Can Dogs Eat Asparagus?

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic

Are all veggies good for your pet or should they steer clear from certain vegetables altogether? Here’s what you need to know about asparagus and its safety for dogs.


Veggies are a very important part of our diet. Packed with important vitamins and nutrients, asparagus is one of the most valuable and important vegetables that we can eat. And, of course, it is totally safe for us. But what about your dog? It’s no secret that dogs will munch on anything that we do, but that might not always be the best course of action. Luckily, asparagus is not toxic to dogs, so it is safe for them to eat it.


Packed with vitamins and fibers, asparagus can be beneficial to dogs. However, it might not be so easy to consume. Even for us, raw asparagus is not edible, due to the fact it’s just too tough. In fact, it is so tough that even dogs could have trouble munching it down. If they do happen to get their paws on raw asparagus, it is likely they will swallow it without chewing. This can cause gas and diarrhea. It is recommended that you cook the veggie before you give some to your dog. That way it goes down nice and smooth.


A common mistake some owners make when feeding asparagus to their pets is simply cutting it raw into small pieces. This doesn’t make the vegetable any softer, and your dog can quickly choke on it if you are not careful.


A peculiar aspect of asparagus can make you wonder whether it’s so important to include it in your dog’s diet. And that is the fact that asparagus makes urine smell a bit…funky! It’s just the way it is – same for humans and same for dogs. So, if your dog sometimes pees where he shouldn’t, the problem might become greater with asparagus. Urine tends to smell overpowering due to it, and that could make stain cleaning much more difficult.


It is crucial to keep in mind that raw asparagus can be quite difficult for your dog to digest properly. As we said, it is quite stringy and tough – so you might need to make it a bit more…palatable! To do this, you can lightly blend it, steam it, boil it, or even saute it. Either one of these options will make it into a much more appetizing meal for your dog. What is more, treating asparagus in this way will break the cells down and release all those vitamins and nutrients, making them easier to absorb.


Asparagus is filled with goodies. Firstly, it is packed full of healthy fibers. They help with the digestive system and keep your dog’s stool healthy. What is more, soluble fibers support the immune system and are beneficial for the dog’s gut flora. Alongside this, there are tons of vitamins in asparagus, including A, C, E, B9, and K. All of these nutrients combined will contribute to the well-being of your dog. That means that an occasional bite or two of asparagus is much welcome in a daily doggo diet!

Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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