Fennel is not a very popular vegetable, but it is one of the healthiest. It’s low in calories and offers many important nutrients.
Since fennel has a unique flavor similar to anise, it is either loved or hated. If you are among the people who love to eat fennel, then you might want to give your dog a piece too.
For us humans, all parts of the fennel ( bulb, stem, leaves, and seeds ) are edible, but what about dogs? Can dogs eat fennel too? The short answer would be yes, dogs can eat fennel too. In fact, fennel is also sometimes used in commercial dog foods to make them more nutritious.
The benefits of fennel for dogs
Fennel can be very beneficial for your dog. It is actually used as a natural treatment for many health problems in dogs.
First, fennel seeds can help regulate your dog’s digestive system. They have proven especially useful in fighting flatulence in dogs.
Second, fennel contains unique and important phytonutrients, which have an antioxidant effect and are useful in preventing cancer.
Third, fennel is a good plant-based source of calcium and iron. Fennel also contains many other valuable nutrients, such as vitamin C, fiber, potassium, molybdenum, manganese, copper, folate, magnesium, vitamin B3, and pantothenic acid. All of these nutrients are very important for your dog to stay healthy, so it is definitely a good idea to add some fennel seeds or other parts of the vegetable to your dog’s diet.
Can Dogs Eat Fennel? Things to consider
If you buy fennel from the grocery store, it is likely that it contains pesticide residues. Pesticide residues can be dangerous for dogs, so before giving your dog fennel, be sure to wash him thoroughly with clean water.
As with all other vegetables, your dog can only eat a small amount. Too much fennel or too many vegetables can often cause diarrhea in dogs.
When you first introduce your dog to it, I recommend that you be very careful and only give it a very small portion. As with all new foods, there is a possibility that your dog is allergic to fennel and this is why it is a smart move to give it very little of it the first time.
If all goes well and your dog shows no signs of food allergy ( diarrhea, excessive flatulence, licking its paws, itchy bottom ) then you can give it some more next time.
Final Thoughts
Fennel is a vegetable that dogs can safely eat. Because it has a very high nutrient content, it can be very good for your dog to have some in their diet. You can give your dog a few pieces of fennel stalks or add fennel seeds to your dogs’ regular food to boost their nutrition.
This article is purely informative, at Shelterapet we do not have the right to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We encourage you to take your pet to the vet in case of any kind of discomfort.
