Unlike many other pets, dogs are not usually picky eaters. They may start eating anything you serve them. However, it does not mean that you can feed them any scraps left on your plate. Generally, dogs get curious about various food items, especially when they are on your plate.
Considering proper nutritional requirements, a range of dog food brands offer a balanced blend of vegetables, fruit, and meat. Vets may also recommend feeding your pooch a plant-based diet. When it comes to serving plant-based treats to dogs, many people search for “Can dogs eat cabbage?”.
You are also concerned about whether or not your dog can have cabbage safely. Right? Well, this article covers everything, including whether this vegetable is safe for your dog, health benefits, potential risks, feeding guidelines, the best alternatives, and much more. Let’s get into further details.
Can Dogs Eat Cabbage Safely? A Quick Look!
Yes, your dogs can have cabbage safely. This is a healthy veggie that is rich in Vitamin K & C and fiber. Plus, it is low in calories. This nutritious vegetable supports the immune system of your dog and improves digestion.
One thing you should keep in mind while giving cabbage to your dog is to feed this veggie in small amounts gradually to avoid any sort of issue. Simply put, though cabbage is completely safe for your dog, still feed it in moderation.
Now the question coming to your mind would be “can dogs eat raw cabbage”, or “can dogs eat cooked cabbage.” Right?
Generally, both raw and cooked cabbage are safe for dogs. Therefore, you can give raw cabbage to your dog, but always feed it in moderation and maintain small bite-sized pieces. Continuously feeding the larger quantities of raw cabbage to your pooch can be harder to digest for them and may lead to digestive upset and choking hazards.
Raw cabbage contains thiocyanate, a natural compound. This compound suppresses the thyroid gland. If you give raw cabbage regularly to your puppy in larger amounts, it may create hypothyroidism.
In contrast, cooked cabbage is safer than raw cabbage. When you cook the cabbage, thiocyanate gets deactivated and the risk of hypothyroidism is eliminated. Therefore, feeding your dog cooked cabbage is recommended. It is more beneficial if you feed cooked cabbage and maintain moderate doses. We will talk about the right dosage in detail later in this article.
Another thing coming to your mind could be, “Can dogs eat boiled cabbage?” The answer to this question is a big YES, your dogs can have boiled cabbage in moderation.
Read more: Can Dogs Eat Papaya?
What Benefits Does Cabbage Offer for Dogs?
Now that you have got the answer to the question, “Can dogs have cabbage?” It is time to get into the specifics of how this nutritious veggie can benefit your furry friend.
Though cabbage is incredibly healthy, your puppies may not enjoy all the benefits of it, as they would not eat enough quantities to get the maximum benefits.
Below is a list of the potential benefits cabbage offers to your dogs.
1. Rich in Nutrients
A range of nutrients are found in cabbage, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Calcium, and Potassium. Vitamin A is good for wound healing, blood health, and bone growth, whereas Vitamin K is good for blood clotting. Vitamin C, K, and B6 support your dog’s coat health and skin. Potassium balances blood pressure levels and aids in nerve health.
Cabbage also contains a small amount of magnesium. It supports joints, nerves, healthy muscles, and bones. Moreover, this veggie also has manganese, which is good for a dog’s enzyme activity, cartilage health, and energy production.
2. Fiber
The higher content of fiber helps cabbage maintain regular bowel movements and improve the digestion of dogs. Your dog can enjoy all these benefits if you feed small amounts of cooked cabbage instead of giving them raw cabbage. Therefore, if you want to get rid of your dog’s constipation problem, adding cooked cabbage to the diet is advisable.
3. Antioxidants
According to Dr. Hutchins, antioxidants found in cabbage shield against free radicals and oxidative stress. In addition, they are known for boosting the immune system of your pooch. Furthermore, they prevent cell damage. Simply put, these oxidants improve the overall health of dogs.
4. Manages Weight
Are you worried about your overweight dog? Cabbage can offer a great solution to deal with this situation effectively. The low-calorie content does not increase your dog’s weight. More interestingly, even if your dog is heavy, you can give him cabbage as an effective weight management treat.
Also read: How Are Nectaries Beneficial for Your Dog?
Potential Safety Concerns About Feeding Your Dog Cabbage
Now that you are familiar with the benefits of giving cabbage to your dog, it is time to explore the potential health risks you should be familiar with. A common misconception about giving cabbage to your dog is that this vegetable is inherently harmful and toxic to dogs.
In reality, both raw and cooked cabbage are generally considered safe for dogs, but larger amounts can be toxic or harmful. Below is a list of common concerns. Let’s look at them one by one.
1. Gastrointestinal Discomfort
If you feed larger quantities of cabbage continuously to your dog, the high fiber content may cause general gastrointestinal discomfort, bloating, gas, and flatulence. These problems are more likely to appear if you feed your dog raw cabbage. However, you can’t ignore them while giving cooked cabbage to your dog, too.
2. Choking Hazard & Upset Stomach
Cabbage can be harder to chew for your pooch. Plus, this veggie has high fiber content. These things can cause a choking hazard. It can be more common in dogs who inhale food before eating. You can reduce the risk of choking hazards by cutting the cabbage into small, easily chewable pieces for easy digestion.
Regular consumption of larger quantities of cabbage may lead to diarrhea and upset stomach issues in dogs. These problems may be more likely to happen in case of feeding your pup raw cabbage.
3. Disruption in Thyroid Function
As mentioned earlier, thiocyanate – a natural compound – in cabbage negatively impacts the function of the thyroid in dogs if taken in excess. If your dog has existing thyroid issues, consuming large amounts of cabbage can be more dangerous to dogs. However, you can’t ignore it even for healthy dogs. Other health risks of cabbage among dogs include dry heaving and a swollen belly.
What Cabbage Types Can I Feed My Dog?
Cabbage has over 400 types grown worldwide. You can give any type of cabbage to your dog if it is properly cooked. The local grocery stores will definitely not have all 400 varieties. The most commonly used dog-friendly cabbage types include:
- Purple cabbage (also known as red cabbage)
- Napa cabbage
- Green cabbage
- Bok choy
- Savoy cabbage
- Sweetheart cabbage
It shows that your dogs can eat red, green, Napa, and other types of cabbage without any concern, as long as they are cooked. Giving Napa and green cabbage to your pup is fine. However, red or purple cabbage is more nutritious. The green cabbage contains the highest content of water.
Green vs. Red & Bok Choy vs. Napa Cabbage
All cabbage types are nutritious and healthy. Don’t you have any favorite types? Want to make the best selection out of different types? If so, try bok choy or red cabbage, as it has more nutrients compared to any other type of cabbage.
In addition, red or purple cabbage has ten times more Vitamin A and higher Vitamin C than green cabbage. Bok choy is also a worthy plant-based diet for your dogs. It has higher contents of calcium, folate, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C than napa cabbage.
Is Fermented Cabbage Safe for Your Pup?
Are you thinking of whether or not your dogs can eat fermented cabbage like kimchi and sauerkraut? Well, you can feed your pooch fermented cabbage in moderation. The most prominent benefit of this cabbage type for your dog is that it improves digestion with natural probiotics inside it.
Some stores offer fermented cabbage with higher amounts of sodium; therefore, feeding smaller amounts is advisable. Similarly, avoid giving fermented cabbage to your dogs with added ingredients like seasonings or sugar. Moreover, avoid feeding your dogs (who have yeast infections) fermented food, which is also known as yeast dermatitis or Malassezia dermatitis.
How Can I Prepare Cabbage for My Canine?
You should gently handle the cabbage while preparing it for your dog. The steps you must follow during the preparation process are given below.
- Wash cabbage thoroughly to make it free from potential contaminants, dirt, and pesticides.
- Remove the tough stem and core of the cabbage, as dogs may find them difficult to digest.
- It is time to boil or steam cabbage without adding spices or seasonings.
- Cool down the cabbage and cut into bite-sized, tiny pieces. Small pieces of cabbage will not pose a choking hazard. Plus, your dog will be able to digest them easily.
- Now, mix the plain, cooked bite of cabbage with the dog’s food. Alternatively, you can use the pieces of this veggie as a food topper.
Precautions
Never use additives like seasonings, spices (such as chilli, onion, and garlic), and butter while preparing cabbage for your dog. Spices or seasonings can be toxic to your dogs. Similarly, butter may lead to pancreatitis among dogs.
Avoid adding salt, too, as larger amounts of sodium may cause sodium ion poisoning or dehydration. The addition of vinegar can be okay for some dogs, but not all can tolerate it. It may cause stomach irritation in dogs.
Artificial sweeteners (xylitol) and sugar are also not safe for your dog’s health. They should be avoided at any cost. You should also avoid using oils while preparing cabbage for your pup, as they contain extra fat and offer no nutritional benefit. Plus, oils may cause pancreatitis in your dog.
How Much Cabbage Can My Dog Eat? A Perfect Dosage!
As puppies have sensitive stomachs and different dietary requirements, it is better to give them cabbage once they become adults. If you want to have a customized diet plan for your dog, consult a vet as a priority. Vets can perfectly tell you about how much cabbage or other fruits and vegetables you should add to your dog’s diet.
Avoid giving cabbage leaves to your dogs, as they are so leathery and dense, even if you cook them. They make digestion difficult and can pose a choking hazard. Once you cook the cabbage, cut it into small pieces, and then add a sprinkling to the dog’s food as a yummy topper.
Dosage Guidelines
Different amounts of cabbage are suitable for different dog sizes. According to the vet advisor at ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, DVM, and Dr. Wendy Hauser, the ideal cabbage serving doses are as follows.
- Small dogs: You can give 1-2 tablespoons of chopped cabbage and other vegetables to dogs of smaller sizes.
- Big dogs: If you have larger dogs, you can feed them up to 3 tablespoons of chopped cabbage and other vegetables.
Always start with smaller doses and keep an eye on how it behaves with your pup. Technically, dogs can have raw cabbage, but it is always recommended to give them cooked cabbage. If the cabbage is boiled or lightly steamed, dogs will be able to eat this soft treat easily.
Vets usually recommend that the amount of cabbage you want to feed your dog should be less than 10% of your pooch’s diet.
Ways to Feed Your Dog Cabbage
You can give this veggie to your dog in two different ways, as given below.
- You can give chopped cabbage directly to your pet.
- You can mix small pieces of cabbage with your dog’s diet or food.
Alternate Vegetables You Can Give to Your Furry Friend
Other than cabbage, you can give several vegetables to your pet. Let’s look at some dog-friendly vegetables.
- Beets
- Pumpkin
- Carrots
- Celery
- Swiss Chard
- Radish
- Broccoli
- Green Beans
- Potatoes
Final Words
If you are wondering, “Can dogs eat cabbage safely?” the answer is YES. Cabbage is a nutritious veggie that is high in fiber and low in calories. There are hundreds of cabbage types available across the globe, but you can’t obviously find all of them in local stores. The popular types of cabbage your dog can eat include red/purple cabbage, green cabbage, bok choy, and napa cabbage.
Feeding smaller amounts of any type of raw or cooked cabbage is safe for dogs. Steamed or boiled cabbage becomes easier to digest for your furry friend. While preparing cabbage for your pooch, ensure to wash properly, remove the hard stem, and cut it into tiny pieces for easy digestion.
Remember not to add seasonings, spices, artificial sweeteners, sugar, oil, or other additives while making cabbage for your pup, as they are all unhealthy items. Read the discussion above to know how you can feed your dog cabbage and what the right dosage for this veggie is.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can dogs eat cabbage and carrots?
Yes, you can give both carrots and cabbage to your dog safely. However, ensure to feed smaller amounts, as excess may lead to several issues like gas and bloating.
Can dogs eat corned beef and cabbage?
No, corned beef is not safe for your dog, as it is much higher in salt. However, raw and cooked cabbage is safe in moderation. In contrast, cooked beef is considered safe for dogs.
Can dogs eat cabbage leaves?
Yes, dogs can have cabbage leaves in moderate amounts. They are low in calories (good for weight management), rich in fiber (improves digestion), and contain Vitamin C (boosts the immune system) and Vitamin K (supports bone strength). However, they are so dense even in the cooked form.
Can dogs eat cooked cabbage and potatoes?
Yes, giving small amounts of plain, cooked potatoes and cabbage to your dogs is completely fine. However, raw potatoes may not suit your pooch, as they are toxic due to solanine.
Does cabbage cause diarrhea in dogs?
Smaller doses of cabbage will never cause diarrhea in your dog. However, excessive amounts or overfeeding this veggie may create this problem and upset your pet’s stomach.
