Can Chow Chows Eat Broccoli? YES – Tip To Feed Chows Broccoli

Like human children, dogs also need to eat a healthy dose of vegetables in order to be healthy. There are many options out there but can Chow Chows eat Broccoli? 

The thing with Broccolis is that most children and some adults, even, hate green vegetables. Thankfully, dogs eat or will attempt to eat just about anything that their mouths can bite on, including Broccolis. 

In this article, we will show you some facts and a well-researched and detailed answer on whether you should give your Chow Chow a slice of Broccoli or not. 

Can Chow Chows Eat Broccoli?

Dogs, including Chow Chows, can eat broccoli. They are good to eat in both cooked and raw state as long as it’s free from seasoning or other oils.

Chow Chows came from China, specifically in an area that is now called Tibet. There, Chow Chows were sustained with a diet mainly consisting of grains and vegetables. Sometimes, soy and fish are added as supplements. 

This is the reason why Chow Chow cannot properly digest high amounts of protein and thus needs to get it from other sources, like vegetables, including Broccolis. 

However, it is best to give Broccoli to your dog as an occasional treat. This is because, while Broccoli is safe for dogs in general, its florets have isothiocyanates which can cause mild to severe gastric irritation in some dogs.

Benefits of Broccoli

So, now, what are the benefits of giving Broccolis to you Chow Chow? Well, there are a lot and it’s even rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K. Here are a a few, brief explanations to some of them: 

• Fiber – Broccoli has plenty of fiber that helps keep your dog’s digestive system healthy and allows for steady excretion of bodily waste. 

• Vitamin C – Vitamin C gives much needed boost in the immune system and also anti-inflammatory properties. While dogs produce Vitamin C naturally, that ability gradually diminishes as they age so they need to be supplemented. 

• Vitamin K – Vitamin K improves bone density and provides a number of additional benefits. Bone density equals bone strength and bone strength means that your pet will remain active for far longer than dogs with weaker bones. 

• Protein – Protein is best known for providing the necessary amounts of amino acids needed to build muscles, hair, skin, nails, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. It also plays a significant part in producing hormones. 

• Minerals – The green vegetable is rich in sodium magnesium, chromium potassium, and a host of other minerals that work together to build and strengthen your Chow Chow’s immune system and nervous system. 

• Folic Acid – Folic acid is an important mineral that assists in producing and maintaining healthy cells inside your dog’s body. This mineral is even more important to pregnant dogs so the mother can give birth to a healthy liter of puppies.

How to Prepare Broccoli for Chow Chow

Generally speaking, dogs may eat both raw and cooked broccoli. However, like us, dogs may enjoy the vegetable when it is cooked.

Broccoli is served best when it is steamed or even sauteed. Steaming the broccoli will give it softer stalks and makes it extra chewy. This reduces the chances of your Chow Chow’s risk of choking. On the other hand, sauteing the vegetable with a tiny amount of coconut or olive oil will make it a tastier and more enjoyable treat.

To prepare the vegetable, take a small portion of the vegetable and cut it up into small, bite-sized pieces and steam it for 5 minutes or aute it for 3 to 4 minutes.

Just keep in mind to keep the vegetable bland as seasonings and other food additives might cause sickness to your Chow Chow. 

Other Things to Keep in Mind

Portions

Giving too much broccoli may give your Chow Chow gastrointestinal distress. Signs and symptoms include excessive drooling, vomiting or regurgitation, diarrhea, bleeding, and loss of appetite, among many others. 

That’s why The World Small Animal Veterinary Association insists that Broccoli must compose more than 10% of your dog’s daily meals to avoid any health complications. This is because the vegie contains isothiocyanate, a kind of natural compound that can cause sickness in dogs.

Choking Hazard

Another thing to be wary of is the choking hazard that broccoli stems pose.

While edible, there are cases where broccoli stems caused obstruction in the esophagus, particularly in small dogs or Asian small dog breeds especially.

This is why the vegetable must be cut in small portions to avoid just that. Additionally, keeping a close eye on your Chow Chow will allow you to take the necessary action if that unfortunate event does happen. 

Bad Bacteria

While broccoli can be served while either cooked or raw, serving it to your dog without cooking greatly increases the chances of getting sick from bacterias that linger on the vegetable. One example of this is Salmonella, which can cause your dog to become very sick. 

Conclusion

Broccoli is a healthy vegetable that will greatly complement your dog’s diet. However, this vegetable is best given in small, manageable portions to achieve optimum effect and reduce any chance of unfortunate events from happening. 

Just remember that the vegetable can be given either cooked or raw without any seasoning or food additive.