Can Dogs Eat Eggplant? Is Eggplant Safe for Dogs?

Every dog owner knows that dogs are basically garbage disposals. They know what they want, and what they want is to eat all of the food in the house!

It’s tempting to spoil our dogs, but the truth is that some foods that we find tasty are bad for our pet pooches. Things like potatoes are bad for a dog’s diet, and chocolate can be downright deadly.

Some foods are a little less obvious, though. Eggplant is a good example. Is it safe for dogs to eat? And if so, is it actually good for them?

Keep reading to discover the full scoop on whether eggplant is safe for dogs.

Can Dogs Have Eggplant?

For most dogs, the answer to this question is yes. Eggplant itself is not poisonous, so it’s something dogs can eat raw.

However, you need to watch how you give it to your dog, especially at first. While eggplant is safe for most dogs, there are still plenty of pooches that have allergies to it (more on this in a minute).

The good news is that you will discover the answer pretty quickly and can know whether it’s safe to give them any more of this food.

Allergic Reactions to Eggplant

As we said, some dogs are allergic to eggplant. That is because it is part of the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes. Plenty of humans are allergic to tomatoes, and tomatoes are generally bad for a doggy diet. But in moderation, eggplant is safe for any dogs who are not allergic.

How can you tell if your dog is allergic to eggplant? You need to recognize the signs. If they experience rashes, itching, or an upset stomach, they may be allergic.

More serious signs include facial swelling, painful stomach, or even vomiting. If your dog experiences any of the more serious allergic symptoms, you should take them to your veterinarian right away.

Benefits of Dogs Eating Eggplant

Now you know that dogs can eat eggplant (so long as they aren’t allergic to it), the next question is: why would you want to give your dog eggplant in the first place?

The short answer is that eggplant has a number of health benefits for humans, and most of those benefits work for dogs as well. For example, the high fiber content of eggplant can actually help dogs with digestive problems.

Eggplant is also chock full of phytonutrients, and these can help dogs and humans alike ward off cancer, heart disease, and other serious issues. And if nothing else, eggplant is low enough in calories that you can give it to dogs as a treat without worrying about your pooch packing on the pounds!

Cooking and Serving Suggestions

Some dogs will eat just about anything that you put in front of them. If you have a more finicky eater on your hands, though, you may need to try some special cooking and serving tips for the eggplant.

Because raw eggplant isn’t that tasty on its own, you may want to roast it, but go light on the oil and butter for your dog’s sake. You also need to skip out on seasoning; while you may like the different flavors that seasoning brings out, most of them will be overwhelming to your dog.

Regardless of how you cook and serve eggplant, it’s always good to touch base with your veterinarian first. They may have some insight into whether your dog will be allergic and can make recommendations regarding the entirety of your dog’s diet.

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