Can Dogs Eat Asparagus?

Asparagus is a delicious and healthy addition to our meals. How about our furry friends, though — can dogs have asparagus? It might be tempting to hand them a sprig of asparagus while you’re eating but there are several reasons you shouldn’t feed it from your plate.

This doesn’t mean dogs can’t have asparagus at all but there are a few things you need to think about before feeding it to them.

Technically, yes. Your dog can eat asparagus because it’s not toxic to them. However, it needs to be prepared in a certain way to ensure it’s safe for them to eat. 

Can dogs eat raw asparagus?

You now know you can feed your dog asparagus so next up, you’re probably wondering whether to cook it or not. So, can a dog eat asparagus when it’s raw? 

The answer is yes — it’s safe for them to eat, but remember that humans don’t tend to eat asparagus raw as it’s too chewy. For the same reason, when it’s raw (or even undercooked) it can be harder to chew and digest for our dogs too. Therefore it could be more likely to upset their stomach than if it’s cooked. 

If you want to feed your dog raw vegetables, then carrots are a much better option for them. 

Can dogs eat cooked asparagus?

So, should dogs be eating cooked asparagus then? Actually, cooking does actually remove a lot of the nutritional value from the vegetable; for this reason raw vegetables are a healthier option. 

But, as asparagus is a vegetable that’s harder to chew, it’s best to cook it by either boiling or steaming it in order to soften it for your dog. 

Owners should also be aware the asparagus can lead to calcium oxalate stones forming, so is to be avoided in dogs who have had urinary stones.

Can dogs taste asparagus?

Asparagus might be safe to feed to your dog, but there’s no guarantee he or she will like the taste of this vegetable. Try a small tester piece first – if your dog likes asparagus, it’ll quickly be eaten and they’ll be looking at you for more. If they don’t like it, expect your dog to spit it out onto the floor and then leave it.

Can dogs eat asparagus ends?

Right, you know they can eat it and it’s best when cooked, so can a dog eat asparagus without any of it being removed? Or should you chop off the ends?

The tip or head of the asparagus is fine for your dog to eat. The end, on the other hand, is the toughest part. It will be the most difficult bit of the asparagus to chew and digest. For smaller dogs, this can also be a choking hazard. So, always cut off the bottom end of the stalk before feeding it to them. 

While asparagus is safe for your dog to eat, if they get hold of any toxic fruit or vegetables they need to be seen by a vet  straight away. If this happens, you want to make sure you have a good insurance policy. Browse and compare the best pet insurance plan for peace of mind today. 

If you can feed asparagus to dogs, can you feed it to them when they are puppies? Yes, you can. But, as with older dogs, you need to cook it and cut it into small pieces. This is particularly important with puppies (and smaller dogs, too) as it will be even harder to chew and digest for them.

It should also only be fed to them in very small amounts. 

Yes, asparagus has lots of nutritional benefits as it’s full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants — all great for your dog. However, as it needs to be cooked and will lose a lot of its nutrients, you may want to choose a different fruit or vegetable that your pup can eat raw. 

Remember, asparagus needs to be cooked to soften it, so it’s easier to digest when chopped up to prevent them from choking on it. 

If your dog has an upset stomach and is showing signs of vomiting or diarrhea after eating asparagus, it may be that the vegetable simply doesn’t agree with them. This could be because it’s a new food but it could also be because it contains a significant amount of fiber. While they need this in their diet too much can cause stomach issues, including gas. 

Is the asparagus fern poisonous to dogs?

Yes, the asparagus fern is toxic to dogs. This is inedible and isn’t eaten by humans either. It must be removed before feeding asparagus to your dog. You don’t tend to buy it with the fern still attached, so you won’t need to worry about this. But, it’s important to note if you are growing asparagus yourself and your pup has access to it. 

Do you have a wellness plan for your pooch? You can ask any questions you may have about your dog including their diet during the routine examinations which are included in the plan. 

Firstly, make sure you thoroughly wash the asparagus. Cut off the end and then lightly boil or steam it. While you might cook asparagus for yourself in butter or oil and may season it with salt and pepper, you shouldn't do this when cooking it for your pup. This could give your dog an upset stomach. So, if you’re cooking it for your dinner and making extra for them, make sure to cook it separately. 

Once ready, cut it up into small pieces. Never feed them a whole stalk of asparagus. You could then mix it in with their meal, making sure to include protein too. 

Asparagus should only be fed in moderation. Add it to the occasional meal rather than making it a regular part of their diet. 

You don’t want to feed too much asparagus to your dog. You should start off with a small amount, cut into bite-sized pieces to make sure that it doesn’t give them an upset stomach.

If your dog enjoys the taste of asparagus and doesn't have any issues after eating it, then you can feed them a little bit more. But one stalk should be more than enough. 

You’ll only want to feed your pet food that’s going to be beneficial to their health — and that they enjoy the taste of, of course. Check out our friends over at Dog Food Advisor for advice including the best fresh dog food and the best natural dog food.