The eggplant is a vegetable that contains many beneficial properties for he alth, since it has a series of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that are flattering for the body. Our dogs, since they are currently considered facultative carnivores (mainly they must eat protein of animal origin, but the domestication process has led them to follow an omnivorous diet), can also benefit from its consumption, but always knowing how to offer this food. Aubergines should always be cooked, grilled or boiled, to eliminate solanines, which are toxic compounds for our dogs and can cause very unpleasant symptoms.
Is eggplant good for dogs?
Dogs can eat aubergine without risk of toxicity as long as it is cooked, because, when raw, the solanines they contain can give problems to our partners in life. Dogs are facultative carnivores, so they can follow an omnivorous diet as long as animal protein prevails, unlike cats that are strictly carnivorous. Thus, dogs can be fed meat and vegetables and other foods rich in carbohydrates, since their body is prepared to digest them and take advantage of them properly to obtain the nutrients they need daily to maintain their vital functions, growth and development. Of course, it is important to take into account the percentages, since it is not advisable to eat more vegetables than meat. We talked about it in the article on What do buts eat.
Dogs are not usually very interested in aubergines, as they are a type of vegetable rich in vitamins and carbohydrates that It really does not have a very desired flavor for these animals. However, due to its composition, its consumption will not harm your dog and it can even be good, but you must always do it in moderation and taking into account a series of circumstances that we will be commenting on in this article.
Benefits of brinjal for dogs
Aubergine is a vegetable very rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium It is also a source of flavonoids, which are pigments that protect cells against harmful and external agents, contains a large amount of water and few calories, which will satisfy your dog, hydrate it and prevent constipation due to its fiber content.
On the other hand, the eggplant is a source of vitamins such as folic acid, essential for the formation of new cells, as well as others from the B complex, such as vitamin B1 or vitamin B2. It is also an excellent antioxidant and immunity booster due to its vitamin C content. It also protects eye and skin he alth due to its vitamin A content.
Due to its chlorogenic acid content, it is a vegetable that stimulates liver activity, improving cholesterol levels. Because of its iron content, it helps prevent iron deficiency anemia, while its calcium content helps prevent osteoporosis. It also helps protect brain cell membranes and prevents atherosclerosis.
Dose of eggplant for dogs
Before offering your dog aubergine you should know how to do it correctly to prevent it from being frightened, unpleasant or traumatic for him. You must cut the aubergine into appropriate sizes according to your dog's mouth to avoid choking or swallowing difficulties. Ideally, use up to half an aubergine for large dogs and about a sixth of an aubergine for small dogs. In any case, it is also important to take into account the amount of each ingredient that is going to be included in the animal's diet, since vegetables should not exceed 10-15% of the total daily ration.
How to give my dog eggplant?
Can dogs eat cooked eggplant? And can dogs eat fried eggplant? Undoubtedly, once it has been clarified that the aubergine is good for dogs, these are the following doubts that arise, since the usual thing is to want to offer our dogs food correctly. So you should know that the only thing dogs can't eat is raw eggplant
It is important that the eggplant you offer your dog is cooked to avoid solanines, toxic substances that inhibit the cholinesterase enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of a stimulating neurotransmitter of the nervous system called acetylcholine, therefore which continues to act, activating muscarinic and nicotinic receptors, exacerbating parasympathetic effects such as pupillary contraction, ciliary spasm, lacrimation, ataxia, spasms, increased secretions, respiratory depression, bronchospasm, hypotension, hypersalivation, colic, diarrhea or increased peristalsis, among others. Therefore, it is best to cook it boiled in water, baked or grilled, never fried. We also shouldn't feed our leftovers because we tend to cook with s alt and spices that are not suitable for dogs.
On the other hand, you can remove the skin from the eggplant, as it can be a bit bitter for some dogs. However, you should know that the skin of the eggplant contains an antioxidant called nasunin, which can slow down your dog's aging by fighting free radicals and protecting cells from oxidative stress.
Although it is not that common, it can be the case of allergy to eggplant, so you should stay next to your dog when you offer him this food and watch for signs such as swelling of the mouth, vomiting or itching. We talk more about this in the article on Food Allergy in Dogs.
Eggplant side effects for dogs
Correctly cooked eggplant does not usually cause undesirable side effects in our dogs, but the nasunin in its skin can interfere with iron absorptionof foods. In addition, due to the oxalate content of this vegetable, can increase the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation , which can affect the urinary system of dogs.
Excess consumption or intoxication can lead to digestive signs such as indigestion, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. An allergic reaction to brinjal can lead to symptoms such as swelling of the mouth and tongue or throat, difficulties in breathing and swallowing, vomiting, and skin signs such as itching.
Having said the above, dogs can eat aubergine in moderation and offered correctly, as we have discussed in previous sections.
Contraindications of eggplant for dogs
As we have mentioned, regular consumption of eggplant by your dog can make it poorly absorb iron from its diet or be more prone to oxalate stones These stones are produced when there is an oversaturation of oxalate or calcium in the urine, and surgery is necessary to remove them, since it is not possible with a diet. These stones can give rise to symptoms such as painful urination, blood in the urine or difficulty urinating, worsening the urinary he alth of our dogs. You should know that there are some breeds that are more predisposed, such as the following:
- Shih Tzu
- Miniature Poodle
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Yorkshire terrier
- Bichon Frize
Likewise, the average age of appearance of these stones is 5-12 years. For this reason, if your dog has hypercalcaemia or kidney or stone problems, do not offer this vegetable as a precaution.
Also, we remind you again, their raw consumption is contraindicated due to the amount of solanines they contain when the aubergines are not subjected to any cooking process, which predisposes them to inflammation and even to the development or worsening of arthritis in sensitive or affected dogs.
