Which Vegetables Cause Gas in Dogs?
Gas is not fun for anyone, and there are some vegetables that will cause a lot of gas in canines. You may not know which vegetables cause painful gas for your dog until they try it, but the following are known for it:
- cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
How to Prepare Vegetables for Dogs
Again, you can’t just cook a salad in front of Luna and call it a day! “Dogs have shorter digestive tracts than their human counterparts, so they have less time to break down raw foods,” says Ollie’s Meadows. “Gently cooking vegetables will make it easier for them to digest and absorb all the nutrients.”
Remember, your dog can still reject a vegetable even if it is cooked, pureed, chopped or mixed with their regular kibble. It is OK. Vegetables are meant to supplement a dog’s diet. If your dog turns their nose up at one vegetable, try another! If your dog seems to have lost interest in any food, or won’t eat a prescribed diet, consult your veterinarian. There may be other issues going on.
Some breeds are more prone to stomach ailments and gastrointestinal issues than others. If you have a Great Dane, Akita or Doberman, you may have more issues digesting new foods. Plus, larger breeds are more likely to develop bloat, a condition that can be worsened by including cruciferous vegetables in their diets.
Follow these preparation guidelines when feeding vegetables to your dog:
Introduce it slowly
“When adding new foods to your dog’s diet, it is recommended to do so slowly,” adds Meadows. “A small amount… can be a good place to start, while watching for any adverse reactions like gas or diarrhea. Over time, you can increase the amount, and variety, until you find the optimum for your dog’s particular taste and digestion.”
Cut, chop or chop
Be sure to serve bite-sized pieces of vegetables that are easy for your dog to chew. Otherwise, you may inadvertently present your dog with a choking hazard.
- Step 1: Wash the vegetables
- Step 2: Remove the skin, if necessary, using a veggie peeler
- Step 3: Cut into bite-sized pieces
- Step 4: Sprinkle on food or use as treats
Serve simply
The ASPCA warns against slathering vegetables in spices, oils, sauces or anything else you think will make them “taste better” to your dog. People may need seasoning to down a head of broccoli, but dogs don’t. Even sauteing vegetables in butter or adding salt can destroy the nutritional value of a vegetable and cause harm to your puppy.
Steam
Steaming vegetables, without completely submerging them in water, softens them and makes them easier for your dog to chew, swallow and digest. It also retains most of the nutrients, as long as you don’t overcook. Steaming also makes it easier to mix vegetables into familiar dishes.
- Step 1: Boil a few inches of water in a pan on the stove
- Step 2: Place a steamer basket in the pan
- Step 3: Add vegetables to steamer basket
- Step 4: Cover and reduce heat to low
- Step 5: Remove vegetables when tender (test for tenderness by poking a fork)
- Step 6: Allow to cool completely before cutting into bite-sized pieces and feeding to your dog
Blanch
Not only does bleaching clean vegetables, but it also enhances the flavor and makes it easier for dogs to chew the food. Unlike steaming, blanching involves throwing vegetables directly into boiling water.
- Step 1: Boil a few cups of water in a pan on the stove (enough to completely cover the vegetables)
- Step 2: Add vegetables to boiling water
- Step 3: Cook in boiling water for one to five minutes, or until the vegetables lighten in color
- Step 4: Prepare a large bowl of ice cold water
- Step 5: Turn off the heat and transfer the vegetables from the boiling water to the ice water with a slotted spoon
- Step 6: Allow to cool completely before cutting into bite-sized pieces and feeding to your dog
Puree
A pureed vegetable is very easy on a dog’s digestive tract. Especially if softened by steaming before juicing, hard vegetables like squash, carrots and cauliflower will taste better to your pup. It’s also a great way to combine several vegetables into one meal—especially if you want to trick your dog into eating bell peppers (for the vitamin C) but they prefer pumpkin. Combine the two into a smooth dish.
- Step 1: Boil a few inches of water in a pan on the stove
- Step 2: Place a steamer basket in the pan
- Step 3: Add vegetables to steamer basket
- Step 4: Cover and reduce heat to low
- Step 5: Remove the vegetables when they are slightly soft, not mushy
- Step 6: Place in a blender or food processor and puree
Summary
Vegetables should always be added to a healthy, balanced dog’s diet. Yes, there are many vegetables that offer minerals and vitamins that can help your canine pal stay healthy longer, but even those with the highest nutritional value should be given in moderation. And always keep a close eye on your dog the first time they try something new to make sure they are chewing, swallowing and processing it properly.
Dead set on getting more vegetables into your dog’s diet? Ordering thoughtful, vet-designed recipes through a premium, human-grade dog food service like Ollie or The Farmer’s Dog can make feeding your dog vegetables even easier. These companies use science and veterinary expertise to determine the best diet for your dog. They take into account your pet’s breed, activity level, age and more to make sure he’s getting the best diet possible. Plus, they take the guesswork out of preparing the right plant protein ratio.
