Spinach is a green leafy vegetable that people often use as an ingredient in many dishes and recipes, especially in salads. But do you know if dogs can eat spinach? The answer is yes. However, a series of nuances should be taken into account to prevent their contribution from causing unwanted effects on the he alth of our dogs.
Is spinach good for dogs?
Spinach is a plant of the Chenopodiaceae family that is cultivated for its nutritious and tasty leaves. It is a common ingredient in people's food, which can also be included in the diet of dogs, since it is part of the list of vegetables they can eat. Its high content of vitamins and minerals provides multiple benefits to the he alth of our animals. In fact, there are multiple commercial feeds that include spinach in their list of ingredients. Therefore, we can say that spinach is good for dogs.
However, there are two reasons why should be included sparingly in the diet of dogs:
- Contain oxalic acid: When oxalic acid combines with calcium, calcium oxalate crystals are formed. These crystals can aggregate and form urinary stones Calcium oxalate stones are much more common in males than females, especially in small breeds such as miniature schnauzers, the chihuahua or the yorkshire terrier.
- Contain nitrates: nitrates themselves are relatively non-toxic, however, after ingestion they are converted into nitrites, which can cause a blood disorder known as methemoglobinemia.
Therefore, whenever you decide to include spinach in your dog's diet, it is important to do so in moderation to avoid these undesirable effects on your dog's he alth. In the following sections we will talk about the amount and how to include this vegetable in the dog's diet.
Benefits of spinach for dogs
The nutritional value of spinach lies in its high content of vitamins and minerals. Next, we collect the main nutritional benefits of spinach that can also benefit dogs:
- They provide large amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin B9 (folates). To a lesser extent, they provide vitamin E, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and B2 (riboflavin).
- They have a high content of beta carotene, which are transformed into vitamin A in the body, carrying out antioxidant and immune-stimulating actions. In addition, they contain other carotenoids without provitamin activity A, such as lutein or zeaxanthin, which are beneficial for the preservation of visual acuity and prevent the development of cataracts.
- Among the minerals, its high content of magnesium and iron stands out It is worth mentioning that iron is in the form of “non-ferrous iron”. heme”, which is more difficult to absorb than the “heme” form present in foods of animal origin. However, some nutrients such as vitamin C (also present in spinach) significantly improve iron absorption. Although to a lesser extent, spinach also contains potassium, phosphorus and calcium.
- They have a measurable amount of soluble and insoluble fiber Although the dog's digestive system cannot digest fiber, it is It is a fundamental nutrient in your diet. Among other things, fiber adds volume to the ration, creates a feeling of satiety, contributes to the maintenance of the intestinal microbiota, regulates intestinal transit and stool consistency.
Dose of spinach for dogs
As we have already mentioned, spinach is a suitable vegetable for dogs. However, they should be included in your diet in moderation due to the presence of oxalic acid and nitrates. Spinach can be bad for dogs if it is offered in excess due to these components, which is why it is important to pay attention to the amount that is offered and the frequency.
As a guideline, you can choose to include spinach in your dog's ration one day a week. In small dogs it is enough to include about 5 sheets and in large dogs about 10 sheets.
How to give my dog spinach?
First of all, you should know that both fresh and frozen spinach are safe for dogs. If you opt for fresh spinach, remember to wash them in plenty of water to remove any contaminants or pesticides that may be present on their surface.
Now, how to cook spinach for dogs? Although you can offer them raw, it is likely that your dog will reject them, for this we recommend that you steam them, since in this way they will preserve their properties to a greater extent nutritional.
Once they are cooked, you can mix them with their homemade portion, that is, adding animal proteins, some more vegetables or some cereal, depending on the food you usually offer your dog. Of course, it is very important to have the advice of a veterinarian specialized in canine nutrition to guarantee that the homemade diet does not present any nutritional deficit. In the article What do dogs eat we talk about foods and their percentages.
Contraindications of spinach for dogs
Although dogs can eat spinach, there are certain situations in which its contribution is contraindicated. Specifically, the use of this ingredient should be avoided in the following cases:
- Dogs with kidney problems, especially in dogs with urinary stones.
- Small breed male dogs (such as the miniature schnauzer, the chihuahua or the yorkshire terrier) due to their greater tendency to form calcium oxalate stones.
- Dogs with anemia.
- Dogs with allergies or food intolerances.
- Dogs with a particularly sensitive digestive system to changes in diet.
