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Can Dogs Eat Cauliflower?

Can Dogs Eat Cauliflower? Yes! – Here’s Why

Updated on July 18, 2024
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Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

Yes. Since no part of cauliflower is toxic to canines, it can make a crunchy occasional treat for your dog. Your pup may benefit from the high fiber, calcium, vitamins C and K, potassium and folate in this common garden vegetable.

Always consult your veterinarian before feeding your pet new foods. Even though it’s safe to provide cauliflower for dogs, be sure that this vegetable doesn’t make up more than 10% of your pup’s daily caloric intake. Can dogs eat raw cauliflower? You bet; just make sure to serve it in bite-sized pieces to prevent choking. Never cook cauliflower in oil or butter, and avoid seasonings when preparing it for dogs, as these can be toxic or, at the very least, cause gastrointestinal issues.

Can Puppies Eat Cauliflower?

Yes, even puppies can enjoy the addition of cauliflower to their diet. Observe the same rules about serving it plainly and in small pieces but be aware that a few extra precautionary steps may help your young pup enjoy this treat.

Since many puppies are still learning to chew properly, steaming cauliflower can help them eat and digest it more easily. You may also want to serve it in smaller pieces than you would give to an adult dog to prevent choking and promote good digestion. Try sprinkling some plainly steamed cauliflower rice on their regular food for a boost of fiber that’s easy to eat.

Are there health benefits of cauliflower for dogs?

While cauliflower is a nutritious vegetable that your dog can eat and adequately digest and is a great low calory treat option, there is no need to feed cauliflower as any commercially available dog food will meet the nutritional needs of your dog.

The health benefits of cauliflower include: 

  • It’s high in fiber, which is good for weight management, colon health and overall digestion
  • It’s high in vitamin C, which is good for the immune system and many other bodily functions
  • It’s high in vitamin K, which helps keep blood healthy
  • It’s high in calcium, which helps support strong bones and healthy internal organs
  • It’s high in folate and potassium, which are both important minerals for proper cell function and development

» MORE: Learn about fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat.

How to feed cauliflower to your dog

The wonderful thing about cauliflower is that it’s an incredibly versatile vegetable. You can steam cauliflower, mash it, bake it in the oven or even eat it raw.

There are three important things to keep in mind about dogs and cauliflower: 

  1. Dogs shouldn’t eat much cauliflower. While cauliflower can be a great low calorie treat you provide your dog in small quantities and on occasion, too much cauliflower can lead to gas, flatulence and other gastrointestinal discomforts for your dog. 
  2. Ensure the cauliflower is not cooked with other ingredients that could be harmful to your dog. Although dogs can eat cauliflower, there are lots of other ingredients commonly cooked with cauliflower that can be unhealthy and even toxic to your dog. The two most important potential ingredients to avoid are onions and garlic. Both can cause severe gastrointestinal distress and are toxic to dogs. The other more common set of ingredients to avoid would be oil, butter, salt or pepper. The oil and butter are unhealthy for your dog and would add unnecessary fat and calories to their diet. Salt and pepper can potentially dehydrate your dog and upset their stomach.
  3. Dogs don’t NEED to eat cauliflower.  Is cauliflower ok for dogs? Sure! Do dogs need to eat cauliflower? Absolutely not. Your dog can live a long healthy life without ever eating a single floret of cauliflower. Just because it’s a low calorie treat doesn’t mean you have to or should feed it to them. In fact, the healthiest diet you can give your dog is to stick to high-quality dog food as recommended by your veterinarian.
  4. Consult your veterinarian before adding new foods to your diet. Some dogs may have food sensitivities that you aren’t aware of, and it’s best to run any plans for dietary changes by your veterinarian to ensure they are safe and healthy for your pet. 

Lastly, if you do notice your dog experiencing any elements of gastrointestinal distress after eating cauliflower, monitor them closely and call your veterinarian if their condition worsens. Symptoms to look out for would include diarrhea, constipation, lethargy or loss of appetite. Also, be sure to educate yourself on proper dog nutrition. Next up: Can Dogs Eat Oranges?

FAQs about dogs and cauliflower

Cauliflower cooked in butter or oil are also high in fat and calories—two things that aren’t good for your dog’s diet.

Yes, dogs can eat broccoli and cauliflower. They are actually two different variations of the same plant. Broccoli is fine for dogs to eat in moderation. However, dogs typically don’t like broccoli as much as they like cauliflower. Test both out with your pup to see which one they prefer.

Cauliflower rice can be a great way to add cauliflower to your dog's diet. It can be served to them as a treat or sprinkled on top of their food at mealtimes. 

Yes, dogs can eat raw cauliflower. This is probably the best way to feed it to them since it ensures that you minimize any other additives, such as salt or oil, that could potentially be unhealthy for your dog.

Yes, dogs can eat cooked cauliflower. The most important consideration is to simply be mindful of anything else you cook the cauliflower with. Extra additives like oil, butter and salt can be unhealthy for your dog and lead to extra unwanted calories.  

It’s possible that your dog may have an adverse reaction to cauliflower and get sick. The most likely symptoms will be general gastrointestinal distress, including an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. There shouldn't be an extreme adverse reaction unless your dog manages to eat a large amount of cauliflower or has a unique sensitivity. If your dog does seem to be experiencing distress, monitor them closely and call your veterinarian if their condition worsens. If you notice your dog gets sick from cauliflower, discontinue feeding it to them.  

While a dog’s digestive system is more readily suited for eating meat and animal products, some vegetables have health benefits for your pup, including butternut or acorn squash, zucchini, sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, spinach, pumpkin and green beans.  

For a complete list, visit our hub of information on all things dogs can and cannot eat.

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