A balanced diet is essential if you want to keep your dog healthy, so you need to provide your dog with all necessary nutrients. Protein, fat, vitamins and water are vital dietary components that your dog should consume on a daily basis.
Apart from a dog’s commercial food, sometimes it is necessary to add certain human foods to your dog’s diet. But, before feeding your dog a certain human food, you have to be well informed about its safety for dogs. There are some human foods that may be toxic for dogs, such as chocolate and onions. Other foods may be beneficial if consumed moderately. For example, green leafy vegetables should be a part of every dog’s diet and most dogs love them.
In this article we will deal with cabbage. There’s no doubt that cabbage is very healthy for us humans, but can we give this vegetable to our dogs? Is cabbage beneficial for dogs as well? Does cabbage contain any compounds that are toxic to dogs? In this article you will find the answers to these questions, but first we will tell you something more about cabbage, as one of the most popular vegetables in the world. Or, you can also read about radishes being served as dog food on our site.
More about Cabbage
Cabbage is a leafy green which is grown as an annual vegetable crop. It is also called headed cabbage and it is related to cauliflower, brussels sprouts and broccoli. Cabbage is a member of the genus Brassica and it belongs to the mustard family. Cabbage can be prepared in many ways. You can eat this vegetable raw, but you can also steam it, pickle it or boil it. Cabbage is commonly used in salads, but you can also prepare many dishes using this healthy vegetable. Cabbage is a great source of vitamins C and K but it is also rich in vitamin B6 and folate.
Cabbage has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years. It can help in preventing and treating many health problems, but if consumed in large amounts it can lead to bloating and flatulence. There’s no doubt that cabbage has many health benefits for people, but what about dogs? Can we give this vegetable to dogs or it may be poisonous for them? Read along and you will find out soon.
Is Cabbage Safe for Dogs?
We have great news for all dog owners. If your dog has eaten a certain amount of cabbage, don’t panic immediately! Nothing bad will happen because cabbage is perfectly safe for dogs and, what is most important, many dogs really love this vegetable. Cabbage is rich in antioxidants, which is very beneficial for dogs. It is known that cabbage is a good laxative for people, but it can also help in the digestion of dogs.
Also, cabbage is great for skin care, especially if your dog has dry or rough skin. Cabbage can also treat skin irritation and reduce the risk of different types of cancer. Antioxidants in cabbage fight against free radicals and they can prevent and reduce the risk of many diseases. Dogs can eat any type of cabbage, such as purple cabbage, savoy cabbage etc. Due to its great health benefits, cabbage is often used as an ingredient in many commercial dog foods.
Although cabbage is safe for dogs, it is important to introduce this vegetable slowly into your dog’s diet because it may cause gas and bloating. It is recommended to start with a small amount of cabbage. You can chop it and sprinkle on the top of your dog’s meal. Watch the reaction of your dog. Probably there won’t be any side effects, because dogs are quite tolerant to cabbage. But if you notice any changes you should stop feeding your dog cabbage and take him to the vet.
How Much Cabbage Is Good for Dogs?
Cabbage is safe for dogs as long as it is consumed in moderation. It means that you should feed your dog only small amounts of this vegetable.
Have in mind that raw cabbage also contains thiocyanate, a natural compound that can cause hypothyroidism if consumed in large amounts.
To avoid any health risks, it is best to cook the cabbage before serving it to your dog. This way you will deactivate thiocyanate, so the cabbage will be absolutely safe for your dog, even in larger amounts.
Summary
If you are a dog owner, we hope this article was useful for you.
As you have seen, not only is cabbage safe for your dog, but it is also very healthy. Cabbage is rich in antioxidants so it can improve your dog’s health. This vegetable can help in digestion and it can also improve the skin of your dog. You can simply add cabbage to your dog’s normal food. It is recommended to feed your dog small amounts of cabbage, because large amounts of any food can lead to gastrointestinal and other health problems. Remember that you are the only responsible for your dog’s health. If you want to provide your dog long and healthy life, you need to take care of his diet.
As we have already said, cabbage should be a part of your dog’s diet, but it should be consumed moderately. Have in mind that moderation is the key of a good health. Also, you should always cook the cabbage before feeding your dog, because cooked cabbage is the best choice for dogs.
