Pugs love eating, they’ll pretty much eat anything you put in front of them. I still remember the day that Mindy begged me when I was eating broccoli with ranch dip. It got me wondering “can Pugs eat broccoli?” I’ll share exactly what I found online as well as how to implement it into their diet.
Can Pugs Eat Broccoli?
The quick response is ‘Yes’ your pooch will be fine eating both cooked or raw broccoli. Just like any other type of human food you give your Pug, it should only make up a small portion of the calories in their daily diet.
It’s also important to note that you NEVER want to give your Pug broccoli with any seasonings or oils unless you cook with coconut oil. Read this to find out if your pooch can consume coconut oil.
We know that certain fruits and vegetables can be a powerhouse of goodness for your dogs.
Related: Pet Plate For Pugs
The downside is that if you overfeed Fido, it can cause upset stomachs and a whole host of other issues. Don’t worry, I’ll share some tips on how to add broccoli to your dog’s diet.
After all, they most likely won’t eat it if you try to feed them the stem or just put a stalk of it in front of them.
Benefits of Broccoli For Pugs
Like us, dogs need nutrients to help them live a healthy lifestyle. This is one of the main reasons you should feed your Pug high-quality dog food, instead of cheap dog food.
Before we look into the benefits of feeding your dog broccoli, let’s take a look at the nutrients you’ll find in this vegetable that is good for both you and your pup.
One Cup of Raw Broccoli (156 grams) contains:
- Omega 3 Fats – 8% DV (Daily Value)
- Vitamin B2 – 15% DV
- Vitamin B1 – 5% DV
- Vitamin A – 13% DV
- Calcium – 6% DV
- Choline – 15% DV
- Potassium – 13% DV
- Manganese – 15% DV
- Vitamin K 245% DV
- Chromium – 53% DV
- Fiber – 21% DV
- Pantothenic Acid – 19%
The best part is that one cup of raw chopped broccoli only contains 31 calories. Not that your pup really cares about their calorie intake, you should.
Strong Bones
As you can see, there are tons of powerhouse nutrients in this vegetable. The one that sticks out is Vitamin K, which is known as a super-vitamin for both humans and animals. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is necessary for your pooches overall health.
This vitamin functions similarly in dogs as it does in humans. One of the most crucial jobs it does is it works alongside calcium to help strengthen dog’s teeth and bones.
If you can’t get your dog to eat broccoli, you can also find Vitamin K in fruits like pineapples, carrots, strawberries, blueberries, apples, celery or peaches. I’m sure that you can get your Pug to eat one of those!
Broccoli Helps Battle Diseases In Dogs
Dark green vegetables are loaded with Vitamin C. This vegetable is perfect if your pet is at risk of osteoporosis or other related diseases. This is what makes it a great treat for older Pugs.
Canines produce Vitamin C naturally, unlike humans. This vitamin is essential for both humans and canines, this is why it is recommended humans get a daily dose of Vitamin C for a healthy lifestyle.
As a canine gets older, their body does not produce the vitamin as efficiently as it does on a younger dog. As your Pug ages, they become more prone to diseases and cancers, which Vitamin C can help fight off some of them.
Dogs that have liver problems will have a Vitamin K deficiency. As pet parents, we need to ensure that our pets consume the nutrients they require.
Broccoli For Healthy Dog Heart
Bananas can be a great source of potassium for your pooch. Broccoli can be another great source of potassium that can be beneficial for your pooch.
One of the biggest benefits of potassium is the ability to promote a healthy heart in both animals and humans. This electrolyte mineral has been linked to a condition called Arrhythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat.
Other powerhouse fruits and vegetables that contain potassium are avocados, tomatoes, oranges, cucumbers, and of course bananas.
Reducing Cholesterol In Dogs
Like humans as dog’s age, cholesterol can start building up in your dog’s system. Studies have shown that broccoli is able to lower cholesterol levels in both humans and dogs.
The dark green vegetable contains a high amount of soluble fiber, which helps draw out cholesterol in your pooch’s body. By giving them a few pieces of broccoli on occasion, you can help combat the slow buildup of cholesterol.
Other fruits and vegetables that contain high soluble fiber to help fight cholesterol are:
- apples
- beans
- strawberries
- pineapples
- oranges
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
As Pug ages, they will tend to have joint problems. (at least Mindy did) This is why it’s so important to make sure you buy them a comfortable bed to help with those old joints.
One of the best benefits of feeding your Pug broccoli is that it is an awesome anti-inflammatory by slowing down the damage to joints. It contains sulforaphane, which is a sulfur-rich compound that has many benefits.
One of the biggest ones is it helps block the enzymes that cause joint destruction. It has also been shown to reduce the inflammation that leads to the narrowing of the arteries, which can cause heart disease.
Hazards Of Broccoli for Dogs
As you can see, some human vegetables and fruits are good for your pup. However, just like anything good, you have to be aware of the dangers of feeding your dog too much broccoli.
By now, you know that this dark green vegetable is NOT poisonous or toxic for dogs. However, there are some risks you need to be aware of. The risks become greater if you overfeed your pooch broccoli.
Dogs should be fed no more than 5% to 10% of vegetables or fruits, the rest of their daily diet should be made up of their regular dog food.
If you’re unsure about whether or not it’s safe to feed your Pug broccoli, you should consult your veterinarian.
Symptoms Of Overfeeding Your Dog Broccoli
Extreme broccoli consumption can cause your pooch to become ill and suffer from the following symptoms:
- Gastrointestinal Irritation (also known as upset stomach)
- Diarrhea
- Pale Gums
- Disorientation
- Collapsing, seizures, coma
- Lethargic
- Sudden hyperactivity
Extreme consumption usually occurs when more than 25% of your dog’s diet consists of broccoli.
If your Pug is displaying any of these symptoms after consuming broccoli, you need to call your vet immediately.
How to Feed Your Pug Broccoli
As you can see, there are tons of reasons to feed your pooch broccoli occasionally. However, most dogs won’t eat it if you just put a stalk in their food dish.
If you’ve never fed them vegetables before, you won’t know if they like it cooked or raw. Either way, you’ll want to wash the broccoli before feeding it to your dog.
If you’re feeding it to them raw, you want to chip it into small pieces to prevent choking. If your pooch enjoys the cooked version, make sure boil or steam it.
Steaming the vegetable will keep all the nutrients. It helps soften the vegetable, which makes it easier for your dog to chew. This is great for older dogs if they don’t have really strong teeth and gums.
Remove The Broccoli Stem
You want to stick to feeding your pooch the head of the broccoli, not the stem. The stem doesn’t contain any toxins, but it does pose a choking hazard for dogs. The stem can also cause blockage in your dog’s intestinal tract.
2 Broccoli Recipes for Dogs
Now, let’s take a look at some broccoli dog recipes I found online. You can implement some of these to get your Pug to eat broccoli.
#1 Broccoli Bites: Dog Treat Recipe
The website owner has two dogs and one of them is a picky eater and still loves eating this treat. Just know that when you cook it, it doesn’t smell that good. However, you’ll be happy to know that it’s a great healthy snack for your pooch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup flour
- 2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets
- 3/4 cups cheddar cheese (cubed)
- 1 cup kefir or plain yogurt
Use a food processor to chop the cheese and broccoli into small pieces. Once you’ve finished chopping, mix the rest of the ingredients. Mix all the ingredients, until the dough is moist and sticky and can be formed into small balls.
Read this article if you want to know if Pugs can eat cheese.
Preheat your oven to 350℉ and bake for 20 minutes. Once they are done, remove from the oven and let them cool before feeding them to your pooch. Visit Paw Print Pet Blog to see the entire recipe and baking instructions.
#2 Cheesy Broccoli
The Doggy Dessert Chef has some amazing cheesy broccoli biscuits your pooch will love. They look so good, I wouldn’t be surprised a dog owner sampling them too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 (14oz) bag of frozen broccoli florets (thawed)
- 1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat. Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the treats for 10 – 15 minutes after mixing all the ingredients and kneading the dough into small balls. Visit Doggy Dessert Chef to see the entire recipe and follow the preparation directions.
Final Word On Feeding Your Pug Broccoli
If you’re feeding your Pug broccoli for the first time, make sure you observe them closely for at least 24 hours after consumption. Pay attention to their behavior and habits.
Look for changes in their stool habits and behavior. If you see anything unusual, stop giving them broccoli. If the symptoms continue, be sure to contact your vet right away.
Most dogs will be fine with small amounts of this dark green vegetable. However, you still need to pay close attention to your four-legged friend.
References and Further Reading
VeryWell Fit – Broccoli Nutrition Facts
PetMed – Metabolism and Cell Biology of Vitamin K
PubMed – Vitamin K Metabolism
HealthyLine – Sulforaphane: Benefits, Side Effects, and Food Sources