17 April 2023

Can dogs eat eggplant?

By Killian

Can dogs eat eggplant?

Eggplant is a vegetable that contains numerous beneficial properties for health, as it has a series of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that are beneficial to the body. Our dogs, since they are currently considered facultative carnivores (they must mainly eat protein of animal origin, but the domestication process has led them to follow an omnivorous diet), can also benefit from their consumption, but always knowing how to offer this food. . Eggplants should always be cooked, grilled or boiled, to eliminate solanines, which are toxic compounds for our dogs and can cause very unpleasant symptoms.

If you want to know more about how to give eggplant to a dogcontinue reading this AnimalWised article where we will discuss its benefits, dosage, side effects and contraindications.

Is eggplant good for dogs?

can dogs eat eggplant without risk of toxicity as long as it is cooked, because when it is raw, the solanines they contain can cause problems for our life partners. Dogs are facultative carnivorous animals, so they can follow an omnivorous diet as long as animal protein prevails, unlike cats that are strictly carnivorous. Thus, dogs can be fed meat and vegetables and other foods rich in carbohydrates, since their bodies are prepared to digest them and take advantage of them properly to obtain the nutrients they need daily to maintain their vital functions, growth and development. Of course, it is important to take into account the percentages, since it is not advisable to eat more vegetables than meat. We talked about it in the article on What do buts eat.

To the dogs They don’t tend to be hugely interested in aubergines, because they are a type of vegetable rich in vitamins and carbohydrates that really does not have a flavor that is highly desired by these animals. However, due to its composition, your dog will not be harmed by its consumption and it can even be good, but it must always be done in moderation and taking into account a series of circumstances that we will discuss in this article.

Benefits of eggplant for dogs

Eggplant is a vegetable very rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. It is also a source of flavonoids, which are pigments that protect cells against harmful and external agents, it contains a large amount of water and few calories, which will make your dog satisfied, hydrated and prevent constipation due to its also content. in fiber.

On the other hand, the eggplant is a source of vitamins such as folic acid, essential for the formation of new cells, as well as others of the B complex, such as vitamin B1 or vitamin B2. It is also an excellent antioxidant and immunity booster due to its vitamin C content. Likewise, it protects eye and skin health due to its vitamin A content.

Due to its chlorogenic acid content, it is a vegetable that stimulates liver activity, improving cholesterol levels. Due to its iron content it helps prevent iron deficiency anemia, while its calcium content helps prevent osteoporosis. It also helps protect brain cell membranes and prevents atherosclerosis.

Eggplant dosage for dogs

Before offering aubergine to your dog, you should know how to do it correctly to avoid scaring him, being unpleasant or traumatic for him. You must cut the eggplant into appropriate sizes according to your dog’s mouth to avoid choking or swallowing difficulties. Ideally, use up to half aubergine in large dogs and around a sixth of eggplant for small dogs. In any case, it is also important to take into account the amount of each ingredient to be included in the animal’s diet, since vegetables should not exceed 10-15% of the total daily ration.

How to give eggplant to my dog?

Can dogs eat cooked eggplant? And can dogs eat fried eggplant? Undoubtedly, once it has been clarified that eggplant is good for dogs, these are the following questions that arise, since the usual thing is to want to offer our dogs food correctly. So, you should know that the only thing that dogs can’t eat it’s raw eggplant.

It is important that the aubergine that you offer your dog is cooked to avoid solanines, some toxins that inhibit the cholinesterase enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of a neurotransmitter that stimulates the nervous system called acetylcholine, so it continues to act, activating muscarinic receptors. and nicotinics, exacerbating parasympathetic effects such as pupillary contraction, ciliary spasm, tearing, ataxia, spasms, increased secretions, respiratory depression, bronchospasm, hypotension, hypersalivation, colic, diarrhea or increased peristalsis, among others. Therefore, it is best to cook it boiled in water, baked or grilled, never fried. We also shouldn’t give him our leftovers because we tend to cook with salt and spices that aren’t suitable for dogs.

On the other hand, you can remove the skin of the eggplant, because it can be somewhat bitter for some dogs. However, you should know that eggplant skin contains an antioxidant called nasunin, which can delay your dog’s aging by fighting free radicals and protecting cells from oxidative stress.

Although it is not so frequent, it can be the case of an allergy to aubergine, so you should stay next to your dog when you offer this food and be aware of signs such as swelling of the mouth, vomiting or itching. We talk more about this in the article on Food Allergies in Dogs.

Can dogs eat eggplant?  - How to give eggplant to my dog?

Side effects of eggplant for dogs

Eggplant cooked correctly does not usually produce undesirable side effects in our dogs, but the nasunin in their skin does can interfere with iron absorption of food. In addition, due to the oxalate content of this vegetable, may increase risk of calcium oxalate stone formationwhich can affect the urinary system of dogs.

Excess consumption or intoxication can lead to digestive signs such as indigestion, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Allergic reaction to brinjal can cause symptoms such as swelling of the mouth and tongue or throat, difficulties in breathing and swallowing, vomiting and skin signs such as itching.

That said, dogs can eat eggplant in moderation and offered correctly, as we have discussed in previous sections.

Contraindications of eggplant for dogs

As we have mentioned, the habitual consumption of aubergine by your dog can make it not absorb the iron from its diet well or be more prone to oxalate stones. These calculations occur when there is a supersaturation of oxalate or calcium in the urine, requiring surgery to eliminate them, since it is not possible with diet. These stones can give rise to symptoms such as painful urination, blood in the urine or difficulty urinating, worsening the urinary health of our dogs. You should know that there are some most predisposed breedslike the following:

Likewise, the mean age of onset of these stones is 5-12 years. For this reason, if your dog presents hypercalcemia or kidney or stone problemsDo not offer this vegetable as a precaution.

Also, we remember again, their raw consumption is contraindicated due to the amount of solanines they contain when the aubergines are not subjected to any cooking process, which predisposes them to inflammation and even to the development or worsening of arthritis in sensitive dogs or dogs. who suffer from it.

If you want to read more articles similar to Can dogs eat eggplant?we recommend that you enter our Home Diets section.