Yes, dogs can eat asparagus provided they are cooked. Asparagus is a nutritious food that enhances your dog’s health with its rich fiber and vitamins content. On the contrary, refrain from feeding raw asparagus to your dogs as they are pretty difficult to chew and can cause digestive issues.
What is Asparagus?
Asparagus or Asparagus officinalis is a healthy, yummy vegetable that belongs to the Asparagaceae family, containing more than 200 species of plants. It is a perennial vegetable that grows year after year and is prevalent in regions like China, Thailand, Mexico, Peru, and Germany. There are different types of asparagus, namely:
- Green asparagus
- Purple asparagus
- White asparagus
Is Asparagus Safe for Dogs?
Asparagus is a non-toxic and edible vegetable. However, raw asparagus can pose a potential choking hazard due to its toughness. So, cut and cook to ensure safe consumption for your dog.
The asparagus plant contains the asparagus fern, which is toxic to both plants and human beings. In addition, once the plant is allowed to flower, they produce small red berries that are also toxic. So, ensure to feed the cooked stalks of the asparagus while they are still growing. Additionally, if you have a garden with the asparagus plant, seal its access with a solid fence to protect your dog.
Why is asparagus good for dogs?
- Low fat treat
Asparagus is low in calories and fats and is devoid of sugars. Hence, this vegetable is an excellent healthy treat for your overweight dogs instead of high-fat commercial treats.
- Powerful antioxidant
Asparagus is known for its powerful antioxidant properties. Therefore, this vegetable effectively battles free radicals that damage the cells and lead to cancer, arthritis, and inflammation.
Additionally, asparagus constitutes 93% water and has about three grams of dietary fiber per cup in addition to essential nutrients that improves your dog’s health as follows:
|Vitamin – B6||Supports red blood cells generation and immune response Nervous system function Hormone regulation|
|Vitamin – A||Boosts your puppy’s immune systemPromotes bone development and the reproductive system.Enhances eyesight, prevents night blindness and cataract in dogs.Supports proper function and quality of skin, coat, muscles, and nerves.|
|Vitamin – C||This powerful antioxidant targets and destroys free-radical molecules that can damage new cells. Anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic|
|Vitamin – E||Enriches the skin and coat Prevents skin irritation and ear infections.|
|Vitamin – K||This is an essential mineral that synthesizes the coagulation of proteins needed for blood clot|
|Potassium||It helps in the proper functioning of your dog’s kidneysAids in maintaining cardiac and digestive healthIt strengthens your pet’s bones. It regulates fluid levels, and promotes muscle development.|
|Dietary fiber||Regulates bowel movementsPrevents constipationHelps weight managementBuilds the immune systemReduces bloatingFortifies against illness and infectionLowers the risk of colon cancer|
|Folic acid||Treats deficiencies.Helps maintain normal metabolic function.Aids in the red blood cells formation.|
|Phosphorous||This mineral teams up with calcium to form bones and teeth.Acts as a catalyst for bodily functions like growth, maintenance, and cell repair.|
|Manganese||Catalyzes enzyme activity|
|Thiamin||Used for carbohydrate metabolism required for the proper functioning of the brain and other high-energy organs.|
|Selenium||Aids in thyroid metabolism.Promotes DNA synthesis.|
|Antioxidants||Serves as a good anti-inflammatory.Promotes immune system activity and helps fight allergies.Effectively removes free radicals from the body and decreases the ill effects due to aging.The glutathione antioxidant fights against free radicals that damages the cells causing arthritis, inflammation, and cancer.|
Why is Asparagus Bad for Dogs?
Despite its health benefits, asparagus comes with certain risks you need to know. Therefore, it has to be fed with caution:
- Choking Hazard:
Raw asparagus comes with a tough stalk that challenges your do