If you let your dog roam around your kitchen, there is a great chance that eggplants are among the vegetables that your dog will keep an eye on. Considering this, it is necessary that you know whether they are good or bad for them. It is your responsibility to watch what them nibble on, as you never know what could trigger an allergic reaction or other health issues.
Is Your Dog’s Safety Guaranteed If He Eats Eggplant?
Your dog’s safety should always be your main priority and feeding them something healthy is a necessity. Though it’s not every day that you will be feeding your dog eggplants, you should none the less be aware if this vegetable is safe for them or not. In addition, you should have an idea of what quantity is ok to give your pooch.
The main thing most dog owners worry about when feeding this vegetable to their pets is the possible allergic reaction that their dogs may develop after eating it. Being able to ask your veterinarian is an advantage as you’ll get a more thorough explanation and will be able to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your puppy’s health.
With regards of feeding some eggplants to puppies, dog owners are most concerned about the fact that this vegetable is included in the Nightshade class, the group of vegetables known to cause allergic reactions to them. Nightshade vegetables such as tomatoes and potatoes can be toxic to dogs and also to humans when eaten in high amounts. It is only right that you take precautions as you feed such vegetables to your pet.
If ever you try giving your pooch some eggplants, make sure that you give him small pieces and keep an eye on possible reactions. This way, you can attend to his needs immediately and take him to the vet when you see his reactions are getting worse. It is one way to prevent long-term effects on his health.
When Is It Safe for My Dog to Eat Eggplants?
Though it is okay to feed some eggplants to your dog, there are some precautionary measures that you must keep in mind. Being a responsible owner, you should know the following regarding their health:
- You must be fully aware that your dog is not allergic to eggplants.
Sometimes, dog owners are not fully aware of their dogs’ allergies and are too excited to offer them what they are eating. It is best that you ask your vet about an update on your puppy’s possible allergies.
- Your dog has no kidney problems
Given that eggplants have a high oxalate content, this can worsen any kidney problems that your dog might have.
- Your dog has no inflammation problems like arthritis
This vegetable is known to be inflammatory and feeding this especially to senior dogs with inflammation problems can worsen these issues.
If your dog is not suffering from any conditions related to the ones mentioned above, then you can feed this vegetable to him.
Possible Symptoms to Watch Out For In Case Your Dog is Allergic to Eggplants
No matter how hard you try to protect your dog from eating something he is allergic to, there are times when their curious minds get the best of them. In case your pooch accidentally ate eggplants while roaming around your kitchen and you don’t have any idea if he is allergic to them, you should watch out for the following symptoms:
- Itchiness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Rashes
These are obvious signs that your dog has eaten something that is harmful to him. If you guessed it right, he might have eaten the leftover eggplants you placed in a placed within his reach. Once you notice these issues, don’t delay in giving him proper medication and rush him to the vet. This will prevent more serious health issues from developing.
Can Dogs Eat Eggplants? If Yes, Will He Benefit from Eating It?
Just like any foods or treats, you must always consider feeding eggplants to your dog in moderation. Giving them a few pieces of eggplant will do no any harm and definitely benefit his health.
Aside from focusing on the toxic ingredients, there are also health benefits that your dog can get from occasionally eating eggplants, as they are a good source of the following:
- Fiber
- Vitamin K
- Potassium
- B Vitamins
- Different Polyphenolic Compounds
All of these can help in aiding digestion and lessen the risks of your dog getting or developing chronic diseases. Furthermore, this vegetable is low in calories making it best for them on a special diet, and is also a great source of phytonutrients that can help in the prevention of neurological dysfunction, heart disease, and cancer.
With these things said, you can easily tell that there are risks but there are also benefits. However, as responsible owners, incorporating eggplants to your dog’s diet can be a great way to absorb these nutrients straight from fresh sources.
Options For Dogs Being Able to Safely Eat Eggplants
Aside from learning the various vegetables that are good and bad for your dog, it will also help you to know how they can properly eat these vegetables. It is essential that you know how to prepare the eggplants before feeding them to your pooch. With this vegetable, there are various ways on how you can prepare it for your dog.
Before proceeding to the different ways to feed eggplants to your dog, it is necessary that you know the type of eggplants that are safe for your dog. As much as possible, feed them with organic varieties. Just like you avoid food treated with pesticides and other chemicals, it is important that you make sure that your dog’s foods are chemical-free as well.
It is true that organic varieties may cost a bit more than what’s readily available, but it is definitely worth it. Given the sensitivity of your dog’s system, ensuring that he is getting all the benefits from eggplants is worth the extra cost.
Moving on, you can prepare the eggplant for your dog in the following ways:
- Boil It
If you’re planning to make a meal with eggplants in it, you can choose to put some aside for your dog and simply boil it. Make sure that it is thoroughly cooked before feeding it to your pet.
- Grill It
Grilling a few slices is also a good option and is considered to be a safe process. You can remove the burnt parts to create a smooth texture when mixed with your dog’s food.
- Bake It
If grilling is not your thing, then you can put an eggplant in your oven and bake it until it is completely cooked.
Regardless of the process, it is necessary that you thoroughly cook the vegetable, as the taste of the raw eggplant can be a bit unpleasant for your dog. Also, when cooking, avoid adding other preservatives, spices, or other flavorings.
Aside from making sure that you aren’t giving your pet something containing harmful chemicals, it is your responsibility to prepare foods that are beneficial for their health. In addition, no matter how nutritious an eggplant is, don’t force him to eat it if he doesn’t like it. You can easily tell if he doesn’t like it if he tends to eat the rest of his food and leave the eggplants you mixed in.
How Much Eggplant Can Your Dog Eat?
Every dog has their own reaction to whatever you feed them. When feeding this vegetable to your dog and you don’t know whether they’ll like it or not, it is best that to know how much you should give him. In order to find out if your dog like the taste of eggplants, you can do the following:
- Slice up a few pieces of thoroughly cooked eggplant.
- Mix these pieces with his food or let him sniff them in your hand and check if he will eat them.
- Wait for his response and, if he likes it, you can then decide to add eggplant to his food.
After you check if your dog likes eggplants, the next thing you should do is decide on how much of them you should mix with his food. Don’t forget to check for any allergic reactions or any related symptoms after eating them, despite knowing that he likes it. This is one way to tell that your puppy mustn’t eat any eggplants in the future.
In case there is no allergic reaction, it is best that you mix a few small pieces of eggplant with his food. If you are one of those dog owners who tend to prepare your dog’s food instead of getting one of the store-bought options, try to incorporate it with meat and other nutritious items. It will make you feel fulfilled as an owner knowing that you’re feeding your pet with something that his body needs.
What About the Leaves? Can Dogs Eat Eggplant Leaves?
Most likely, you’d have the eggplant leaves scattered somewhere while cooking. Aside from asking if the vegetable is safe for dogs, asking whether the leaves are safe for them is a good thing. In case you grow eggplants in your backyard, you might want to keep him away from the area.
If there is the slightest chance that your dog might develop allergic reactions when consuming the eggplant flesh itself, then there is a higher health risk when he eats the leaves. Eggplant leaves have a higher concentration of toxic chemicals, meaning that your puppy may potentially suffer from more adverse effects in a short period of time, or even death.
Also, make sure that you throw away other parts of the vegetable that you will not be using when cooking. Keep the trash bin closed and don’t give your dog access to the parts of the vegetable that can cause him serious health issues.
With all these details mentioned, you now have an idea of your little friend’s safety when eating eggplants and how he can eat this vegetable without risking his overall health. As a dog owner, it is always advisable that you talk to your dog’s vet to be more aware of what is good and bad for your dog.
