Fruit and veggies are part of an essential diet for humans. Turns out it’s just as important for dogs, too. They provide vitamins and nutrients that help keep them healthy and strong. One of those all-important foods is broccoli.

Dogs can eat broccoli. It’s perfectly safe to include this veggie as part of their diet. It’s a healthy food and it provides great benefits to our furry friends.

However, too much of a good thing is, well, not good. If you’re introducing your dog to broccoli, pay attention to the size of the pieces and feed it in small amounts. Read on to learn more about adding this veggie to your dog’s diet.

What Are the Health Benefits of Broccoli for Dogs

We all want the best for our dogs. Whether that’s giving them enough exercise or feeding them the best meals. If you’re considering healthier food options for your pup, adding green veggies to their diet is a great start. 

Broccoli has many natural health benefits and is a great addition to your dog's diet. It's is rich in many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium. Fiber can support your pup's digestive tract. 

Thanks to broccoli's natural vitamins and nutrients, it's perfect to add to meals or used as a treat for your pup. Just make sure you’re keeping an eye on how much of this cruciferous vegetable you’re serving them. 

How Much Can They Eat

Just like with humans, large amounts of broccoli can lead to some unpleasant side effects for your dog, due to its high fiber content. This could look like excess gas or an upset stomach, and even diarrhea. 

If you’re wondering how much broccoli to feed your dog, keep the 10% snack rule in mind. Meaning that broccoli should never be more than 10% of your pup’s daily food intake. This is inclusive of when you’re serving it as part of their meal or as a snack or treat.

How To Feed Broccoli To Your Dog

If you plan on giving your dog broccoli directly, there are several ways to prepare it. Preparation varies depending on your dog’s size and weight. Remember, your vet is always a good resource for questions about first-time foods and serving sizes. They will advise you on any potential allergies that could be triggered by introducing new foods.

Can dogs eat raw broccoli? It’s best to avoid feeding your dog raw broccoli. Boiling or steaming broccoli is a great way to soften the hard stem to prevent choking and avoid digestion issues. Broccoli can be a choking hazard so you want to be mindful of the size of the pieces you’re serving. 

Another option when serving broccoli on its own is to puree it. This makes for a nice topper to your dog’s regular meals. You can also blend it with other foods, like yogurt, and serve it as a smoothie. 

Guide to Safely Feeding Broccoli

While broccoli is a great healthy option for your dog, you should wait until after the puppy stage to feed it. This is because puppy's digestive tracts are still developing, and they may not be able to digest this highly fibrous food. 

Do not feed your pup a whole broccoli, especially one that’s raw. This could be a choking hazard for your furry friend, especially if they are of a smaller breed. Can dogs eat broccoli stems? Absolutely -- but first cut off the florets and then chop up the stem into small pieces. 

The florets of this vegetable contain isothiocyanates. This can cause gastric irritation in some dogs, and an excessive amount could even be toxic. If you’re sticking to the 10% rule, you should be okay. Just be sure that broccoli isn't more than 25% of their daily food intake to avoid serious illnesses.  

So is Broccoli Good for Dogs?

If your dog is into veggies, broccoli is a great food to add to their meal or as a snack. Not only does this add variety to their diet, but there are also great health benefits for your dog. Keep serving size and texture in mind to avoid any negative side effects from eating this fibrous veggie, like choking or excessive gas.

Here at Sundays, we love finding the best ingredients to incorporate into our recipes. Broccoli is one of our favorite ingredients in the food because of its high vitamin and nutrient content. Sundays takes into account your dog’s breed, size, age, and activity level to determine the perfect serving size for your dog’s personalized meal plan.