Can dog's eat... Lettuce?

Yes, dogs can eat lettuce of all varieties, or a mix of varieties at one time in small amounts and have no side effects or reactions. There are many types of lettuce, and the size, colour and even flavour differs between each variety. Lettuce increases in popularity during the summer months or warmer weather, and can be found in supermarkets year round for the more health conscious of us..

Sadly though, not many dogs will be queuing up to eat lettuce, it's very much an individual preference in a select few dogs. However, it's always worth offering your dog a few varieties of lettuce to see if you can persuade them that lettuce is tasty, as it is low calorie, contains vitamins and minerals, and is hydrating. Using leaves as part of puzzle feeders or brain games can be a fun way to keep your dog's mind sharp, particularly important in older dogs who struggle with cognitive decline.

#Are there health benefits of eating lettuce?

Yes there are health benefits for your dog through eating lettuce:

• Lettuce contains fibre, which helps gastrointestinal motility, feeds the ‘good’ bacteria in the gut and reduces the risks of constipation. These benefits are especially important in older dogs, or dogs with medical concerns such as osteoarthritis in the back or hips.
• High water content vegetables. Water is needed to sustain life, so the more available it is, the healthier your dog will be. The body is able to balance its water requirements, and eliminate any extra, whilst maintaining good hydration. Water is needed in many chemical processes in the body, including the digestion of food, so having a high water content vegetable in your dog's diet is an excellent thing.
• Its low calorie content makes lettuce a good choice if your dog has a medical condition such as diabetes, or is on a restricted calorie diet. Your dog can still get the positive reinforcement of a reward or treat but without the extra calories that would go with a shop bought dog treat for example.
• Beta carotene helps maintain eye function and health, so again this is beneficial to aging dogs in particular whose sight may be reduced, but all dogs will benefit from a beta carotene boost!
• Immune boosting properties present in vitamins A and C can help fight off infection and keep your dog healthy. Learn about the benefits of vitamin C for dogs.

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##Can dogs eat lettuce raw?

Yes dogs can eat lettuce raw in small amounts. When feeding raw lettuce (especially if it's home grown in your garden or allotment) washing and drying the lettuce thoroughly is important. Compost or fertilizer can make dogs feel very unwell, so a good wash can remove all soil matter from the lettuce before it's fed.

Feed the raw lettuce on its own, not for example mixed in with a salad as some vegetables (such as onions) and salad dressings can be toxic to dogs or make them ill.

#Can dogs eat cooked lettuce?

Cooking lettuce may sound crazy, but it's fairly common in some types of cuisine such as Asian cuisine. The good news is that dogs can eat cooked lettuce if fed as purely cooked lettuce. Lots of the spices, flavourings and sauces used in cooking lettuce have the potential to cause gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence and abdominal pain in dogs. Therefore if you have cooked lettuce as part of a dish, do not share with your dog if they are giving you puppy eyes whilst you eat it!

#How much lettuce can a dog eat?

When thinking about how much lettuce a dog can eat, you must take the size of your dog into consideration:

• Puppies or small breeds can have ½ to 1 cup of chopped lettuce per week.
• Medium breeds can have 1- 1½ cups of chopped lettuce per week.
• Large breeds can have up to 2 cups of chopped lettuce per week.

When considering the per week recommendations, we suggest splitting the total amount e.g. 1 cup across a few meals. This is because too much lettuce at once can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms. Signs your dog may have had too much lettuce include being quiet or lethargic, looser stools or diarrhoea, salivating and occasionally vomiting the lettuce back up. These symptoms usually pass within 24 to 48 hours and you should reduce the amount of lettuce you feed your dog at one time thereafter.

#Summary

Dogs can eat lettuce, but not all dogs enjoy or want to eat it. It's always worth offering lettuce to your dog, as it's a safe and healthy vegetable they can eat when at home. Lettuce is versatile, and can be used as treats, or in brain games to strengthen memory and learning. Always feed lettuce plain and chopped or shredded into small strips to be extra safe.