I absolutely love spinach and eat it almost every day, especially, since I started making smoothies with my Vitamix. If you feed your Pug human food, we’re going to look at this leafy green to determine if it’s safe for your pooch.
Can Pugs Eat Spinach
If you’re a Pug owner, you may be wondering “can my Pug eat spinach?” The answer is yes, but you need to feed them in moderation, as this veggie is very high in oxalic acid, which can cause kidney damage.
Don’t worry, we’ll be going over everything you need to know about feeding your dog spinach. Here’s a huge list of vegetables Pugs can eat.
Related: Fresh Cooked Dog Food For Pugs
Is Spinach Safe For Pugs
Yes, as long as you feed them in moderation. Always monitor them to make sure that they don’t have any negative reaction to this veggie.
Every dog is different and may have certain reactions when fed certain human foods.
Always wash it thoroughly before feeding your pooch, as the downside to spinach, is that it can be a contaminated vegetable (due to pesticides) that can be toxic to your pooch.
Is Spinach Good For Pugs?
You already know that spinach is a powerhouse veggie and is very healthy for humans. It contains tons of nutritional values that are off the charts.
Spinach contains vitamins A, B, C & K as well as fiber, iron, calcium, manganese, and folate at high levels that make it such a healthy veggie.
Like humans, canines can benefit from consuming it. Just remember, dogs will get the most nutrients when the veggies are uncooked.
The Health Benefits Of Spinach To Your Dog
There are tons of benefits to feeding your Pug small amounts of spinach to ignore. That being said, let’s take a look at some of the benefits.
While the benefits of spinach will not affect your dog the same will it will benefit you and I. However, it can help maintain their well-being and the following is just a small list of health benefits they will receive.
Vitamin A: Will help improve your dog’s coat, skin, and fur. It has also been known to help prevent blindness and retardation.
Vitamin B Complex: Made up of B1, B2, B5, and B12. The combination of these vitamins can help prevent hair loss, loss of nerve control, and prevent loss of appetite.
Vitamin C: This is an important antioxidant that helps prevent inflammation and cognitive aging in dogs.
Fiber: Spinach is a great source of dietary fiber, that can help with your dog’s digestive system and aid in their bowel movements. This is great, especially, for dogs that have small bouts of constipation.
Protein: While it doesn’t have as much protein as chicken or ground beef, it does provide a substantial amount. Protein is vital for the process of cell production.
Iron: Enhances the circulation of blood and aids in preventing anemia.
What About Oxalates
Many people think that giving dogs spinach can cause kidney damage, because of the oxalates in spinach. The truth is that your dog would have to consume nearly his weight to actually be affected.
What Is It?
Oxalic acid is an organic compound that can be found in many types of plants, such as vegetables, cocoa, leafy greens, seeds, and nuts.
When consumed, oxalate binds with minerals, which forms compounds such as iron oxalate and calcium oxalate.
This transformation usually occurs in the colon, kidneys, or other parts of the urinary tract.
People that are sensitive to high-oxalate diets can suffer from kidney stones and other health issues.
For dogs that eat too much spinach (think pounds at a time) can suffer from kidney damage.
Fun Spinach Facts
Spinach grows best in the cool season and belongs to the goosefoot family, such as the beets and Swiss chard.
You receive most of the nutrients when it is eaten fresh and each day it sits in your refrigerator, it loses some of its nutritional properties.
Although refrigeration slows down the deterioration process, half of the nutrients are lost eight days after being harvested.
There are several types of spinach, but they fall into three categories which are; Flat/Smooth, Semi-savoy, and Savoy (dark green curly leaves, most commonly found in supermarkets.)
Nutritional
One cup of raw spinach contains the following:
- Folate: 58 micrograms
- Vitamin A: 2,813 IU (international units)
- Calories: 7
- Protein: 0.86 grams
- Iron: 0.81 grams
- Potassium: 167 magnesium
- Calcium: 30 milligrams
- Magnesium: 24 milligrams
Digestive Problems Can Be Common
Most dogs will be fine eating small amounts of spinach. If fed too much, the oxalates can block the body’s ability to absorb calcium and can lead to kidney damage.
Long term effects of eating too much spinach can also cause damage such as abnormal heart rhythms, respiratory paralysis, kidney stress, and muscle weakness.
Too much of any type of fruit or vegetable is never good for your doggie’s tummy. Consuming too much in one sitting can lead to diarrhea, vomiting and tummy aches.
How Much Spinach Can A Pug Have Daily?
The primary concern for pet owners is the presence of oxalates. The oxalate problem can be avoided by limiting the spinach intake.
While there is no exact limit as to how much spinach you can feed your pooch. The best thing to do is to avoid giving it to them every day.
Instead, give it to your dog one day, and then skip a day or two before feeding them the veggie again.
Consult your veterinarian to find out what they say about how often to feed your pooch spinach.
Different Ways Pugs Can Eat Spinach
Raw
Raw spinach is the best way to ensure your pooch receives all the nutrients from this leafy green. The downside is that your dog may experience an upset stomach when eating raw spinach.
Their stomachs can not digest raw spinach as we can.
Cooked
It is much easier on your dog’s tummy. The downside is that the cooking process does remove some of the vegetable nutrients.
Your dog will have an easier time eating and digesting the plant. Avoid adding any ingredients such as garlic, salt, or onions.
How To Feed Spinach To Pugs
If you try hand feeding your pooch some spinach, they may not want to eat it. I’ve put together some suggestions to help you feed your pooch spinach.
- Opt for the organic spinach from your superstore so you won’t have to worry about pesticides.
- Wash thoroughly to remove dirt or any pesticides (if using non-organic).
- Sir-fry, steam, or juice the spinach to make it edible for your pooch.
- Boiling the spinach will cause it to lose more of the nutrients.
- Most likely your Pug won’t eat spinach by itself, so you’ll want to try mixing it in their regular dog food.
- Always chop the leaves into small manageable bite-sized pieces.
- Limit your dog’s portion sizes, as too much can lead to health problems you don’t need.
Alternative To Spinach For Pugs
If your Pug doesn’t have any sensitive tummy issues, and they love eating veggies.
Here’s a list of some other ones that are safe for dogs:
- Broccoli: (Yes Pugs can eat broccoli)
- Celery: (Celery is safe for Pugs)
- Carrots (carrots are safe for dogs)
- Brussel Sprouts
Final Word On Feeding Pugs Spinach
Spinach has several benefits for both you and your four-legged friend. There’s absolutely no reason NOT to make this veggie an occasional treat for your pooch.
Always remember, moderation is the key to a healthy well-balanced diet for your pooch!
References and Further Reading
PubMed – Brogran M, Savage GP – Bioavailability Of Soluble Oxalate From Spinach Eaten With and Without Milk Products
Healthline – Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE – Oxalate (Oxalic Acid): Good or Bad