Can Dogs Eat Asparagus?

Most people either love or hate asparagus. If you love it, you know it’s a tasty veggie with fantastic health benefits. But can dogs eat asparagus and also enjoy those same benefits? Keep reading to find out.

Asparagus for Dogs: Nutritious or Toxic?

When it comes to asparagus, there are actually some pros and cons to feeding it to our pups. While not toxic to dogs, it can pose some risks depending on how it is prepared.

Let’s dive deeper into this topic to fully understand the benefits and how to feed asparagus to your pup safely.

Asparagus is Highly Nutritious

Asparagus is loaded with beneficial vitamins and minerals for both you and your doggo. Asparagus provides:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E 
• Vitamin B6
• Potassium
• Dietary fiber
• Folic acid
• Phosphorous 
• Manganese 
• Thiamin
• Selenium

All of the wonderful antioxidants will help your pup fight free radicals while the essential vitamins and minerals will support her immune system and maintain a healthy coat, sharp eyesight, strong teeth and bones, and more. 

The fiber content can help keep your pup regular. And because there are few calories, asparagus can make a healthy snack for those pups who need to take off a few pounds.

The Risks of Asparagus for Dogs

We’ve just talked about why asparagus can be very healthy for your dog, now let’s look at some risks and considerations.

Choking Hazard

Perhaps the biggest risk of feeding your pup asparagus is the fact it is a ‘stalky’ vegetable. Meaning it’s fairly tough and could pose a choking hazard for dogs who normally swallow their food without chewing it.

If you want to safely give asparagus to your pup, be sure to cut it up into very small pieces. If you have a tiny breed dog, you may want to forgo offering even small pieces, which could still pose a problem for their tiny tracheas. 

We should also mention that raw asparagus poses even more of a choking hazard. You wouldn’t eat raw asparagus, don’t feed your dog anything but COOKED asparagus.

Digestive Upset

Speaking of the dangers of raw asparagus, it can also be very difficult for your pup to digest and cause stomach upset. Even cooked asparagus can cause issues like gas, vomiting, or diarrhea because of its high fiber content. So be sure to only feed very small amounts. If you’re unsure how much asparagus is okay to give your dog daily, ask your vet for guidance. 

Steaming or Boiling is Best

While you may like to cook your family’s asparagus in butter or oil, these foods are not good for your pup. Especially if they have dealt with bouts of pancreatitis. Cooked asparagus also tends to be seasoned with salt, pepper, onions, or garlic, other no-nos for our four-legged family members.

Best to just steam or boil a few stalks and cut them up into little pieces and feed a little bit each day for a healthy snack.

The Asparagus Fern

Asparagus plants produce two outgrowths: the stalk, which we harvest, cook, and eat, and the fern, which is NOT edible. While it’s not technically a fern, it is called that and it is related to the edible part of the plant.

When you buy asparagus at the store, you’re only buying the stalks of the plants. But, should you grow your asparagus in your backyard garden, it’s a good idea to fence the plants off as the fern part is toxic to dogs. Should your pup eat any of it they may experience gastric pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. 

So, Can Dogs Eat Asparagus or is it Not a Great Idea?

Feeding your dog asparagus can absolutely be a smart idea as this veggie offers a lot of essential vitamins, minerals, and healthy fiber. Just be sure to follow our guidelines and do not feed raw asparagus, prepare without any fats or spices/herbs (steaming or boiling the stalks is best), cut the stalks up into tiny pieces, and only feed a little bit at a time to avoid causing gas or GI upset.

As always, we recommend you speak with your vet before feeding your pup any new food. Also, think of asparagus as something you give only as an occasional treat!

Pet Insurance – Another Healthy Treat!

More and more pup parents are enrolling their fur babies into a pet insurance plan, because it ensures they can always afford veterinary treatments should an accident or illness occur. 

If you’ve wondered who are the best insurance providers in the space, here are the top providers with rankings based on over 150,000 reviews from pet parents just like you:

References:

1. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-asparagus/
2. https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-asparagus
3. https://www.thesprucepets.com/can-dogs-eat-asparagus-7485056

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.