The short answer: It depends.
The long answer: Also known as aubergine or brinjal, eggplant is a purple-coloured plant that belongs to the nightshade family, Solanaceae. It is known for being a nutritious vegetable that’s low in fat and calories, and high in fiber, calcium, and iron.
Your dog can be fed cooked eggplant as long as he is not sensitive to eating nightshade plants such as tomatoes. For dogs with nightshade intolerance, consuming eggplant may lead to an upset stomach. It may manifest as vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and itchiness. Aside from this, dogs with existing kidney issues or osteoarthritis should not eat eggplant because the oxalates found in it may exacerbate existing symptoms.
If you grow eggplant in your backyard, make sure your dog does not have access to it. The eggplant leaves contain concentrated amounts of solanine, which may cause toxic reactions. Your dog may experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, convulsions, or may even collapse and die after consuming its lethal leaves.
How to feed eggplant to your dog: Bake, grill, or roast the eggplant as is before serving it to your dog. Do not add unnecessary seasonings such as salt, onion, or garlic.
Find out if your dog is allergic to eggplant by initially giving him a small portion then observing his body for any adverse reactions.
Here are three ideas for eggplant treats your dog will love:
- Grill then slice the eggplant crosswise. Feed them to your dog by hand as his post-training reward.
- Chop your eggplant into small cubes then place it over your pooch’s dry kibble.
- Replace zucchini with eggplant in this dog treat recipe.
In summary: Containing vitamins B6 and K, potassium, folate, niacin, and phytonutrients, cooked eggplant can help protect your dog against various illnesses. However, dogs with kidney issues, arthritis, or nightshade intolerance must not be given this vegetable.
References:
Can Dogs Eat This? The Ultimate Guide To 105 Food Items
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