Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Broccoli? Yes, in Small Amounts
Yes, in moderation: plain broccoli is safe for most dogs as an occasional low-calorie treat, raw or cooked. The catch is quantity. Broccoli florets contain isothiocyanates, natural compounds that can irritate a dog's stomach when they eat a lot, and a thick stalk can lodge in a small dog's throat. Served plain, chopped small and kept to a few pieces, it is one of the better vegetables to share.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read3 sources
Why broccoli is safe in small amounts
Broccoli is low in calories and gives a dog fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K, which is why it appears on most lists of vegetables dogs can share. The AKC describes it as safe in small amounts and best served as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of the bowl.
The reason for the limit is in the florets. They contain isothiocyanates, the same compounds that give broccoli its slightly bitter bite, and in larger amounts these can cause mild to fairly severe stomach irritation in some dogs. A few florets will not do that; half a head of broccoli might.
The two real risks: too much and the stalk
The AKC's chief veterinarian, Dr. Jerry Klein, says broccoli is considered safe when it makes up less than 10% of a dog's daily intake. Above that, the risk of gas, vomiting and diarrhea climbs, and some dogs react at smaller amounts than others, so start low.
The stalk is a separate hazard. Pieces of stem are dense and slippery and can block the esophagus, especially in small dogs that gulp. Either leave the stalks out or slice them into thin coins. Also skip broccoli that has been cooked with butter, cheese sauce, garlic, onion or seasoning salt.
How to serve broccoli to a dog
Wash it, cut the florets into bite-sized pieces and serve them plain. Lightly steamed broccoli is softer and easier on the stomach, while raw florets give a crunchier chew. Tufts University's Petfoodology team lists half a cup of chopped raw broccoli or a quarter cup of cooked as about 15 calories.
For a 10 lb dog, a bite-sized piece is about the size of a blueberry. Larger dogs can have florets about the size of a grape. Mixing a few steamed pieces into the usual meal is an easy way to add variety without adding many calories.
Spreading a few safe pieces across a snuffle mat or packing them into a puzzle toy turns a small treat into a few minutes of sniffing work.
How much broccoli by dog weight
Keep all treats together under about 10% of daily calories. As a guide for healthy adult dogs: under 20 lb, one or two small florets; 20–50 lb, three or four florets; over 50 lb, up to a small handful. Serve it two or three times a week rather than every day.
If your dog has never had broccoli, start with a single piece and wait a day. Gas is the most common reaction and is harmless but unpleasant to share a couch with. Loose stools mean the amount was too much for that dog.
Puppies and dogs with sensitive stomachs
Puppies can have a tiny piece of soft, steamed floret once they are settled on solid food. Their stomachs upset easily, and they are the most likely to swallow a lump whole, so cut it finely and leave the stalk out completely for now.
Dogs with a history of digestive trouble, or those on a prescription diet, should wait for a go-ahead from the vet. Broccoli is a gassy vegetable, and dogs prone to bloating, such as deep-chested large breeds, are better off with smaller amounts than a big bowl.
Signs it disagreed with them, and when to call a vet
Mild upset usually shows within a few hours: gas, a gurgling stomach, soft stools or a single vomit. It should settle within 24 hours with no more broccoli. Offer water and the normal food and keep an eye on your dog's energy.
Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea continues past a day, if you see blood, or if your dog seems in pain or will not eat. Gagging, drooling or retching after eating a stalk can mean a piece is stuck, and that needs to be seen the same day.
Other vegetables to try
If broccoli does not suit your dog, green beans, carrots, cucumber and zucchini are all plain, low-calorie choices with less gas. Cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are in the same family as broccoli and come with the same gassy caution. Never share vegetables from a dish cooked with onions or garlic.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can dogs eat broccoli stems?
Yes, but only sliced into thin coins or small pieces. A thick chunk of stem is the part most likely to choke a dog or lodge in the throat, especially in small breeds that swallow food quickly.
Is raw or cooked broccoli better for dogs?
Both are fine if plain. Steamed broccoli is softer and a little easier to digest, while raw florets are crunchier. Avoid any broccoli cooked with butter, oil, cheese, garlic or seasoning.
Can dogs eat broccoli every day?
It is better as a few-times-a-week treat. Daily broccoli in any real amount raises the chance of gas and stomach irritation, and it should never push treats past about 10% of daily calories.
Can dogs eat frozen broccoli?
Yes. Plain frozen florets can be thawed or lightly steamed and served the same way as fresh. Skip frozen mixes with sauces or seasonings, and cut pieces small for little dogs.
Why does broccoli give my dog gas?
Broccoli is high in fiber and sulfur-containing compounds that gut bacteria break down, which produces gas. Smaller portions, steaming and spacing it out over the week usually help.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
