Can Dogs Eat Zucchini? Let’s Squash the Debate!

As pet owners, we are always on the lookout for healthy and nutritious treats to incorporate into our furry friend’s diets. Thankfully, zucchini is a doggo-approved treat!

Although the zucchini may seem like less of a dog food, the fruit is perfectly safe for them. That said, don’t expect your dog to eat one whole zucchini. Like all fruits and vegetables, feed your dog zucchini in moderation.

Veterinarian Joanna Woodnutt says, “Zucchini is quite a healthy snack for canines. It’s generally safe for dogs to eat. They do not cause many adverse effects, except where too much zucchini is eaten.”

Is Zucchini Safe & Good For Dogs?

You’re probably wondering, “why is zucchini good for dogs?”

Well, let me explain. Firstly, the fruit is rich in water, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A cup of zucchini contains 20 calories and almost no cholesterol, making it an ideal alternative to high-calorie treats.

Zucchini, packed with antioxidants, can protect your dog from free radicals that can cause long-term harm to your dog.

Zucchini and the Risks Involved

While zucchini is generally safe for dogs to eat, there are some risks to be aware of:

Digestive Upset

Zucchini is high in fiber, which can be beneficial for dogs, but too much of it can cause digestive upset, including diarrhea or constipation.

It’s important to introduce zucchini to your dog’s diet gradually and in moderation.

Choking Hazard

Zucchini can be a choking hazard if it’s not cut into small, bite-sized pieces, or if your dog tries to swallow it whole. Ensure it’s cut into pieces that are appropriate for them.

Pesticides

Let’s face it, almost all fruits and vegetables have pesticides and harmful chemicals. These substances can be toxic to dogs, so wash the zucchini thoroughly before feeding it to your dog. Better yet, choose organic zucchini when possible.

Is Cooked Zucchini Or Other Zucchini Products Safe?

While dogs can eat fried, raw, or cooked zucchini, most people don’t know how to prepare zucchini the right way for dogs.

Whether you’re giving your dog fried, cooked or raw zucchini, be sure to cut off the stalk. As mentioned earlier, cut the fruit into small pieces. Next, it’s important to blend, boil, or steam the zucchini to break down the fruit’s hard cellular walls.

“Zucchini is rich in vitamins A, C, B6, and K, which is beneficial for your dog’s vision, skin, coat, bone and cartilage growth, metabolism, and proper blood-clotting.”- Dr. Alex Crow, MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Zucchini?

Cooking zucchini is easier to digest for dogs and helps to break down any potentially harmful bacteria or parasites in raw zucchini.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Zucchini?

While dogs can eat small amounts of raw zucchini, it’s generally recommended to feed dogs cooked zucchini instead of raw.

Can Dogs Eat Fried Zucchini?

Fried zucchini is not ideal for dogs, as it is often coated in batter or breadcrumbs that can be high in fat and salt, which is harmful to your pet’s health.

Can Dogs Eat Zucchini Squash?

Regarded as the zucchini’s yellow-colored cousin, zucchini squash is safe for dogs to eat. In fact, zucchini squash is a nutritious and low-calorie food that can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.

And like the zucchini, it’s important to prepare it well before feeding it to your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Zucchini Bread?

Many types of bread, including zucchini bread, are high in carbohydrates and calories, contributing to obesity and other health issues in dogs if fed in excess.

Zucchini bread also contains added sugar, spices, and other flavorings that can be harmful to dogs in large amounts.

Are Zucchini Plants Toxic To Dogs?

Zucchini plants belong to the Cucurbitaceae family (the same species as cucumbers, melons, and squash). The plants produce a bitter-tasting compound called cucurbitacin.

Although all parts of the zucchini plant are non-toxic to dogs, the leaves, stems, and flowers of the zucchini plant can be undesirable for dogs if ingested in large quantities. It can cause gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea.

However, the bitter taste usually deters dogs from eating large quantities anyway.

On that note, can dogs eat zucchini seeds? Yes, dogs can eat zucchini seeds, but it’s generally best to remove them before feeding zucchini to your dog. Zucchini seeds can especially pose a choking hazard for small dogs or dogs that tend to gobble their food without chewing properly.

How To Serve Zucchini To Dogs

While zucchini can be fed to dogs as is, there are several interesting recipes for dogs.

Zucchini Dog Treats

To make this, all you need is 1 cup grated zucchini, 1 cup grated sweet potato, 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, and 2 eggs.

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
• In a large bowl, mix together the grated zucchini and sweet potato.
• Add whole wheat flour and rolled oats to the bowl and mix well.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, olive oil, honey, and eggs.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
• Use a cookie cutter to cut out the biscuits into desired shapes and sizes.
• Place the biscuits on a lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
• Let the biscuits cool completely before serving them to your dog.

Zucchini and Chicken Dog Food

To make this nummy treat, gather 1 pound ground chicken, 2 cups chopped zucchini, 1 cup cooked brown rice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 teaspoon dried parsley.

Instructions

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the ground chicken and cook until browned and break it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon.
• Add the chopped zucchini and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the zucchini is tender.
• Add the cooked brown rice and dried parsley to the skillet, and stir to combine.
• Let the mixture cool completely.
• Serve to your dog, dividing the mixture into portions based on their size and nutritional needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Zucchini Can A Dog Eat?

The amount of zucchini a dog can eat depends on their size, weight, and overall health. Generally speaking, it’s best to feed dogs small amounts (not more than a piece) of zucchini as a treat or as part of their regular diet.

As a general guideline, dogs can have up to 10% of their daily diet made up of treats or other non-standard foods, including zucchini.

Can Dogs Eat Zucchini With Skin?

Yes, dogs can eat zucchini with the skin as long as it is thoroughly washed and prepared. In fact, the skin has the highest amount of antioxidants. However, some dogs may have difficulty digesting the skin.

It is important to monitor your dog’s reaction to it to understand if the skin causes any reaction or is safe to consume.

Is Raw Or Cooked Zucchini Better For Dogs?

While dogs can eat small amounts of raw zucchini, it’s generally recommended to feed cooked zucchini. Raw zucchini, when fed as is, can be hard for the dog to digest.

It’s always a good practice to boil, stem, or ferment the zucchini to soften it so it’s easier to digest for your pet.

Can Zucchini Cause Allergies In Dogs?

While zucchini is not a common allergen for dogs, it is possible for some dogs to be allergic to it. Like any food, zucchini contains proteins that can trigger an allergic reaction.

The symptoms of an allergy in dogs include itching or scratching, vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, rash skin, and swelling of the face, ears, or paws.