Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by Woody Pet
Sharing our food with our dogs improves the bondage between us. Asparagus sprouts during the spring season. We eat the stalk right after it has sprouted and before it grows leaves, fruits, and finally seeds. We’re all definitely under the magic of this vegetable. So the question now is, can dogs eat asparagus too?
In a nutshell…
Yes, but you might want to give your dog asparagus with caution. Dogs can eat the cooked tender parts of asparagus that people eat, but dogs can’t digest the raw stalk. It also has the possibility of becoming a choking hazard. For you to give asparagus, you must cut the stalk at the bottom to remove the fibrous part and cook it until it is soft. Then you can share it with your puppy.
Another point of caution is, when asparagus is left to grow, it can flower and grow berries. The seeds and the seed pods are poisonous to both dogs and humans. Asparagus is best eaten at a tender age before growing leaves.
If humans or dogs ingest asparagus berries, dangers include stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. This is a concern for dog parents who grow asparagus in their backyard because their dogs may be tempted to test some unless a sturdy perimeter fence around the garden is built.
Asparagus benefits and side effects
Dogs are omnivores just like humans. Therefore, fruits and vegetables have health benefits for their growth and nutrition. Vegetables and fruits are low in fats and sugars while high in vitamins and fiber. Asparagus is high in folic acid, fiber, thiamin, potassium, and vitamins A, and B6, making it a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.
But dogs must eat only adequate amounts of asparagus because of its high fiber content, which can cause diarrhea and gas. After sharing asparagus with your four-legged friend, you might watch out for the “land mines”.
Giving your pooch asparagus: how to cook
Remember: asparagus must be chopped into bite-size and cooked well before giving it to your dog. You can cook asparagus in bone broth with other vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes for a delicious and nutritious meal for your pup.
If your pup likes chicken broth, cook rice in it and add chopped asparagus 10 minutes before the rice cooks for a tasty doggy risotto. Or share plain cooked asparagus if your dog likes its taste. Before serving your dog, test the pieces of asparagus to make sure they are soft and easy for your dog to chew.
How much asparagus can I give to my dog?
The 10% veggies rule is paramount for dogs. The content found in asparagus includes; 93% water, 3 grams of dietary fiber, and 28 calories in a cup. When starting your dog with asparagus, just like any new food, start with a small amount, and see how your dog responds. If everything goes well, you can increase gradually for regular asparagus treats.
What is asparagus fern and what danger does it pose to dogs?
Again, asparagus generally is not toxic for dogs. As a precaution, however, cut off the lower parts and cook the remaining stock well before feeding your dog. There is asparagus fern which is toxic to dogs and humans, but it is closely related to the asparagus we eat.
If you are growing asparagus and you allow it to flower and produce seed pods, don’t let your dog near them because the berry-like red seed pods are toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Is raw asparagus good for dogs?
If your dog is used to eating raw vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, or celery, they might love to taste asparagus raw too. But are they safe for dogs? Can dogs eat asparagus raw as part of a raw diet? Raw vegetables contain more nutrients than cooked vegetables. If your dog has never eaten raw veggies before, it isn’t wise to start them off with asparagus. Heat them sparingly until tender before giving them and of course, you do not want to choke your canine friend, so slice them into bite pieces.
You can take it further for your dog to have easy time-ingesting asparagus; gently trim away the woody crown and the scales from the stalk before cutting it into sizable pieces for your dog.
Is white asparagus safe for dogs to eat?
Can dogs eat different colored asparagus such as white? White asparagus gets its color because of the conditions it grows in and no genetically induced components for the color. So they are just as safe as normal asparagus for dogs to eat. In fact, when the white asparagus is cooked its unique appearance fades away to retain the normal color for asparagus.
Same to white asparagus, purple asparagus loses most of its purple color when cooked to look like the green varieties. And it has plenty of nutrients like other varieties too. The only difference is; purple asparagus is a little higher in sugar content. It is also more tender than the green and white varieties which makes it easier for dogs to eat raw. So while feeding your dog purple asparagus, be mindful of the sugar levels it has.
Summing it up…
So, can dogs eat asparagus? Now you know that you can safely feed your canine friend with asparagus and not only that; they stand to benefit from the nutritious contents of asparagus. Asparagus is a great addition to a canine diet. Make sure that you cook them and cut them into bite pieces for dogs for choking concerns.
If your pup is used to eating raw vegetables, raw asparagus will be great because it is high in nutritional value. If you are starting your dog with veggies, don’t do it with asparagus, and if you must give them a treat, consult with your vet first.
Also, watch out for stinky urine in your dog. It means there might be an issue with asparagus. You might be surprised by some interesting potty behavior after the asparagus treatment session. Have you ever given your dog an asparagus treat? If so, you might have noticed asparagus odors, it’s nothing to worry about.
