Collard Greens Are Good For Your Dog
Many dog owners know that eating leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale is good for humans, but what about collard greens? Do dogs benefit from eating this green too?
Fact: Yes. Dogs can eat them and they should! These veggies are full of fiber and vitamins so give your pooch a treat and let him snack on some collard greens.
What are Collard Greens?
Collard greens are actually a form of cabbage, but they have a much heartier flavor. These leafy vegetables have thick green stems with dark green, crinkly leaves. They are related to kale and mustard greens and cook up much as spinach or chard would.
How Can I Serve Collard Greens To My Dog?
You can serve this nutritious vegetable one of three ways: cooked, chopped raw, or juiced. Any way you choose is completely fine as long as the collard greens haven’t been treated with any fertilizers or pesticides. If you’d prefer to prepare the veggies yourself at home, simply wash them thoroughly before cutting the stem and chopping up the leaves.
Collard greens are extremely mild in flavor so they work well with just about any meal or snack! You can cook them alongside another vegetable or mix them into your pup’s kibble. They also go well with meat and other leafy greens, so there isn’t much you can’t do with them. Don’t forget to chop up the leaves so your dog can benefit from the full nutrients!
If you want to serve your pup his veggies raw, simply wash and chop them as usual and let him munch away at them. If you’d like, soak the chopped collard greens in water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or plain yogurt to help kill any bacteria on the leaves.
What Are The Benefits Of Giving My Dog Collard Greens?
As mentioned before, these leafy greens are full of fiber and vitamins, so they help aid in your dog’s digestion. They’re also low in fat and calories, so feeding them to your pup won’t cause any weight gain.
Collard greens also provide your pup with a healthy dose of glucosinolates, a type of phytochemical that has been linked to cancer prevention. In fact, these vegetables contain more glucosinolates than almost any other leafy green!
How Much Collard Greens Can I Give My Dog?
For the most part, your dog can eat as many collard greens as he wants. The only time you may want to hold off is if he’s on medication for low potassium levels. Green veggies are rich in potassium, so they can cause toxicity when taken with certain medications.
As long as your dog isn’t on any medications that inhibit his appetite or cause upset stomachs, you can feel free to serve him his veggies however you’d like. Just make sure to keep an eye out for any signs of diarrhea or constipation. If your pup does experience these symptoms after eating collard greens, stop giving them to him immediately and try cutting them out of his diet completely.
Summary Collard greens are filled with fiber, vitamins, and nutrients that help your dog stay healthy. You can serve them to your pup cooked, raw, or juiced and he’ll love the flavor! Just make sure to monitor his intake if you’re giving him medications that might interact with these veggies.