Yes, dogs can eat turnips.
Turnips are root vegetables belonging to the Brassica genus. They’re round in shape, and can be white, purple, green, or red in colour. Inside, the globular flesh is completely white. Humans can eat both the leaves and the roots. When eaten raw, the taste of the bitter flesh can be comparable to cabbage.
The good news is that dogs can eat turnips as an occasional treat. When fed correctly, it can help support his circulatory, urinary, and nervous systems. It can even decrease inflammation and boost his metabolism. On the other hand, refrain from feeding turnips to canines with thyroid problems as they may aggravate his condition.
How to feed turnips to your dog: Always consult with your veterinarian before introducing new food to your pooch. You want to make sure that he has no existing health conditions that may be affected by it. If your vet allows you to give turnips to your dog, start off with a bite-sized piece and observe his body’s reaction to it.
When feeding turnips, chop off the greens and stick to giving the white portion. Aside from serving it raw, try offering steamed, grilled, dehydrated, baked, or mashed turnips to your dog. But remember not to mix any ingredients with it such as salt, garlic, and onions. These may harm your pet depending on his size and how much was added.
Here are three ideas for turnip treats your dog will love:
- Puree the turnip and offer him a spoonful.
- Add grated or chopped turnip over his dog food for that extra crunch.
- Give a cube as a treat for simply being a good boy.
In summary: Rich in dietary fiber, turnips are a low-calorie snack that dogs can enjoy eating once in a while. Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, manganese, potassium, and vitamins C, K, and A are some nutrients he can get from this root vegetable.
Aside from turnips, find out which vegetables and fruits you can feed your pooch under our “can dogs eat” category.
References:
Rutabaga vs. Turnip: Differences Between the Root Vegetables
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