If you love okra, you might be wondering if you can safely share some with your pup. Yes, dogs can eat okra but it should only be given to them in moderation because, like many other vegetables, too much okra can be bad for dogs leading to gas and diarrhea. However, it’s safe to say that okra is not poisonous to dogs and, in the right dosages, can actually provide a bunch of health benefits that make okra a good treat for dogs.
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Health Benefits of Okra For Dogs
You should definitely consider Okra a treat for your dog, which means it should be limited (like all other treats) to about 10% of their daily dietary intake. Okra is loaded with nutrients that dogs need, including dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, magnesium, and much more!
It can help maintain properly functioning bowel movements and can also help improve and protect their vision. In addition, the vitamin C in okra helps fight off a number of diseases and health issues, including gastrointestinal problems.
Can Dogs Eat Fried Okra?
As a rule of thumb, it’s never a good idea to give your dogs fried foods of any kind. Fried foods typically only provide a bunch of empty calories and the oils that these foods are fried in are high in fat, which can lead to some serious health problems.
If you are planning to give okra to your dog, we recommend that you serve raw or steamed, which helps retain as much of its nutrients as possible. Never add any seasonings to foods that you give your pups.
If you want a softer solution to help aid digestion, you can also boil okra in water. However, you’ll definitely lose a lot of water soluble nutrients with this method.
Make sure to cut the okra into small bite-sized pieces so it’s easier to digest and doesn’t present a choking hazard to your dog.
Yes, Dogs Can Eat Okra in Moderation
It’s best to introduce small amounts of okra into your dogs’ diets if they haven’t had any before. Watch for any signs of gastrointestinal issues after they eat okra, including gas and diarrhea. If you don’t see any symptoms, this means you can safely give okra to your dogs on occasion.
For other healthy vegetables to give to your pups, we recommend that you talk to your vet and also check out our post on best dog foods to help you evaluate whether they are getting the right balance of nutrients your pups need and deserve.