Asparagus is not toxic to dogs so it is generally safe for them to eat. In fact, asparagus is actually a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals such as vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, and potassium, which are beneficial for your dog’s health.
However, asparagus can also be tough to digest and may cause your dog to get an upset tummy so it’s best to only feed your dog asparagus in moderation. Cooking the asparagus thoroughly before feeding it to your fur baby is also highly recommended so that they can better digest it. Make sure not to cook the asparagus in a pan with any onions though (or onion powder, or spice mixes that contain onion powder seasoning) because onions are toxic to dogs.
Additionally, there are some situations in which you should not feed your dog asaparagus at all:
- Your dog has a history of gastrointestinal problems: Asparagus can be tough to digest and may upset some dogs’ tummies more than others. If your dog has a history of vomiting or diarrhea more than once a month, it’s best to avoid feeding them asparagus.
- Your dog has kidney disease: Asparagus is high in oxalates, which can form crystals in the urine and potentially lead to kidney stones in dogs with kidney disease. If your dog has a history of kidney problems, avoid feeding them asparagus.
- Your dog has an allergy to asparagus: While rare, some dogs may have an allergic reaction to asparagus which can cause symptoms such as itching, swelling, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you observe any of those symptoms after feeding your dog asparagus, stop immediately and consult a veterinarian before feeding them any additional asparagus.
Even if your dog has none of the issues above, it’s important to remember that dogs are omnivores who need a lot of meat in their diets. Asparagus should only ever be a small proportion of whatever they eat in a given day.