Taking care of our dogs is not easy, but it sure is rewarding for us dog lovers. One of the ways we show our love to our canine companions is to make sure they eat nutritious food and stay healthy.
Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of nutrients, and pet owners often include them in their dog’s diet. It’s important to check first if certain fruits and veggies are suitable and safe for dogs to eat.
Here at PetCareAdvisors, we have already featured different fruits and veggies, such as peppers and plums, and discussed whether your dogs could eat them or not.
And today, let’s check if cabbages are suitable for your dogs. Can dogs eat cabbage in general? In this article, we will answer that question. We will also discuss the possible health benefits or harmful effects of cabbages on your dogs.
Let’s Talk About Cabbage: Can dogs eat cabbage?
Yes. Dogs can not only eat cabbages, but they can also get a lot of nutrients that are beneficial for them.
Cabbage is a green, leafy vegetable that is rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin K. These vitamins and nutrients can boost your dog’s immunity, among other things.
Cabbage is also commonly used in different types of foods across the world. They can be used in salads, stews, soups, and side dishes. Cabbage is most popularly used to make coleslaw salads or stir-fried dishes in Chinese cuisine. It’s also used to make fermented dishes like sauerkraut or kimchi.
Luckily for your pets, you can also prepare cabbage in different ways to include in their meals. You can chop raw cabbages into small pieces and sprinkle them as toppings on your dog’s food. You can also cook the cabbages so your dogs can easily digest them.
If you’re fond of making homemade treats for your furry pals, you can easily mix cabbages into your recipe for the extra boost of nutrients.
Health Benefits of Cabbage
Speaking of nutrients, let’s explore further what health benefits does a cabbage offer to your dogs.
Cabbage is fiber-rich
Cabbage is rich in fiber, which promotes healthy digestion. Soluble fibers can lower bad cholesterol in the body by preventing these bad cholesterols from being absorbed in the blood.
The soluble fiber in cabbages is also essential for the beneficial gut bacteria to flourish in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.
These beneficial gut bacteria, namely Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, are probiotics that promote healthy digestion and protect the immune system from diseases that affect your dog’s digestive system.
Cabbage is also rich in insoluble fiber. Insoluble fibers can add bulk to your dog’s stool and promote digestive motility. These fibers prevent constipation and regulate your dog’s bowel movement.
Cabbages contain plant sterols
In addition to soluble fibers, cabbages also contain plant sterols called phytosterols. Phytosterols are compounds that reduce cholesterol absorption, so they are commonly associated with lowering cholesterol levels in the body.
They are commonly found in plant-based food such as nuts, broccoli, artichokes, cabbages, and green beans.
Cabbages are high in antioxidants
Cabbages, particularly red and purple cabbages, are rich in antioxidants called anthocyanin. Anthocyanins are responsible for the red or purple colors of cabbages, which also give other food, like berries and grapes, their vibrant colors.
They reduce the free radicals in the body, which helps in the prevention of other diseases, like cancer and heart-related diseases. Antioxidants can also boost your dog’s immune system by having antiviral and antibacterial properties and can reduce chronic inflammations.
Antioxidants alone make cabbages excellent treats for your dog. Wouldn’t you agree?
Cabbages are an excellent source of Vitamin C
Cabbage is rich in Vitamin C, another antioxidant essential for immune response. It also reduces the risk of chronic inflammations and cognitive aging in your dog’s body.
Vitamin C also aids in the production of collagen, which is essential for their bones and joints. Your dog’s skin and coat can also benefit because of Vitamin C.
Red cabbages contain 30% more Vitamin C than green cabbages. In fact, a cup of red cabbage has the same amount of Vitamin C as a small orange, which contributes to 85% of recommended Vitamin C intake in humans. That’s how nutritious cabbages are!
While your dogs can actually synthesize Vitamin C in their bodies, it’s not bad to give them a little boost from time to time.
Cabbages contain potassium
Potassium is another nutrient found in cabbages. It is an essential mineral that regulates blood pressure and relaxes the blood vessel walls in the body.
Dogs can be prone to salt poisoning or sodium ion poisoning when they ingest too much salt. Potassium is helpful in removing excess sodium in the body and can counter the effects of sodium, which makes cabbages an excellent option for your dogs.
Cabbages have a high water content
Did you know that cabbages contain about 95% water?
The high water content of cabbage makes it a staple choice for people looking to reduce or lose weight. If you want your dogs to lose some weight as well, you can definitely include cabbage in their meals.
Aside from these nutrients, cabbages also contain a good amount of Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Calcium, and Phosphorus. All of which are essential nutrients to our dogs, and even to us humans!
Can cabbage be harmful to dogs?
Like in humans, excessive consumption of cabbage can lead to stomach upset, digestive issues, and flatulence. Too much consumption of fiber can also lead to diarrhea, so it is best to give your dogs cabbages in moderation.
Cabbage also contains a natural compound called thiocyanate, which can cause hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is a common condition that slows down the body’s metabolism as the thyroid glands stop creating and releasing thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. This can lead to weight gain and fatigue.
Excessive consumption of raw cabbage can impact your dog’s thyroid glands, but cooking the cabbage can reduce the thiocyanate concentration or effectively remove it. And you don’t have to worry if you’re planning to feed your dog small or reasonable amounts of cabbage!
Some cooked cabbage dishes can also be harmful to dogs, especially if they contain a large amount of salt or seasonings. As mentioned earlier, a large intake of sodium can lead to salt poisoning in dogs.
Other ingredients in cabbage dishes like onions, garlic, or chives can also cause harm to your dogs. So feeding your dogs kimchi and sauerkraut is a big no-no.
How to prepare cabbages for dogs
Any types of cabbages (red, green, or Savoy) are safe for your dogs to consume and contain nutrients that are beneficial for their bodies.
The leaves of raw cabbages can be sliced thin and mixed into their food. Make sure not to give your furry pals some tough cabbage stems as they may cause choking, especially for smaller dog breeds.
If you want to give your dogs cooked cabbage, you can easily steam or boil them. Cooking also makes the cabbages easier for your dogs to digest. You can also include them in baked or air-fried homemade dog treats if you want.
Avoid using salt or seasonings. Surely your dogs won’t blame you even if you give them bland cabbage dishes.
You should also wash the cabbages properly and remove any rotten parts before preparing them in any way.
Don’t overfeed your dogs
If it’s your first time feeding them cabbage, introduce it in small amounts first. Once they come to like it, you can increase the amount to their preference. Just remember not to go overboard and feed them a lot.
Overfeeding cabbages and other high-fiber food can cause your dog digestive issues like constipation, flatulence, or diarrhea. We don’t want that to happen!
If you want the best advice on how much cabbage you should feed your dogs, consult your local vet, and they would be happy to assist you.
Can puppies eat cabbages?
We don’t recommend feeding cabbages to puppies as they tend to have a more sensitive digestive system compared to adult dogs. Eating cabbages can result in adverse stomach issues for your puppies.
Puppies require special care so you should never feed them anything unless approved by your veterinarian.
Conclusion: Can dogs eat cabbages?
If you’re a dog owner who’s looking for food that you can share with your dogs, you can definitely add cabbages to your list.
Cabbage is perfectly safe for your furry friend. They also contain high amounts of nutrients such as Vitamin C, dietary fiber, antioxidants, and potassium that are beneficial for your dog’s immune system and metabolism.
Cabbage also contains high amounts of water, which makes them good for hydration. Having a high water content can easily make your dogs feel full and keep their appetites a bay. It’s also a low-calorie food, so it’s a perfect treat for dogs, especially if they need to lose some weight.
However, as pet owners, you need to make sure not to feed your dogs too much cabbage. Overconsumption of cabbages can lead to stomach problems like constipation and flatulence. Cabbage also contains thiocyanate, which can lead to thyroid problems.
To summarize, dogs can eat cabbages in moderation.
It’s always wise to do research or consult your vet when introducing new food to your pets. We hope this article provided you with great insight.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of the blog for more pet care tips!