I’m always looking for healthy snacks for my dog, but I also know that not every healthy food for humans is safe for our pets. If you’re the same, you might be looking at your salad and wondering if dogs can eat arugula.
Healthy dogs can eat arugula as a healthy, hydrating, low-calorie treat. It doesn’t provide many nutrients, but this is fine as long as they get adequate amounts from their regular dog food. Dogs with thyroid problems or iodine deficiency should not eat raw arugula.
Many dogs won’t like arugula, but it’s worth a try if you want to share a piece!
In this article, we’ll discuss whether arugula is good for dogs, whether your dog will even eat it, and more!
Is Arugula Good for Dogs?
Arugula is fine for most dogs, but it’s not very nutrient-dense. Arugula is 90% water, so while it doesn’t provide much nutritional value, it can help hydrate your dog.
If your dog likes arugula, it can be a great summertime snack. Large amounts might give your dog diarrhea due to the water content, but it shouldn’t hurt them otherwise.
If your dog has thyroid disease or iodine deficiency, avoid feeding them arugula, as it can disrupt their ability to produce thyroid hormones. There is no evidence that eating arugula in moderation hurts the thyroid function of healthy dogs.
Do Dogs Like Arugula?
Some dogs love their veggies, while others are like stubborn children! In my experience, your dog is most likely to eat arugula if they aren’t used to receiving a variety of treats.
Dogs with more options tend to be pickier and might not eat arugula as readily. Of course, every dog has unique tastes, so some dogs might love arugula while others refuse to touch it.
Benefits of Arugula for Dogs
While arugula is mostly water, it also contains lots of vitamins and nutrients! These include vitamins B, C, and K, potassium, iron, calcium, and more.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Arugula?
Dogs can eat cooked arugula, but it’s best that it’s cooked without seasonings, salt, or oils. If the arugula is cooked into a dish, be sure to check all ingredients before feeding it to your pup.
Also, be sure that the cooked arugula doesn’t contain toxic spices.
Cooked arugula may be healthier for dogs, especially those with iodine deficiency or thyroid disease. This is because uncooked arugula contains goitrogens, which can hinder thyroid function in dogs with pre-existing conditions. The cooking process removes goitrogens from the arugula, making it safe for dogs with these health problems.
Up Next:
- Can Dogs Eat Parsley? Is it A Superfood?
- Can Dogs Eat Cilantro Or Not? What Science Says
- Can Dogs Eat Mint? What Are The Risks
The photo featured at the top of this post is © nld/Shutterstock.com
Ready to discover the top 10 cutest dog breeds in the entire world?
How about the fastest dogs, the largest dogs and those that are -- quite frankly -- just the kindest dogs on the planet? Each day, AZ Animals sends out lists just like this to our thousands of email subscribers. And the best part? It's FREE. Join today by entering your email below.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.