus is incredibly stiff and hard to chew. Plus, asparagus stalks are very long and difficult to eat in one bite. It can pose a potential choking threat to your dog when you feed them asparagus raw. 

Plus, the rigid nature of raw asparagus is tough for dogs to digest and can cause them to have an upset stomach. Along with an upset stomach, your dog may experience gas, diarrhea, or vomiting if they eat raw asparagus. 

We know raw asparagus for dogs isn’t a good idea. But can dogs eat asparagus cooked? Absolutely – in fact, we only suggest feeding cooked asparagus to your pup. 

How to Serve Your Dog Asparagus

There are a few different methods for prepping asparagus for dogs. You can choose to boil, steam, air fry, or grill the asparagus stalks. Whichever method you choose, this will soften the asparagus stalks to be more digestible and delicious for your pup. 

Avoid cooking the asparagus with seasonings, oil, or butter. Dogs don’t need these additional ingredients to enhance the flavor of the asparagus. Plus, seasonings like salt and garlic can be toxic to dogs in high quantities – so it’s best to avoid them altogether. 

When the asparagus is ready to serve, cut it up into smaller bites for your pup. Asparagus stalks are difficult to eat all in one bite. Since your pup doesn’t know how to use a knife and fork, do the work for them and cut up the pieces to avoid choking. 

Because this veggie is so high in natural fiber, you don’t need to feed large amounts of it to your pup. Asparagus for dogs should be fed to them in small quantities to avoid upsetting their digestive system. 

Should I Add Asparagus to My Dog’s Diet? 

While asparagus has many benefits for your dog, it’s not an essential part of their diet. Don’t freak out if you aren’t already feeding asparagus to your dog regularly. Asparagus is hardly ever used as an ingredient in dog food, so it’s not like your pup is missing out. 

Quality dog foods like Sundays include human-grade vegetables in every recipe. This provides your pup with the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy. In each recipe, you’ll find veggies like kale, carrots, broccoli, spinach, and beets. Each vegetable in Sundays individually supports your dog’s overall health in their own way. 

Other Veggies Dogs Can Eat

Different vegetables can provide similar nutrition to your pup without the threat of stomach upset or choking on raw stalk pieces. Asparagus for dogs might not work for picker pups. Some dogs might prefer the taste of other vegetables and that’s okay. 

Carrots, for example, are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These veggies are high in fiber to support digestion and low in calories. Dogs also happen to love the crunchy taste of carrots! 

Your dog may also enjoy snacking on boiled or steamed broccoli. It’s naturally rich in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium to support your pup’s health. Similar to asparagus for dogs, just be sure to cut up broccoli before serving it to your pup. Never serve your dog a raw whole broccoli stem. 

Some varieties of mushrooms are also a safe snacking choice for dogs. Shiitake mushrooms, for example, contain natural fiber, copper, zinc, and B vitamins. These nutrients can help support your dog’s liver function and digestive system.