Can Dogs Taste Artichokes?

Artichokes are a tasty vegetable that is full of healthy vitamins, minerals, and things like fiber. Although full and raw artichokes may look a little funny, they are both easy to cook and eat! Artichokes hearts come in cans and jars as well, which tend to be more popular than buying the full artichoke. 

You may have wondered if your dog can share artichokes with you when you are preparing them and eating them. In short, your dog can enjoy artichokes in moderation, but only if you prepare them in the correct way. You don't want the vegetable to become a choking hazard for your dog! 

If you decide to give your dog a piece of artichoke for the first time, you will be able to tell very quickly if they enjoy their veggie or if they are not a fan. All dogs are different, so some dogs will love it and some dogs will prefer other veggies. 

If you give your dog a piece of artichoke and they eat the veggie without any hesitation and swallow their bite, it is safe to say your dog likes artichokes. They may also show they like this veggie by pawing at your leg, begging, drooling, licking their lips, jumping up at you or the food, barking, whining, crying, or even howling. Other dogs may even pace around in front of you, spin in circles with excitement, and stare at you with very intent and very alert eyes...we all know that look. 

If your dog does not like artichokes they will likely take the pieces from you, try to chew it, and then spit it back out. Your dog may or may not attempt to eat the food again. Some dogs will try to play with the food or will paw at it to show they don't see it as food, but rather as something to play with. 

Artichokes are one of the oldest vegetables to have been cultivated by humans and they got their start in the 5th century. Historians agree that the artichoke plant originated in the Mediterranean, but others claim that it may have gotten its start in Sicily or Northern Africa. Regardless of where they were first discovered, artichokes are part of the thistle and sunflower family and are not technically a vegetable. Rather, they are actually the flower of a plant. 

The Ancient Greeks and Romans believed the artichokes were aphrodisiacs and eating them would ensure a woman would have a baby boy. The plant was also a rare delicacy that was generally reserved for the wealthy citizens and royalty. Artichokes were often depicted in drawings and paintings as well. They would appear on tables and in family gatherings where a table full of beautiful food was the centerpiece. 

Since this plant was held in such a high esteem, it is very unlikely that dogs were ever given this food on purpose. Dogs would have been fed meat and bones, and foods that were considered delicacies and were expensive would have been reserved for only wealthy people and special occasions. Although dogs may not have had the opportunity to taste an artichoke many thousands of years ago, they can eat plenty of artichokes today as they are inexpensive and readily available in most supermarkets!

Artichokes are not a veggie we typically associate with giving our dog for its nutritional benefits, but in moderation, artichokes are safe and very healthy for a dog's diet. Dogs are able to eat the whole artichoke - leaves, stems, and the hearts as well. 

Artichokes are very high in antioxidants, which help to eliminate harmful free radical buildup within the body. Artichokes also contain high levels of folate, dietary fiber, niacin, and potassium, which are essential nutrients for your dog's overall health. Fiber keeps the digestive function working well, so if your dog is struggling with loose stools or constipation, artichokes may be a good solution. Artichokes are also very low in calories and fat, making them a healthy snack alternaive to processed dog treats. 

Just because the whole artichoke is not toxic to dogs, does not mean you shouldn't take some precautions and keep a few things in mind when letting dogs eat some. Just like anything else, dogs should only have small amounts of artichokes and should not be given them too frequently. Eating too much artichoke can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is particularly the case if they have never eaten artichokes before as their body may have to get used to them a little bit.

Artichokes can be given to your dog raw or cooked. If they are going to have them cooked, boiled artichokes are the best option because they don't need any butter or oil for cooking. You also want to avoid adding any seasoning, like salt and pepper, because these are unnecessary ingredients for your dog. When it comes to fruits and veggies, the best rule of thumb to remember is the plainer the better.

With that being said, we believe the best way to feed your dog artichokes is giving it to them raw. Raw artichokes have the highest levels of nutrients, so this ensures your dog is getting the plant's full nutritional value. When giving the veggie to your dog, cut the artichoke into small, bite-sized pieces. This makes it much easier for them to chew and to digest. You can give them the pieces in your hand or you can mix it into their meals if you need to disguise the flavor for them a bit.  

We also recommend you avoid getting canned or jarred artichokes. Much of the time these cans and jars are filled with oils, salt, and seasonings like garlic and onions that are toxic to dogs in large quantities. These flavors and oils and unnecessary and should not be added into your dog's diet if they do not have to be.