Can Dogs Eat Cabbage Raw?

If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or Insta lately you’ve likely come across the trend where dog parents are using a whole head of raw cabbage as an enrichment toy for their pups. 

At first you may think this is a genius idea, especially if you have an active dog or a dog who likes to chew but tends to inhale bones or is watching their weight. But soon after that initial reaction you may also wonder, but can dogs eat cabbage raw?

So, Can Dogs Eat Cabbage?

“Cabbage is very high in fiber which is good in small amounts,” explains Dr. Tory, “but an entire head of cabbage seems like a stomach ache waiting to happen.” Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable and too much of it can cause gas. 

If your pup tends to experience gas or bloating you may want to forgo this trend and opt for an enrichment toy like a snuffle mat where you can hide a controlled amount of fresh foods like blueberries or try scattered feeding with Sundays and let your dog “hunt” for their meal. 

The Benefits of Cabbage for Dogs

Cabbage is naturally high in fiber, potassium, vitamins, and antioxidants. So a little cabbage in your dog’s diet may help support your dog's immune system and liver detoxification over time. But there are also plenty of other options including healthy probiotics made specifically for dogs. 

However, if you want to share a little cabbage with your pup from time to time it is safe, just be sure to check with your vet before feeding it to dogs that are prone to stomach and digestive issues.