Yes, dogs can eat red cabbage. These vegetables are great for dogs as they provide ample vitamins and dietary fibers. Fresh red cabbages can be fed to dogs in moderate amounts. While red cabbages are good for dogs, they are not a substitute for regular dog food.
Like humans, dogs are omnivorous meaning they can eat both meat and vegetables. This is great as they don’t require a strict meat-based diet.
Meat doesn’t provide all the essential nutrients dogs require; vegetables can be added to your dog’s diet as they provide ample nutrients that are required by dogs to remain healthy and active. Red cabbage is one of those vegetables.
Can Dogs Eat Red Cabbage?
Dogs can have red cabbage in moderate amounts. These veggies provide ample nutrients and help improve your dog’s digestion.
Red cabbages are excellent at keeping dogs healthy and strengthening their immune system. This helps them fight diseases and remain fit. Red cabbages are rich in dietary fibers which keep a dog’s digestive system in check and prevent complications such as constipation and upset stomach.
Too much red cabbage can cause excessive gas discharge which is not comfortable for people in the room.
Is Red Cabbage Good for Dogs?
Red cabbage is great for dogs. They provide several health benefits and are a delicious snack for your four-legged friend.
These vegetables contain:
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Dietary fibers, among other
These nutrients help dogs maintain a healthy digestive system and improve their coat. Red cabbages are also known to have higher amounts of antioxidants than green or white cabbages. They prevent inflammations and keep dogs active and healthy.
Red cabbage can be included in a dog’s diet provided they are fed in moderation and are not entirely substituted for dog food.
Is Red Cabbage Bad for Dogs?
No, red cabbage is good for dogs but as with most things, moderation must be ensured when feeding red cabbages to dogs.
Dogs cannot synthesize Thiamine[1], a water-soluble vitamin, and require an appropriate amount of this vitamin in their daily diet.
According to a report[2], red cabbages contain polyhydroxy phenol (an anti-thiamine) which interacts with thiamine and causes deficiencies in dogs. They also contain thiocyanate [3] which inhibits the function of thyroid hormones.
These hormones are responsible for maintaining the body’s metabolism and development.
Too much thiocyanate can cause hyperthyroidism[4] in dogs which results in a slow heartbeat, abnormal weight gain, poor digestion, and lethargy.
To avoid this, it is better to feed dogs cooked red cabbage as cooking them reduces these chemicals and prevents dogs from developing life-threatening diseases.
It all comes down to how much red cabbage is included in a dog’s diet. Small portions shouldn’t have a great impact and can be given to dogs without worry.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Red Cabbage?
It is better to avoid feeding raw red cabbage to dogs as they can be tough to digest for the canines and can result in digestion problems and gas discharge.
Dogs can eat raw red cabbages but to provide the maximum amount of nutrients safely, cooking red cabbages is the way to go.
Is Cooked Red Cabbage Good for Dogs?
Yes, cooked red cabbage is great for dogs. Cooking red cabbages lowers the number of polyhydroxy phenols and thiocyanate making it less risky for dogs to eat.
Red cabbages provide more minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and dietary fibers than green cabbages. It is recommended to cook these vegetables before feeding them to dogs as doing so would reduce the thiocyanate and polyhydroxy phenols present in them.
This makes them healthy and safe for dogs to consume and enjoy.
How to Prepare Red Cabbage for Dogs
You can feed your dog red cabbage either with or without other ingredients. You can also add different fruits and meat products to provide a more wholesome meal to your dog depending on their preferences.
Cooking red cabbage is preferred over raw as they provide more nutrients and are healthier for dogs. To prepare red cabbage for dogs, you need the following ingredients:
- One red cabbage
- Ground meat (100 g)
- Water (100 ml)
- Whole Wheat flour (150 g)
- 2 Eggs
- Butter (unsalted, 5 tablespoons)
Here are the steps:
- Slice or grate the red cabbage into small pieces which makes it easier for dogs to digest
- Crack the eggs in a bowl and whisk them until a bit frothy
- Add water and butter to the eggs and mix until fully combined
- Add the ground meat to the mixture and mix until the meat is fully immersed in the mixture
- Slowly add the sliced/grated cabbage and flour to the bowl and keep on mixing
- You can either choose to bake the entire meal in a single large bowl or you can choose to make small muffins
- Bake in the oven until it is done.
- Cool the treats before feeding them to dogs
Nutritional Value of Red Cabbage
Red cabbage is full of vital nutrients that are required by dogs in their daily diet. These nutrients help dogs function efficiently and remain active throughout the day.
| Nutrition | 100g of Red Cabbage |
| Calories | 31 kcal |
| Total Carbohydrates | 7 g |
| Fats | 0.2 g |
| Proteins | 1.4 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.1 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.2 mg |
| Vitamin C | 57 mg |
| Potassium | 243 mg |
| Magnesium | 16 mg |
| Iron | 0.8 mg |
US Department of Agriculture[5]
Alternatives to Red Cabbage for Dogs
Red cabbage is a great snack for dogs, but other meals can be fed to dogs which provide the essential nutrients and energy to them and help them remain healthy.
Some of these are:
Conclusion
Red cabbage is a great meal for dogs. They are rich in minerals and vitamins which help dogs remain healthy and fight diseases. The antioxidants also prevent inflammation making them a great part of your dog’s daily diet.
Make sure to feed red cabbages in moderate amounts as overfeeding them can result in some complications. Cooking these veggies gets rid of the harmful chemicals and prevents dogs from developing diseases.
FAQs
Can Dogs Eat Fresh Red Cabbage?
Yes, dogs can eat fresh red cabbage. It is recommended to feed cooked cabbages to dogs to reduce the chances of thyroid problems and provide the proper nutrients in their diet.
Can Dogs on Raw Food Diet Eat Red Cabbage?
Dogs on a raw food diet can eat red cabbage but in moderation. Small pieces can be fed to dogs daily but they are not a perfect substitute for regular dog food.
