Can Dogs Eat Asparagus (Raw, Cooked & Frozen)?

Asparagus is a spring vegetable that can be grown in your backyard. In addition to being delicious, this plant may have some health benefits for you and your pup.

However, keep in mind that these are not proven benefits from clinical studies on dogs, but rather anecdotal evidence from pet owners who say their dogs enjoy the taste of asparagus and seem healthier after eating it.

This blog post will go over why asparagus may be healthy for both you and your dog, what to look out for when giving it to them, and how much they should eat if given.

Can Dogs Have Asparagus?

In general, it is safe for your dog to eat asparagus. This vegetable is nutritious and does not contain any substances that would pose a health risk.

It is best to feed the asparagus in chopped increments because it can be toxic if eaten in large amounts.

As with all foods, don’t feed your pup more than a couple of bites at a time and give him plenty of water during the day along with his regular food rations.

Always be sure you wash them thoroughly before preparing or eating them yourself to prevent accidental poisoning yourself or any pet in the house that might get into them while cooking.

Is Asparagus Good or Bad for Dogs?

Is asparagus poisonous to dogs? No, asparagus is not poisonous to dogs.

In fact, asparagus is good for dogs because it contains a rich concentration of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin K, potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese, and copper which is a valuable source of nutrition for aging dogs.

Eschew canned asparagus with sauce- you know that stuff is just processed low-quality meat full of preservatives? Always go fresh or frozen with snap peas.

Occasionally allow your dog to have asparagus but always make sure you cook them first before giving them to your canine friends!

Cooked asparagus is better than raw ones because cooking will actually kill any harmful bacteria from the plant.

Preparing Asparagus for Dogs

What is the best way to prepare asparagus for dogs? Well the procedure to follow is:

1. Fill a medium saucepan with water approximately two inches deep.
2. Put enough salt in the water to make it salty tasting, not too salty.
3. Add about 1 Tbsp of white vinegar for each quart of cooking liquid to help keep vegetables crisp.
4. Drain asparagus and cut it into 3-inch long pieces that are 2 inches thick at their widest points.
5. Rinse asparagus thoroughly under cool running water.
6. Place the asparagus in a pan with enough cold water to cover them by an inch or so and bring it quickly to a boil over high heat.
7. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let simmer gently for three to four minutes or until just barely tender.
8. Serve it to the dog after cooling.

FAQs on Asparagus for Dogs

Can dogs eat raw asparagus?

Yes, dogs can eat raw asparagus. However, it can be rough on their stomachs and may not be the best food choice for them.

Asparagus is a good source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals like potassium and magnesium.

So while it’s not toxic to dogs and does provide some nutritional benefits, it may not be the healthiest option for them. It’s always best to consult with a veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.

Can dogs eat cooked asparagus?

Yes, dogs can eat cooked asparagus. Asparagus is a low-calorie, low carbohydrate vegetable that is high in fiber and Vitamin C.

It is a good source of minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Asparagus is also a natural diuretic, which means it helps rid the body of excess fluid.

Cooked asparagus makes a healthy addition to your dog’s diet and can help improve their digestion and overall health.

Asparagus for dogs with kidney disease

Asparagus does seem to be good for dogs’ kidneys. It’s full of lots of vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, folate (B9), potassium.

The amino acids it contains help the kidney clean out the toxins in our bodies, but it also supports liver health. Plus, asparagus is one of the few vegetables that give your dog important sources of fiber too!

Asparagus will simply support your dog’s kidneys with help for detoxification, which means they will work more efficiently to filter out waste materials that could potentially destroy them over time.

This natural food is also full of healthy doses of nutrients like potassium and folic acid which can aid recovery time without resorting to prescribed drugs or surgery.

Asparagus for dogs with cancer

There is a fair amount of anecdotal evidence suggesting that asparagus has anti-angiogenic properties and, thus, might potentially have benefits for dog cancer therapy.

However, the only study I’m aware of done with dogs was a small feasibility study looking at the tolerability and bioavailability of asparagus in 10 healthy canines.

Though one would need more data to be confident in those benefits claims, as they’re purely anecdotal (and likely stemming from natural chemo treatments such as IV vitamin C), many people do give this plant to their dogs without any reported problems.

READ MORE: Can dogs eat arugula?