Joanna Wilson
Arugula is the go-to leafy green for a summer salad because it adds a delicious peppery flavor that most of us enjoy. Is arugula, however, safe for dogs? Is arugula safe for dogs to eat?
Yes! Arugula is absolutely fine for dogs to consume in moderation – assuming they like it. Arugula is high in vitamins and minerals that can help your dog’s diet. It’s also non-toxic, so little amounts won’t harm your dog’s health. We’ll look at the potential health benefits of arugula for your dog in this article, as well as the potential health dangers to be aware of.
Arugula, sometimes known as “rocket,” is a peppery, leafy green that can be found in salads, pasta, and pizzas. Arugula is a Mediterranean plant that is frequently utilized in local cuisine. It was initially used as a medicinal plant and aphrodisiac, but it is now widely utilized in a variety of dishes, particularly in Italian cuisine. It shares a family with cabbage and mustard, which explains its spicy flavor!
The leaves have a dark green tint with notches going up both sides, and some are big and spherical while others are thinner and sharper. It’s usually served raw in salads or pasta, although it can also be cooked. It’s widely available, simple to grow, and cheap.
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Potential health benefits of arugula for dogs
While arugula is not a necessary part of a dog’s diet, it can be beneficial to their health when consumed in moderation. This leafy green herb is high in vitamins A and K, which can aid vision, as well as calcium and potassium, which are important for bone health.
Arugula is also low in calories and fat, so it’s a great low-calorie treat for your dog. Arugula, like any other leafy green vegetable like kale or spinach, contains a lot of chlorophyll, which helps your dog’s digestion and bad breath, as well as improving their immune system.
While the research is still in its early stages and results aren’t yet clear, early signs suggest that phytochemicals found in herbs like arugula may help reduce the onset of cancer in people and may have the similar effect on your dog.
Are there any potential health concerns?
When it comes to human meals, moderation is vital, and arugula is no exception. Always introduce new foods slowly over a few weeks, and keep an eye out for any adverse responses. Arugula has a few issues to be cautious of when used in higher quantities, including the following.
- Oxalic acid: While arugula is not as high in oxalic acid as its leafy-green cousins, kale and spinach, it is still present in moderate amounts. Oxalic acid binds with essential minerals and may prevent your dog’s body from properly absorbing them. Cooking or steaming arugula mostly mitigates this effect, though.
- A goitrogen is a compound that suppresses your dog’s thyroid gland; in large amounts, it may affect the uptake of iodine, an essential part of a healthy thyroid. These compounds are found in almost all cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, kale, and arugula.
If you feed your dog very small amounts of arugula and make sure to lightly boil the herb beforehand, you won’t have to worry about these potential health risks.
How to prepare arugula for dogs?
Arugula has a spicy, peppery flavor that your dog will almost certainly hate. Cooking and combining with other tasty items significantly reduces the peppery flavor. Any cruciferous veggies should be lightly boiled before eating, as this reduces the amount of goitrogens in the vegetables and makes them safer to ingest.
To hide the flavor, we recommend just cutting it up and adding it to their existing diet or adding it to lean meats or canned food.
If your dog doesn’t like the taste of arugula, there are various alternative leafy greens to try that have similar health advantages. These are some of them:
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Cucumber
- Brussel sprouts
- Green Beans
Conclusion
Arugula is a reduced herb that can provide significant health benefits to your dog. It’s non-toxic, readily available, and easy to prepare, making it an excellent supplement to your dog’s normal diet. Because it has a strong, peppery flavor that some dogs may not like, you may need to hide it in more appealing food. Finally, boil or steam it before feeding it to your dog, as this will greatly reduce any potential negative effects.
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