The Answer
In short, if you are wondering if your dog can eat some eggplant, the answer is yes, however, some dogs may have an allergy to eggplant so if it is the first time giving it to your dog only give a small amount and keep an eye on your dog to make sure they are not allergic. Only serve cooked eggplant and make sure it does not have any seasonings that are harmful for dogs.
You can see that this puppy loves the taste of eggplants:
More Info About Eggplants For Dogs
While eggplants are ok for most dogs to eat, if your dog has health problems, it may not be the right food for your dog. Eggplants contain high oxalate levels. While this is not harmful for most dogs, if your dog has any kind of kidney problem, they should not be eating foods that are high in oxalate. Eggplants are also considered an inflammatory food. This means if your dog is suffering from arthritis, or a similar condition, eating eggplants can cause further inflammation.
How Should Eggplants Be Served To Dogs?
Eggplant should only been given to your dog after it has been cooked. Although raw eggplant can be eaten by dogs, it increases the likelihood of an allergic reaction, and can cause an upset stomach. When cooking eggplant for dogs, make sure you are not using any seasonings or spices that can be harmful for dogs. The most common seasonings to watch out for are onion, garlic and lime/lemon, all of which are very harmful to dogs.
Eggplant Allergies In Dogs?
Eggplants are part of the nightshade family of fruits, however unlike many other nightshade fruits, eggplant can be safe for most dogs. Some dogs however will have allergies to eggplants. If you gave your dog eggplant for the first time you should look out for things like diarrhoea, digestion problems, nausea and vomiting, development of rashes and increased scratching due to itchiness. if your dog is showing these symptoms give your local vet a call asap. Let them know your dog’s breed, age, and how much eggplant your dog had.
Eggplant And Dog Health
Eggplants can have a positive impact on your dog’s health. They contain an anthocyanin phytonutrient called nasunin which is known to improve brain function and fight against brain damage. Eggplants also contain chlorogenic acid which is helpful in fighting off cancers, viral infections, and harmful bacteria. Due to its inflammatory nature, eggplants can also improve heart functions and overall blood flow & circulation. Eggplants are high in fibre, vitamin B1, B6, vitamin K, manganese, copper, folate, pottasium, niacin, calcium and iron while having a low amount of calories. This makes eggplant a healthy additive to a dogs diet.
Eggplant Nutritional Information
One eggplant is approximately 548g.
One eggplant has the following nutritional information:
Calories: 136
Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 11mg
Potassium: 1254.9mg
Protein: 5g
In Conclusion
If you have cooked, and unseasoned eggplant, you can allow your dog to try some. The first time you give eggplant to your dog, you should take special care to make sure your dog is not allergic. Any dog with kidney problems, or arthritis should stay away from eating eggplants.