Can Dogs Eat Cabbage?

Picture of purple cabbage

Wondering if your dog can eat cabbage? That’s a definite yes! Many dogs love cabbage, whether it’s green, purple, or fancy. And it’s good for your dog, too! But, moderation is important or you could end up with a very gassy dog.

Facts about Cabbage

Raw cabbage is a good source of thiamin, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, it also provides a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, folate and manganese. It’s a vegetable powerhouse. Cabbage is also rich in antioxidants which are good for the immune system. Many sources claim that it has cancer-fighting properties.

Is Cabbage Good for Your Dog?

Yes, cabbage can be good for your dog. You can feed it raw in small amounts or lightly cooked. (Don’t cook the cabbage to mush or it will destroy all of the nutrients. And most dogs enjoy cabbage leaves that have some “crunch.)  Because cabbage is high in dietary fiber it’s good for your dog’s digestion. And all of those vitamins and minerals are beneficial for your dog’s overall health.

Raw green cabbage

Are There Any Concerns about Cabbage?

There are just a couple of concerns about giving your dog cabbage. Some dogs can get gas (flatulence) if they eat too much raw cabbage. That’s why it’s recommended to only give your dog small amounts of raw cabbage at any one time. Your dog can become uncomfortable and no one really likes to be around a gassy dog. You can introduce small amounts of cabbage slowly to see if he has any trouble digesting it or any problems with gas. Try adding a little shredded cabbage to your dog’s dinner and see if it causes him any problems.

The other concern about giving your dog raw cabbage is that it contains a natural compound called thiocyanate. (Broccoli contains the same compound.) This compound suppresses the thyroid gland. If you give your dog a lot of raw cabbage over a long period of time it can lead to hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone in the body). However, if you lightly cook cabbage it will deactivate the thiocyante in the food and it won’t be a risk for your dog. Cooking is advisable if you give your dog cabbage often. Your dog would have to eat a lot of cabbage regularly for it to lead to hypothyroidism but cooking and only giving him moderate amounts can remove any concerns.

Conclusion

Most dogs love cabbage and there is no reason why you shouldn’t let your dog try some to see if he likes it. You can start by adding some chopped or shredded cabbage to your dog’s dinner. Cabbage is a very healthy vegetable but there are a couple of potential drawbacks to giving it your dog. Raw cabbage can make some dogs gassy. And, giving your dog lots of raw cabbage on a regular basis can lead to hypothyroidism. In both cases, lightly cooking the cabbage and limiting the amount you give your dog will help you avoid problems. Green, purple, and special varieties of cabbage are all equally safe to give to your dog.

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