Can dog's eat... Asparagus?

The answer is yes, dogs can eat asparagus, however there are a number of things to consider before giving asparagus to your dog. Our vet takes you through the safe ways to feed asparagus as well as the health benefits it brings to your dog.

#Health benefits of asparagus

We know asparagus is a nutritious vegetable for people to eat, and asparagus is a good vegetable for dogs. This is because dogs also benefit from the nutrients present in asparagus just like we do.

Here are some of the nutrients contained in asparagus and how they benefit your dog:

• Vitamin K, an essential vitamin for dogs that plays an important role in blood clotting, bone metabolism, and cardiovascular health.
• Vitamin A, essential for your dogs' vision, skin, immune function and reproductive health.
• Vitamin E for dogs, which helps with immune support in dogs and overall well being.
• Dietary fibre, important for a dog's digestive health. Fibre helps with bowel regularity, gut bacteria balance, and blood sugar regulation. Learn about the benefits of fibre for dogs.
• Potassium,  which is great for the healthy function of  vital organs in dogs, including the heart and kidney.
• Folic acid, an important aspect in red blood cell production and cell division. If your dog is in their senior years (7+) or suffers health issues, maintaining a healthy blood system is very important for their wellbeing.

As you can see there are a lot of excellent nutrients in asparagus for your dog. However, as asparagus is a hard and abrasive vegetable we have to be careful how asparagus is prepared to enjoy it safely without risks of injury or stomach upset.

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#Can I feed my dog raw asparagus?

Yes, you can feed your dog raw asparagus. It is non-toxic to do so, however it is not recommended. Raw asparagus has a hard fibrous texture which makes it difficult for dogs to chew and digest. Being hard and stick-like, raw asparagus can easily become a choking hazard for dogs or cause intestinal blockage if eaten whole or in large amounts.

##Can dogs eat cooked asparagus?

Yes, it is recommended to feed asparagus cooked to your dog instead of feeding it raw as it is much easier to chew, swallow and digest.

Make sure when giving cooked asparagus to your dog it is free from salt, butter and garlic. As these additives can be harmful or in garlic's case be toxic for your dog.

#How to safely prepare asparagus for your dog

When you are considering feeding asparagus for your dog, it's recommended that you follow these tips:

• Cut-off and discard the fibrous woody ends of the asparagus. This part of the asparagus  is tough to swallow and difficult to digest. As dogs don't like to chew the woody ends, it can get swallowed whole, which is difficult for your dog's gastrointestinal system to digest and absorb all the powerful health properties we feed it for.
• Chop the asparagus into small bite size pieces. This will decrease  the risk of choking and gastrointestinal obstruction.
• Boil the asparagus, plain (no condiments or sauces) and use unsalted water. Make sure the asparagus is cooled before feeding to your dog to avoid any burns or irritation to sensitive oral tissues. 

If you're wanting a unique way to feed asparagus, your dog may enjoy an asparagus smoothie! Try blending asparagus into a smoothie with other dog safe fruits such as apples, bananas, pears and blueberries. These can be served as a refreshing treat for a hot day, or frozen and placed in Kong’s or puzzle toys.

##Can my dog eat all varieties of asparagus?

Yes, your dog can eat all varieties of asparagus. This includes, white and purple asparagus. White asparagus is grown without sunlight (blanching) to keep it white. It is milder in taste to green asparagus and safe for your dog to eat. Purple asparagus is known for being sweeter, having more tender stalks than green asparagus. It is safe for your dog to eat and your dog may even enjoy it more than green asparagus, due to having more tender talks. Remember whatever colour of asparagus you feed, you must chop it into small bite size portions.

#How much asparagus can I feed my dog?

Like all treats and snacks, asparagus should be consumed in moderation alongside a healthy balanced diet. The total amount of calories consumed from treats should not exceed more than 10% of the recommended daily calorie amount for your dog, so choose treats wisely and opt for healthy natural fruits and vegetables if possible.

#Summary

Asparagus is a safe option to feed to your dog, and they  will enjoy the crunchy texture as a standalone treat or mixed in with their main meal. Always feed asparagus plain and cooked, as it's easier to digest and absorb all the wonderful health properties asparagus contains.