Which Vegetables Cause Gas in Dogs?
Gas isn’t fun for anyone, and there are some veggies that will cause lots of gas in canines. You might not know exactly which vegetables cause painful gas for your dog until they try it, but the following are known for it:
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
How to Prepare Vegetables for Dogs
Again, you can’t just plop down a salad in front of Luna and call it a day! “Dogs have a shorter digestive tract than their human counterparts, so they have less time to break down raw foods,” says Ollie’s Meadows. “Gently cooking the vegetables will make it easier for them to digest and absorb all the nutrients.”
Keep in mind, your dog may still reject a vegetable even if it’s cooked, pureed, chopped or mixed into their regular kibble. This is OK. Vegetables are meant to supplement a dog’s diet. If your dog turns their nose up at one veggie, try another! If it seems like your dog has lost interest in any food, or won’t eat a prescribed diet, consult your vet. There could be other issues going on.
Some breeds are more susceptible to upset stomachs and gastrointestinal issues than others. If you have a Great Dane, an Akita or a Doberman, you may run into more issues with digesting new foods. Plus, larger breeds are more likely to develop bloat, a condition that could be worsened by introducing cruciferous vegetables into their diets.
Follow these preparation guidelines when feeding your dog vegetables:
Introduce it slowly
“When adding new foods to your dog's diet, it is recommended to do so slowly,” adds Meadows. “A small amount... might be a good place to start, while keeping an eye out for any adverse reactions like gas or diarrhea. Over time, you can increase the amount, and variety, until you find the optimum level for your dog's particular tastes and digestion.”
Cut, chop or mince
Be sure to serve bite-sized, easy-to-chew vegetable pieces to your dog. Otherwise, you could be inadvertently serving your dog a choking hazard.
- Step 1: Wash vegetables
- Step 2: Remove skin, if necessary, with a veggie peeler
- Step 3: Cut into bite-sized pieces
- Step 4: Sprinkle on food or use as treats
Serve plain
The ASPCA warns against slathering vegetables in spices, oils, sauces or anything else you think will make it “taste better” to your dog. Humans might need seasoning to down a head of broccoli, but dogs do not. Even sauteeing veggies in butter or adding salt can ruin the nutritional value of a vegetable and even cause harm to your pup.
Steam
Steaming vegetables, without submerging them completely in water, softens them and makes them easier for your dog to chew, swallow and digest. It also preserves most of the nutrients, as long as you don’t overcook. Steaming also makes it easier to mix vegetables into familiar foods.
- Step 1: Boil a few inches of water in a pan on the stove
- Step 2: Place a steamer basket into the pan
- Step 3: Add vegetables into steamer basket
- Step 4: Cover and reduce heat to low
- Step 5: Remove vegetables once they are tender (test tenderness by poking with a fork)
- Step 6: Let cool completely before chopping into bite-sized pieces and feeding to your dog
Blanch
Not only does blanching clean vegetables, but it also enhances flavor and makes it easier for dogs to chew the food. Unlike steaming, blanching includes tossing the vegetables directly into the boiling water.
- Step 1: Boil several cups of water in a pan on the stove (enough to cover the vegetables completely)
- Step 2: Add vegetables to boiling water
- Step 3: Cook in boiling water for one to five minutes, or until the vegetables brighten in color
- Step 4: Prepare a large bowl of cold ice water
- Step 5: Turn off heat and move vegetables from boiling water to ice water with a slotted spoon
- Step 6: Let cool completely before chopping into bite-sized pieces and feeding to your dog
Puree
A pureed vegetable is super easy on a dog’s digestive tract. Especially if softened with steaming before pureeing, tough veggies like pumpkin, carrot and cauliflower will be more palatable to your pup. This is also an excellent way to combine several veggies 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 in one smooth dish.
- Step 1: Boil a few inches of water in a pan on the stove
- Step 2: Place a steamer basket into the pan
- Step 3: Add vegetables into steamer basket
- Step 4: Cover and reduce heat to low
- Step 5: Remove vegetables once they are slightly tender, not mushy
- Step 6: Place in blender or food processor and puree
Summary
Vegetables should always be added to an already healthy, balanced dog diet. Yes, there are many veggies that offer minerals and vitamins that can help your canine pal stay healthier longer, but even the ones with the highest nutritional values should be given in moderation. And always watch your dog closely the first time they try something new to make sure they are chewing, swallowing and processing it well.
Dead set on getting more veggies into your dog’s diet? Ordering thoughtful and vet-designed recipes through a premium, human-grade dog food service like Ollie or The Farmer’s Dog can make feeding your dog vegetables a whole lot 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 ensure she’s getting the best diet possible. Plus, they take the guesswork out of preparing the correct ratio of protein to plant.
