If you are one of million dog owners who want to feed their pets with human food, this is a page for you. Can dogs eat brussel sprouts? Many of you will say yes while some will say no. So, what is the truth? We will have to take a deep look into this topic and explain it in order to help you understand all the details and specifics you need to know.
Are Brussel Sprouts Safe for Dogs?
We all know what brussel sprouts are so there is no need to explain these. Can dogs eat brussel sprouts? Yes, they can. As a matter of fact, dogs can benefit from these as you shall see below. On the other hand, there are a few things to consider as well.
Brussel sprouts are ideal due to their low calorie count. ½ cup of brussel sprouts will have only 28 calories and 2 grams of fiber. This is a very low calorie count and can be ideal for dogs who need to lose weight. In addition, this is an ideal treat for dogs who have diabetes.
Will your dog eat brussel sprouts is a completely different thing. Many dogs don’t like them and they will refuse to eat them. Some will eat them a few times and then stop while some will adore brussel sprouts. Keep in mind that if you are introducing this food to your dog, do it slowly. You need to gradually include it in the diet so a dog has the time to accept and get used to the food.
Benefits of Brussel Sprouts For Dogs
For lack of a better word, brussel sprouts are healthy. Humans will get all kinds of health benefits which is great. But, dogs can get a lot of these as well so you may want to consider making the addition. Below you can see the benefits all dogs will get from eating brussel sprouts.
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Vitamins B6 and B1
These vitamins are very important. They can help the body release more energy from the food and at the same time have a positive effect on the brain and when it comes to making new cells.
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Vitamin K
This particular vitamin is essential for bone metabolism and also blood clotting. The vitamin is mandatory for controlling and regulating levels of calcium in the blood and therefore boosts the blood flow while decreasing the risk of heart diseases.
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Vitamin C, A, Folate, and Sulforaphane
All of these will have a lot of benefits to your dog. The first one is a stronger immune system which is essential. Then we can see their antioxidant properties which will protect the cells of the organism. In addition, these ingredients decrease the risk of cancer and various heart diseases.
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Antioxidants
Brussel sprouts are high with antioxidants. These can kill free radicals and prevent damages to the cells and organs. What this means is that dogs will age slower and their cognitive capabilities will remain at a higher level much longer.
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Isothiocyanates
Explaining what Isothiocyanates are is complicated. All we can add here is that these have a positive effect on slowing cognitive decline, and aging, protect the heart and slow down the cancer progress.
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Ideal For Weight Loss
Obesity in dogs is more severe than you may believe. These animals are not made to be obese. As such, you may want to help your pet lose some weight. Brussel sprouts are high in fiber. On the other hand, we can’t see a lot of calories. Thanks to the fiber, your pet will feel full much longer and he will eat less and less frequently. This is an ideal recipe for losing weight. There is no need to add that brussel sprouts don’t contain any sugar.
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Kaempferol
Kaempferol is not a well-known nutrient or ingredient but it is very important. It is known to decrease the risk of cancer in dogs. If you have a dog breed that is prone to cancer like Golden Retriever, you may want to add Brussel sprouts to his diet as soon as possible.
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Plenty Of Minerals
Brussel sprouts have all sorts of minerals in high numbers. We can see manganese, calcium, potassium, and a lot more. What they do is boost bone health, promote cell function, the function of the nervous system, muscles, and also fluid balance.
Downsides Of Brussel Sprouts
If you see all of the above you will believe that this is an ideal food and all dogs should eat it every single day. This is not possible. Brussel sprouts are beneficial, but there are some issues you need to know about.
Isothiocyanates are perfect due to one thing. They promote food movement in the intestine. However, they can also promote the growth of bacteria. What this means is that your pet will end up with gas, a lot of it. Gas is the only way his body can remove the product of the bacteria which will be present in massive amounts.
If you give your dog a size that is too big and has the peel on it, there are additional issues. This is a choking hazard and the peel is hard to digest. If you remove the peel and you give him small pieces, he will be fine. Keep in mind that large pieces can cause intestinal blockage. Leaves are safe but only if they are cooked and also chopped.
Raw brussel sprouts are not something dogs should eat. They are extremely difficult to digest so most dogs end up with diarrhea, upset stomach, or some other complications.
The Final Word
Can dogs eat brussel sprouts? Yes, they can and they should. But you should feed your dog brussel sprouts only as an addition to the diet or a treat. They must not eat this food every single day in massive amounts. You can use it as a healthy treat which is the best option. Your dog will get all the good sides but not all the bad ones we have here.