Can Dogs Eat Eggplant? (Yes: Risks And Benefits)

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Can a dog eat eggplant?  Also called Aubergine, Guinea Squash, Melongene, or Garden Egg, Eggplant is a purple, egg-shaped vegetable that’s high in essential vitamins and minerals. It’s related to plants in the nightshade family and is a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, folate, and copper.

This vegetable is loved by many and included in a wide range of recipes. However, is it good for dogs? Can Dogs Eat Eggplant? Read on to find out:

 

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Is Eggplant Safe for Dogs?

YES it is! This low-calorie vegetable is a healthy treat for dogs. Incorporating eggplant into your dog’s diet boosts the mineral and vitamin content in the meal and increases appetite for canines that are choosy when it comes to eating.  Always consult a veterinarian before making any change to your dog’s diet.

However, you should exercise moderation when feeding this veggie to your furry buddy. Start with small amounts of eggplant and monitor its reaction. If it seems to enjoy the treat, you can increase the serving, depending on your dog’s size.  See also:  Can dogs eat jicama?

 

Feeding Eggplant to Your Dog

Yes, dogs can eat eggplant

It’s highly recommended to feed your dog with only cooked eggplant. That’s because the cooking process eliminates harmful components that may be present in the raw vegetable. Raw eggplant has an unpleasant taste and may upset your pet’s tummy.

Although dogs can eat the uncooked fruit, some dogs may develop stomachaches or allergic reactions. Besides, you should not add seasonings that are not suitable for dogs to the cooked eggplant. Some seasonings are considered toxic and can cause harm to your dog.

Other ways you can prepare this vegetable are boiling, baking, and grilling. However, you should avoid too much frying even if your furry friend enjoys the taste. That’s because fried eggplant contains high amounts of fat, which may be unhealthy.

 

Risks of Eggplant to Your Dog

Anytime you introduce a new food to your dog’s diet, it’s always smart to monitor how your canine friend responds. If it’s difficult to determine the reactions by yourself, you can visit your vet, who will conduct tests on your dog and give you answers.

Eggplant is neither toxic nor unsafe for dogs, and there’s a high likelihood that your pooch won’t develop any side effects when you start feeding it with this vegetable. However, if it gets sick, it could probably be allergic, and you need to exclude eggplant from its diet ASAP.

Here are signs and symptoms your little pal is allergic to eggplants:

  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Itchiness
  • Facial swelling
  • Painful/sore stomach
  • Reduced physical activity

If your dog has had allergic reactions in the past, you should be very cautious when feeding it with Eggplants or any other food from the nightshade family. You should also avoid feeding eggplant to your dog if it’s suffering from kidney problems or arthritis. Otherwise, their condition may worsen.

 

Health Benefits of Eggplant for Dogs

Should Dogs Eat eggplant

Eggplant offers a number of health benefits, starting from the fact that it’s rich in dietary fiber, which is essential for healthy digestive track. It’s also low in calories, which is vital for dogs on diets because they’ll feel full, without overeating. And that’s not all, here are more health benefits of eggplant for dogs:

 

Protects Against Diseases

Eggplant contains Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, fiber, potassium, fiber, and phytonutrient that help to protect your dog against heart disease. The vegetable also contains anthocyanins, which, if taken continuously, helps to lower blood pressure.

The high concentration of chlorogenic acid in eggplant has been proven to prevent viral infections, harmful bacteria, cancer, and bad cholesterol levels.

An anthocyanin phytonutrient called nasunin found in the fruit is also believed to enhance your dog’s brain function and protect it against brain damage.

 

Helps Reduce Weight

The low quantities of calories in eggplant makes it an ideal food for your dog if you want to prevent weight gain or if they’re overweight and want to shed a couple of pounds.

 

Improves Blood Circulation

Eggplant can improve blood circulation and boost heart health in dogs, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Boosts Digestion

The dietary fiber in eggplant plays a vital role in the proper functioning of your dog’s digestive tract. It helps with indigestion, prevent or relieve constipation, and provide other health benefits such as lowering the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer in dogs.

 

Bottom Line:  Can Dogs Eat Eggplant

Even with all the health benefits of Eggplants, you should include this vegetable occasionally in your dog’s diet to supply it with the much-needed vitamins and minerals. Eggplant can’t provide the protein that your pooch needs to thrive and shouldn’t thus replace your dog’s diet.  Can dogs eat eggplant?  Give it sparingly, and consult your vet first.

See also:  Can dogs eat butternut squash.

Jason
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