While dogs can eat cooked spinach, it’s important to ensure the spinach wasn’t prepared with too much oil or butter. It’s also important to ensure that the spinach was not cooked with onions or garlic. The two best ways to cook spinach for your dog are blanching and steaming.
Have you thought about giving your dog some leafy greens but are unsure which ones to give? It’s great that you want to provide your dog with some high-quality nutrients, but you should remember that not all vegetables are safe for dogs to consume.
This is why you should always do your research online (the very thing you’re doing now) and talk to a veterinarian before you give your dog something new. You should also find out if certain foods are healthy for a specific breed. Breeds react differently to certain foods (although all breeds respond the same to spinach).
Even if your vet says that giving your pup veggies is completely safe, slowly introduce them to your furry friend. Start with a very small portion and gradually increase from there.
The best thing you can do is mix the leafy greens with your dog’s kibble. This is especially useful if your dog doesn’t enjoy vegetables.
If you see your dog continuously sorting its food out and leaving the veggies behind, the vegetables don’t satisfy its taste buds. Keep trying new veggies until you find one your dog likes… but which veggies should you test with your dog?
Below is a list of six different veggies that are safe for dogs to consume. The last one (spinach) provides the most nutrients. Because of this, once we go over the list of six veggies, we will go into more detail on various ways to prepare spinach for your dog. Initially, your dog may not be fond of spinach, but if you keep testing the preparation method, he may grow to love it!
What You'll Learn
Veggies and Leafy Greens That Are Good for Dogs.
You can safely give your pet the following vegetables and leafy greens without worrying about any health issues.
Broccoli
Broccoli has an abundance of vitamin K, C, and potassium, which are all “building blocks” for stronger bones and a healthy immune system.
You can feed it to the dog in either raw form or steam/blanch it. Start by mixing it with food. If you see your dog eats the entire plate, you can try giving broccoli to them as a standalone snack.
Carrots
Carrots have been nicknamed the “eye veggie” because they contain a high amount of vitamin A for stronger, sharper eyes. But carrots also contain biotin, fiber, calcium, and vitamin K for bone strength. They also help keep blood sugar levels in check to help prevent doggie diabetes.
Cucumber
Rich in fiber and containing a lot of water, cucumbers are the perfect summer snack. Cucumbers are especially beneficial for overweight dogs because they are extremely low in calories. This means your dog can eat quite a few without packing on the pounds.
Kale
A “nutrient powerhouse,” this vitamin-rich leafy green can be safely added to a dog’s diet. Like the other veggies, kale will help with bone strength, boost the immune system (even helps fight against cancer), and prevents the muscles from cramping up.
Celery
Another green “superpower” in the house! Celery is abundant in vitamins, fiber, and other nutrients like riboflavin and niacin. They all help keep your dog’s digestive system running smoothly. It also helps keep the coat shiny and joints lubricated.
Spinach
Spinach is by far the healthiest leafy green for dogs to consume. Not only does it contain vitamins A, K, C, E, but it is also full of potassium, folic acid, calcium, fiber, and iron to keep your dog’s diet completely balanced.
You can be confident that you are doing your beloved pet a lot of good by including this plant in its diet.
Let’s examine this health giant to see how it can benefit your dog, what potential side effects it may have, and the best ways to prepare it to maximize nutrient absorption.
Is Spinach Safe for My Dog? What if It’s Cooked?
Although spinach might be one of the best greens for dogs, there are still a few precautions you should be aware of. Too much spinach may have an adverse effect and cause more harm than good.
You should always check with your vet first to determine if your dog “qualifies” to consume the veggie. Spinach contains a component called oxalic acid, which can hinder a dog’s body’s ability to absorb calcium, leading to kidney stones. If untreated, kidney stones can lead to kidney failure and a lethal outcome for a fur baby.
However, for this scary scenario to take place, you need to feed your dog crazy amounts of spinach, which is a very illogical thing to do.
Dogs, unlike humans, are carnivorous. This means they can thrive on meat alone. They only need a small number of veggies a few times per week.
It is wise to use your judgment, even if the veterinarian gives you the green light. It’s best to introduce spinach slowly to see if any reaction occurs. Any abnormal signs, such as an upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, restlessness, chills, and fever, should not be overlooked. If your dog has any of these symptoms, give the vet a call ASAP.
The Best Ways to Prepare Spinach for Your Pet
You can either give your dog raw spinach or cook it. Both methods are completely safe. Some dogs prefer the taste of raw spinach. Other dogs will only eat it when cooked.
For your dog to absorb the maximum amount of nutrients from spinach, the way you prepare it is vital. Below are the three best ways to prepare spinach for your dog.
Pureeing
Pureeing is simple. Just throw some spinach in a blender and turn the blender on. This will create a green “paste.” Once you have the paste, simply pour it over your dog’s dry food before mealtime. If your dog enjoys this combination, you can do this three to four times per week.
Blanching
Blanching is an excellent way to soften veggies/greens before giving them to your dog. Submerge the spinach into boiling water and then soak it for a few minutes in cold water right away. This will allow the leaves to hold on to most nutrients while the remaining dirt/pesticides on the leaves become history.
Steaming
Steaming is one of the best ways to cook spinach. Steaming will allow the leaves to retain all the nutrients and doesn’t “overcook” them. The best part is it doesn’t require any oil (which your dog shouldn’t be consuming anyway).
Cooked Spinach is Safe – But Be Cautious
If you are a spinach lover and want to share this passion with your best friend, do it in moderation! Watch for any alarming signs after you introduce spinach into your dog’s diet. If you notice anything odd, give the vet a call ASAP.
With that said, spinach is packed with vitamins that will be of great benefit to your dog. Dogs can eat both raw and cooked spinach, so experiment with a few cooking methods to see which one your dog likes the most.
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