Veggies are great sources of nutrients for humans, but feeding them to your dog can sometimes be quite harmful. This behavior can irritate their digestive tracts and make them sick. So what are the vegetables that dogs cannot eat?
Our team at VetNaturally veterinary services in Mandeville, LA, provides a list of seven vegetables that dogs cannot eat. Use this comprehensive guide the next time you want to give a treat to your furry friend.
1. Raw Potatoes
It may be tempting to give your dog small bits of raw potatoes. Many pet owners think the crunchy texture of these veggies might make an ideal snack for their canine. However, raw white potatoes (and potato plants) contain a compound called solanine that can harm your dog’s digestive system. Your pet could experience bouts of diarrhea and dehydration when consuming these treats. Also, raw potatoes of any kind can also cause intestinal blockage.
Cooked white potatoes are okay in limited quantities. Cooked sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are healthy for your dog to eat since they contain many nutrients and antioxidants. However, be aware of the glycemic index of potatoes if your dog is diabetic.
2. Garlic
According to studies, a dog’s blood must contain between 15 and 30 grams of garlic per kilogram of body weight in order to cause negative effects. To give a more clear description, the weight of a typical retail garlic clove found in grocery stores ranges from 3 to 7 grams, so your dog would have to consume a lot of garlic for the dog to become very ill. Although certain dogs are more susceptible to the toxicity of garlic than others, issues could also arise if a dangerous amount of garlic was eaten over a number of days.
In other words, it’s not a good idea to willfully give your dog garlic, but if they accidentally consume something with a little garlic in it by mistake, they’ll probably be fine.
3. Onions
Small portions of onions may not harm your pet. However, too much of this vegetable can cause severe complications such as nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Onions also contain N-propyl disulfide, which can damage a dog’s red blood cells, causing anemia. Be cautious when leaving them around your pets.
4. Wild Mushrooms
Some vegetables that dogs cannot eat exist outside the kitchen. Be wary of wild mushrooms the next time you take your pet on a walk. Like humans, your dog can become sick with vomiting and confusion after consuming the wrong type of mushroom.
It can be challenging to identify a mushroom’s toxicity at a glance. If you suspect your dog is experiencing symptoms of mushroom poisoning, seek emergency veterinary services immediately. In severe cases, these vegetables can cause fatal symptoms.
5. Broccoli
We tell children to eat broccoli so they grow big and strong. However, these vegetables can do quite the opposite for canines. Broccoli florets contain compounds called isothiocyanates that can cause severe irritation to dogs’ digestive systems. While small doses may give your pet unpleasant gas, too much broccoli can cause certain breeds to become sick. These chemicals can linger in a canine’s body for days, causing fatigue, vomiting, and pain.
6. Tomatoes
Small pieces of ripe tomatoes that fall off your sandwich won’t harm your dog. However, unripe tomatoes can be highly toxic to canine nervous systems. These vegetables contain a glycoalkaloid that targets a dog’s kidneys and creates long-term health problems.
Fortunately, avoiding unripe tomatoes can be as simple as fencing your dog away from your garden or monitoring them during walks.
7. Asparagus
Some vegetables that dogs cannot eat are simply impractical treats. For example, asparagus may not cause your dog to become sick, but it could be a choking hazard. These veggies are too hard for dogs to chew raw and contain no nutritional value when cooked.
Chopped carrots are an excellent alternative snack for dogs if you want to give your pet a crunchy treat. Additionally, celery offers essential antioxidants that help fight cancer and freshen their breath.
Learn More at VetNaturally
At VetNaturally, the premier veterinary clinic in Mandeville, Louisiana, we provide vet care plus services like food therapy and acupuncture. We’re here to answer questions about keeping your pet healthy, such as which vegetables dogs cannot eat and whether it’s alright to give dogs milk. Call us at VetNaturally in Mandeville, Louisiana, at 985-718-9991.
