Can Dogs Eat Bok Choy? Vet Approved Benefits & Facts
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Bok choy is a common ingredient in Asian cuisine. A member of the cabbage family, bok choy has dark green leaves packed with nutrition.
But can dogs eat bok choy? Yes, dogs can eat bok choy in small quantities, and it actually offers some health benefits.
What Is Bok Choy?
Bok choy is a type of Chinese cabbage with thick green leaves and thick white stalks. It’s related to broccoli rabe, napa cabbage, turnips, and tatsoi. There are two varieties commonly found in America: regular bok choy and Shanghai bok choy, which has smooth, oval leaves and a light green color.
Both varieties of Bok choy are high in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants and fiber, without a high amount of fat or calories.
Benefits of Bok Choy for Dogs
Bok choy offers a nutritious snack that can support your dog’s vision, heart, digestion, bone health, and immune system.
With its high quantity of vitamin A, bok choy is good for your dog’s eyes and vision. It also contains, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin K, all of which are important micronutrients.
Bok choy contains a lot of fiber to support healthy digestion, but keep in mind that too much fiber can lead to digestive discomfort and gas.
How to Feed Bok Choy to Your Dog
Here’s how you can prepare bok choy safely for your dog:
- Wash the leaves to remove any dirt or residue that can harm your dog.
- Remove the white stalk, which doesn’t offer any benefits for your dog. Reserve it for later use in your own cooking.
- Serve the bok choy raw, free of seasonings or oils that can upset your dog’s stomach. If you want to cook bok choy for your dog, steam it.
- Cut into small pieces to make swallowing easier. Feed small bits at a time to introduce them to your dog or add them to your dog’s normal food.
Although bok choy offers health benefits, your dog needs a complete and balanced diet based on high-quality proteins. It’s important to offer bok choy only in small quantities to avoid upsetting your dog’s digestive system or disrupting its diet.
Can Dogs Eat Baby Bok Choy?
Yes, baby bok choy is also safe for your dogs. The same precautions apply, however, so be sure to prepare baby bok choy properly—raw, without oil or seasonings—and feed in limited quantities.
Can Dogs Have Adverse Reactions to Bok Choy?
Bok choy is unlikely to cause a problem for your dog, but it’s best to introduce it slowly and in small quantities. If you’re unsure about feeding bok choy—or any other vegetable—to your dog, speak with your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Bok choy is a nutritious green vegetable that’s common in Asian cuisine, but it can also be a healthy snack for your dog. It’s important to take precautions when feeding bok choy to your dog and offer it only as part of a complete and balanced diet that is high in good-quality animal proteins.
Featured Photo Credit: Cup of Couple, Pexels
