Arugula is a leafy vegetable with a spicy and peppery flavor, making it a great addition to Mediterranean dishes. If you want to share your food with your pet canine, you might be tempted to give your pet a bite or two of the vegetable. But the most important question is, can dogs eat arugula? Yes, dogs can eat arugula. It’s not toxic or dangerous for dogs to eat, so if you want to give your dog a taste of your salad with chopped arugula, then go for it. It’s healthy, tasty, and can even be good for your dog.
What is Arugula?
Arugula is a leafy green vegetable that belongs to the same family as mustard and cabbage. It has a spicy and peppery taste, making it a great ingredient to use in pizza, pasta, and salads. It is native to the Mediterranean region, where it is used in many of the region’s cuisines.
Also known as “rocket,” it is often confused for lettuce because of its deep green color and shape. When it comes to dogs, it makes for an ideal low-calorie snack, with only 2.5 calories in a half cup, yet it’s densely packed with nutrition. It is a great source of Vitamin K and Vitamin C, and it’s packed with phytochemicals that bring about a host of health benefits for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Arugula?
Yes, dogs can eat arugula but it should always be in moderation. Too many vegetables can be a bad thing for your dog, leading to indigestion or stomach upset.
Arugula is a nutritious treat for your dog but make sure you cook it before feeding it. Dogs can eat raw or cooked arugula but if your dog has thyroid problems, never feed it raw arugula.
Arugula Nutritional Facts
Arugula is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, as well as phytochemicals. One-half cup of arugula is equivalent to one serving, and here is the nutritional information about the vegetable:
- Calories = 2.5
- Fat = 0.1 grams
- Sodium = 2.7 mg
- Carbohydrates = 0.4 grams
- Fiber = 0.2 grams
- Sugar = 0.2 grams
- Protein = 0.3 grams
- Vitamin C = 1.5 mg
- Vitamin K = 10.9 mcg
Arugula is also a great source of Vitamin A, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, folate, magnesium, and beta-carotene.
Health Benefits of Arugula for Dogs
Arugula and other leafy green vegetables are not required food for your dog’s daily diet, but their addition can help boost certain health benefits for your dog. Remember, however, that vegetables should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet. If you want to feed arugula to your pet canine, it must only be used as a supplement to his diet, but never the main meal of the day.
Here are the benefits of arugula for dogs:
- Promotes Digestive Health
Arugula is high in fiber but low in sugar and carbs, making it a good vegetable to help improve their digestive health. The vegetable can also help reduce blockages or any digestive issues in dogs.
- Cancer Protection
Arugula is packed with cancer-protecting chlorophyll, which binds with toxins and heavy metals in the body, flushing them out. It is also rich in phytochemicals such as sulforaphane, indoles, and thiocyanates, which help slow down the progression of esophageal and colon cancer in dogs.
- Alleviates Diabetes
Arugula is packed with alpha-lipoic acid, which is an antioxidant that helps to lower glucose leaves in the blood, as well as improves insulin sensitivity.
- Boosts Bone Health
The high vitamin K content in arugula boosts bone health in dogs, leading to stronger bones and teeth. It also helps in the prevention of osteoporosis.
Risks in Feeding Arugula to Your Dog
While arugula is a highly nutritious treat for your dog, it does come with its list of risks. Here are things to consider:
- Raw Arugula is Bad for Dogs with Thyroid Issues
Dogs can eat raw or cooked arugula but if your dog has thyroid issues, it’s best that you don’t feed it any raw arugula. This is because arugula contains goitrogenic compounds, which can disrupt your dog’s production of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are essential for proper metabolism regulation in humans and dogs. Cooking arugula helps to mitigate this risk.
- Oxalic Acid Can Prevent Proper Nutrient Absorption
Oxalic acid may not be as high in arugula as in kale and spinach but it still contains a moderate amount of the compound. Oxalic acid can bind with essential minerals and can prevent the body from absorbing them. Avoid giving large amounts of arugula to your dog.
- Allergy Risk
As with any new food introduced to a dog, there is always the risk of allergic reactions. You might be tempted to give your pup arugula every day but if it’s never eaten the vegetable before, it’s best that you gradually introduce it to its diet. Observe any allergic reactions such as coughing, itching, sneezing, or wheezing. If any symptoms persist, bring your dog to the vet.
How to Prepare Arugula for Your Dog
The best way to give arugula to your dog is to cook it first. Buy fresh arugula and wash it thoroughly. Steam the vegetables but don’t overcook as overcooking can eliminate the vitamins and minerals. Do not add any seasoning as well. Once cooked, chop the arugula into small pieces, and feed it to your dog.
You can start with one tablespoon mixed with your dog’s regular dog food or meals. The spicy and peppery flavors of arugula may not be too pleasant for dogs but cooking it can help reduce the flavors.
You can feed arugula to your dog at least once every day if you want to take advantage of the health benefits of the vegetable but never use it as a meal replacement. Remember that dogs need protein and other nutrients as well. Make sure the arugula is less than 10% of your dog’s daily diet.
Final Words
Arugula is a nutritious leafy-green vegetable that’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals for dogs. It can promote digestive health, and bone health, and provides protection against cancer. Make sure to feed your dog cooked arugula if it has thyroid issues, but if none, you can feed your dog raw or cooked arugula.
As with any human food, always consult with your vet before giving it any new food in its diet. And when you do feed it to your dog, make sure it’s always in moderation.
Photo Credits:
Feeding Your Dog (Unsplash)
