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Can Dogs Eat Zucchini?

Can Dogs Eat Zucchini?

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

Yes. Dogs can eat zucchini. Zucchini for dogs is not only safe but can also be a tasty and nutritious addition to your dog's food dish. Always consult your veterinarian before adding new foods to your dog’s diet to ensure it’s an appropriate snack for your pet.

Whether you call it a zucchini, squash or courgette—this slender green vegetable is a healthy and versatile addition to almost any dish. It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber that can be good for humans and dogs alike. 

Yet while there is generally little chance of harm in allowing your dog to enjoy zucchini, in order to keep zucchini safe for dogs, there are some important things to remember. 

 

Are There Health Benefits of Zucchini for Dogs?

Zucchini has numerous health benefits for humans and dogs. It’s low in calories, and as stated above, it’s rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. 

Zucchini can be an excellent source of fiber for dogs. Fiber is a complex carbohydrate that has numerous health benefits for humans and dogs, especially when it comes to digestion. It can help regulate water retention, aid in the uptake of nutrients and encourage the growth of helpful bacteria in the gut. For this reason, a little bit of zucchini offered to your dog as a treat or an addition to their regular food can be a great choice of snack. 

One of the best things about zucchini for dogs is that it’s a wonderful low-calorie alternative to high-calorie dog treats. Chances are your dog will find both options equally exciting, and it can help cut back on the calories in their diet.

All this said, dogs are carnivores, and they don’t generally need to eat vegetables like zucchini to get fiber in their diet. Their digestive system is best suited to animal products. Your dog will get all the nutrients they need from any high-quality veterinarian recommended dog food. And although zucchini is safe to feed your dog, it’s best to only do so in moderation—just like any additional treats and snacks on top of your dog’s usual dog food. 

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

How to Feed Zucchini to Your Dog

The best way to serve your dog zucchini is raw and cut into small pieces to make it easy for them to chew and digest. 

If you want to cook the zucchini first, it’s best to steam it or cook it plain, without any other oils, seasonings or ingredients. Additives like oil can add extra unnecessary calories to your dog’s diet. Seasonings like salt can dehydrate your dog. And other additives—like garlic and onions—can be incredibly unhealthy for your dog, potentially leading to indigestion or even more severe forms of gastrointestinal distress. 

While there are many benefits of zucchini nutrition for dogs, too much zucchini can still be harmful. A good way to gauge how much zucchini is appropriate for your dog would be to follow the 10% rule. The rule dictates that no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake should come from treats or foods outside of their regular dog food. Consult your veterinarian for help calculating how much this would be for your dog. 

Lastly, if you notice your dog experiencing any elements of gastrointestinal distress after eating zucchini, monitor them closely and call your veterinarian. Symptoms to look out for would include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, lethargy or loss of appetite. 

FAQs about dogs and zucchini 

First, it’s important to clarify what we mean by “squash.” Zucchini is a member of the squash family; other types of squash include pumpkins, cucumbers, melons and gourds.

It can be confusing because the slender green vegetable known as a zucchini can also be called a squash, summer squash or courgette. So, is squash good for dogs? In general, most varieties of squash are safe for dogs to eat, but each has its own set of precautions to keep in mind. It’s highly recommended that you research each type of squash and consult a veterinarian before feeding any of them to your dog. In most cases, however, plain zucchini, pumpkin, cucumber, gourd and melon are safe types of squash to feed your dog.

Zucchini cooked in butter or oil is not healthy for dogs. Butter and oil are high in fat and calories and diminish some of the potential health benefits of feeding your pup zucchini.

Yes, dogs can eat raw zucchini; in fact, raw is probably the best way since it ensures that you minimize any other additives, such as salt or oil, that could potentially be unhealthy for your dog. Zucchini should be chopped into appropriately sized smaller pieces before feeding to reduce your dog’s risk of choking.

Yes, dogs can eat cooked zucchini. The most important consideration is to simply be mindful of your ingredients. Additives like oil, butter and salt are unhealthy for your dog and lead to extra unwanted calories, as well as other potential health concerns.

It’s possible your dog may have an adverse reaction to zucchini and get sick. The most likely symptom is general gastrointestinal distress, including an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. If you notice your dog gets sick from zucchini, discontinue feeding it to them and consult with your veterinarian.

Adverse reactions to zucchini are uncommon unless your dog manages to eat a large amount of zucchini or has a unique sensitivity. If your dog does seem to be experiencing distress, monitor them closely and call your veterinarian.

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