You either like artichokes or you don’t. And the struggle of getting your loved ones to eat this nutrient-loaded, liver and digestive health boosting, blood pressure regulating vegetable is another battle altogether. But what about our canine companions, can dogs eat artichoke whether humans are fond of the vegetable or not?
When feeding something new or a “human” food item to your dog, you have to practice vigilance. It’s very important to first find out if that vegetable, fruit, etc. is safe for him/her or not. Foods safe for dogs should be the only ones you feed, no matter how desperately your little furry friend wants to consume those that should never be given to dogs.
So are artichokes on the latter list? Are artichokes bad for dogs to eat? Let’s find out right away!
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Can Dogs Eat Artichoke?
Artichokes are incredibly healthy for your heart. But yeah, I’m talking about YOUR heart, human heart is what I mean. Does that mean you should be feeding artichoke to dogs? Well, dogs can indeed consume artichokes.
But now here’s the thing, just like dogs can eat dried mango but only its soft and fleshy part, even artichokes have certain such conditions. You have to prepare artichoke safely if you want your dog to consume it without any minor or major side effects. And of course, it goes without saying that moderation is the best thing for your dog.
The biggest downside, however, is the potential choking hazard. Also, artichokes, when cooked with toxic, dangerous ingredients (for dogs) like onion or garlic, are not safe for consumption. Plus, dogs should never even consume a lot of salt.
Signs That Your Dog Actually Likes Eating Artichoke
How to tell if your canine buddy is actually enjoying this veggie or not? It’s only normal and common for some dogs to like artichokes and for some to just not take a liking to them. If your dog is the former kind, he/she will eat the vegetable with absolutely no hesitation – swallowing the whole bite!
Your dog can also show you that he/she is fond of artichoke through licking their lips, drooling, howling, whining, barking, jumping up at the food or you, pawing at your legs, etc. Even pacing around and spinning in circles or simply just staring at you with those cute adorable little alert, intent-looking eyes. These are totally visible signs!
On the other hand, if your dog doesn’t like artichokes, the chewed-up pieces will be spit back out of his/her mouth. Playing with or pawing at the food, like it’s a toy and not something to eat, is another telltale sign that they’re not so fond of artichoke.
The Science (Health Benefits) Behind Artichokes for Dogs
The nutritional benefits of the artichoke are not to be doubted indeed. But do those benefits apply to dogs too? To be honest, and safe most of all, feed this healthy vegetable to canines in moderation only.
Antioxidants are present in abundance, which, as we all know, get rid of free radicals from the body. So that’s a pretty strong defense against heart conditions, cancer, and other serious illnesses.
High content of potassium, niacin, dietary fiber, and folate is also contained in artichokes. And these too boost the overall immunity and health of your dog. Fiber, after all, allows the digestive system to function normally, which is great and much-needed if your little pooch has constipation troubles.
At the same time, artichoke consists of low fat and low calories. So it’s a very healthy alternative (as a snack) to those commercially processed treats made for dogs, and cats.
Can Dogs Eat Fresh Artichoke?
Fresh or raw artichokes can be fed to dogs BUT make sure to cut up the vegetable into tiny pieces first to avoid choking hazards. Bite-size pieces, remember!
The raw kind contains the maximum level of nutrients, so that’s a great advantage. But do also keep in mind that dogs mostly need plenty of protein in their daily diet. So don’t forget to include proper protein-rich meals.
Can Dogs Eat Artichoke Leaves?
Artichoke leaves are NOT safe for consumption, only the edible part is.
As a general rule, all kinds of leaves (of fruits, vegetables, plants, etc.) should never be fed to dogs because they can prove to be poisonous.
Can Dogs Eat Artichoke Thistle?
Also called cardoon, artichoke thistle (bitter-tasting) we humans can eat braised or steamed. As for dogs, I’d say keep this part of the vegetable away from them.
Can Dogs Eat Artichoke Hearts?
First, prepare the artichoke hearts properly, and then feed them to your pet. Artichoke hearts are actually very healthy for dogs because of the rich content of disease-fighting antioxidants in them. Along with lots of folate and potassium as well.
But then, once again, practice MODERATION. Moderation in this case because of the high levels of fiber. Fiber in moderation boosts digestive health but then too much of it leads to loose stools.
Can Dogs Eat Jerusalem Artichokes?
Sunchokes or Jerusalem artichokes come from the family of sunflowers and they’re safe for dogs to consume. These are starchy tuber plants that aid digestion.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked, Marinated, Steamed, or Fried Artichokes?
Cooking means adding a lot of salt to the food, right? Even onion or garlic! Any of these ingredients are not safe for dogs. So if by cooked artichokes, you mean cooked unseasoned and with very little to no salt, then yes dogs can eat cooked artichokes.
Marinated definitely NOT because of, once again, too much salt. Instead, feed the vegetable unseasoned or raw.
Steamed artichokes (unsalted, unseasoned) are also okay. Just make sure to chop the veggie into small, bite-sized bits. And steam until the artichoke gets really soft, thus is easily chewable.
And just a big, huge NO for fried artichokes. Fried foods are always a bad, unhealthy, and dangerous idea for dogs due to the presence of fats and oils that give rise to indigestion and weight problems (always keep your dog’s weight in check).
Can Dogs Eat Artichoke Dip?
Cream cheese – that’s what’s the most delicious thing about dips. And that’s why artichoke dip is not healthy for dogs, because it contains too much dairy. The digestive tract of canines reacts very sensitively to dairy, so no artichoke dip for the little one.
Need-to-Know Safety Tips for Feeding Artichokes to Dogs
- Feed artichoke to your dog only in moderation.
- You should feed the vegetable raw or boiled.
- Avoid jarred or canned options since these are packed with oils, salt, and seasonings.
Done – Your Dog Deserves the Best!
It’s your responsibility to care for your furry little companion. And this means keeping a check on what he/she eats.
As for feeding artichokes, these can cause a choking hazard. In that case, make sure that you prepare them properly by chopping the raw or boiled vegetable (unseasoned and unsalted of course) into tiny pieces and then feed. And avoid artichoke leaves and thistle.
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