Can Dogs Have Brussel Sprouts?

 

Estimated Read Time: 3 minutes 

Summary: “Are Brussel sprouts good for dogs?” Learn about Brussel sprouts and dogs in this blog, and whether they’re good or bad for dogs... 

 

You might turn your nose up at a Brussel sprout over your Christmas dinner or Sunday lunch with family, or you might simply adore these slightly slimy, miniature cabbages!  

Whatever your personal preference, Brussel sprouts are in fact packed with nutrients like vitamins K, B1, B6, A and C as well as an abundance of antioxidants, fibre, potassium, calcium and folate. But, can our canine chums enjoy a Brussel sprout or two with us next time they appear on our plate? Can dogs eat Brussel sprouts...? 

Can Dogs Eat Brussel Sprouts? 

Yes, dogs can have Brussel sprouts. However, they should only be given to a dog in very small portions.  

This is because Brussel sprouts have a reputation for causing excess gas in humans, and the same can happen in your dog too! Too many Brussel sprouts can also lead to gastrointestinal upset too and may result in vomiting or diarrhoea in your furry friend if they’re fed substantial amounts of sprouts.  

You should also make sure that your dog is only served fresh, cooked, plain and unseasoned Brussel sprouts. Make sure the leaves of the sprout aren’t brown or wilted before you boil, steam or microwave them, as if the sprout is slightly off it may cause unwanted looser bowel movements in your pup.  

Any seasoning on the sprouts like salt or butter may cause digestive discomfort or, if garlic or onion is cooked with the sprouts, this can pose a toxicity risk as garlic and onion are highly toxic to dogs.  

In addition, you should always cut the Brussel sprouts up into halves and quarters for your dog, so they are less likely to choke on the sprout – particularly if you have a dog that scoffs their food, or you own a small breed. Be sure to remove the hard, nubby stem of the sprout(s) before serving to your dog too.  

Always take it slowly when introducing any new food to your dog to avoid upsetting their stomach and to be sure they’re not allergic or intolerant to it - particularly with puppies. Feed a ¼ to ½ of a cooked, plain Brussel sprout to your dog and monitor their reaction for several hours after before considering continuing to feed low quantities of this nutritious vegetable to your dog. As with humans, all dogs will react differently to different foods so always be mindful of this when trying them on new foods, snacks, and treats regardless of whether they’re deemed safe. 

Sources

Author Guthrie, Lynn “Can Dogs Eat Brussel Sprouts? Yes – But They Can Cause Gas” Prrs & Wags by Pumpkin, Feb 28. 2022 https://www.pumpkin.care/blog/can-dogs-eat-brussels-sprouts/  

“Can Dogs Eat Brussel Sprouts?” Rover https://www.rover.com/uk/blog/can-dogs-eat-brussel-sprouts/