The green stalks usher in spring, making for an ideal addition to everything from omelets to salads. But can dogs eat asparagus? And, if your dog eats some off the floor, is it cause for concern?
“Generally, dogs can have asparagus,” says Dr. Anthony Hall, DVM, an expert affiliated with the pet telehealth app AirVet.
Is Asparagus Bad for Dogs?
The green stalks of asparagus that humans eat are non-toxic for dogs. However, if you walk by wild asparagus or grow it yourself, you’ll want to keep your pup away from it as Dr. Hall says asparagus berries or flowers can be toxic. He suggests putting up a fence around your garden, if you grow asparagus.
Is Asparagus Good for Dogs?
Asparagus is full of zinc, which Dr. Hall says is good for immune support.
Cooking reduces the nutritional content of many vegetables, including asparagus – but dogs can’t benefit from those nutrients in raw asparagus; it needs to be cooked in order to make the nutrients available to dogs.
Pay special attention to your dog for a day after feeding asparagus. If you seen any signs that it did not agree with him, you probably won’t want to give it to him again.
“As with anything eaten, if they have a sensitivity to it, vomiting and diarrhea are the biggest things you’ll see,” Dr. Hall says.
“If it’s one bout of vomiting and they vomit the asparagus, don’t feed it to them again,” Dr. Hall says. “That should take care of it, although you can still feed something bland like boiled chicken and rice.”
If the symptoms continue, Dr. Hall suggests calling the vet.
Read Next: What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?
