Arugula is a type of leafy green that many people mistake for a type of lettuce. In fact it belongs to the brassica family and is more closely related to mustard.
Many humans love arugula for its crunchy and peppery taste on its own, and also the way it helps to brighten a dish. And, as most pet owners know, what is loved by humans is also often loved by our dogs.
It’s generally assumed that if something is a vegetable, it’s going to be healthy for a dog to eat. However, some vegetables are not suitable for dogs.
So, is arugula a good dog food? A question a lot of us dog lovers have is, “Can Dogs Eat Arugula?”
This article will tell you whether it is safe for dogs to eat arugula. It will also go into the details on whether this food has health benefits or harmful effects on our dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Arugula?
The short answer is yes; dogs can eat arugula.
There are many foods that are not suitable for dogs, such as grapes, bones, and chocolate, but arugula is not one of them. Arugula is a safe food for dogs.
In fact, arugula is generally a healthy for our furry pups as it contains several benefits for them.
How Does Arugula Benefit Dogs?
Arugula is rich in certain minerals and vitamins.
To be specific it is rich in:
- Vitamin A: vitamin A can help prevent medical conditions caused by irregular blood sugar levels.
- Folate: folate is an essential vitamin that helps prevent conditions such as fatty liver from occurring.
- Vitamin C: vitamin C is great for strengthening a dog’s immune system as well as their bones.
- Vitamin K: vitamin K is excellent for developing blood vessels and regenerating skin and creative tissue.
- Iron: iron is a mineral that helps carry in the hemoglobin of red blood cells.
- Fiber: fiber helps in solving a dog’s digestive problems. Foods rich in fiber, such as mandarin, can help against bowel movement problems.
- Magnesium: magnesium regulates metabolism. It also helps in a dog’s neurotransmission.
- Calcium: arugula is also rich in calcium, which helps develop bones and teeth. To add to that, they can be a good source of calcium for lactose-intolerant dogs.
- Potassium: potassium can keep your dog’s bones strong and healthy. This makes arugula a good food for older dogs.
- Phosphorus: foods rich in phosphorus, such as arugula, can build healthier bones.
- Manganese: arugula is an excellent source of manganese. Manganese is a mineral that promotes metabolic functioning and good bone health.
- Protein
As you can see, arugula packs excellent nutritional value for dogs. So is there anything to be warned about when feeding arugula to your pooch?
Harmful Effects of Arugula on Dogs
Be advised, that not all consumption of arugula is healthy and good.
It is often mixed in salads. And some salads may come with onions or other toxic foods that can be bad for your dog.
It is also best not to feed raw arugula to dogs as they are goitrogenic. This means that they may cause thyroid problems.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?“
Up next, find out Can Dogs Eat Twizzlers?
