Can Dogs Eat Zucchini? Yes, Plain Raw or Cooked

Why zucchini is safe for dogs

Zucchini is a summer squash that is mostly water, with some fiber, potassium and vitamins A and C. The AKC calls it perfectly safe for dogs in moderation, and a whole cup of raw zucchini has only about 20 calories.

That low calorie count is what makes it useful. A few pieces of zucchini can stand in for a richer treat, or add bulk to a meal for a dog on a weight-loss plan, with very little effect on the day's calorie total.

Seasoning and zucchini bread

The AKC warns against zucchini cooked with oils, salt or seasonings, and especially with garlic or onion. The ASPCA explains that garlic and onion damage a dog's red blood cells. Grilled zucchini from a cookout, zucchini fries and ratatouille usually contain at least one of those.

Zucchini bread and muffins are cakes rather than vegetables. They carry sugar, fat and often raisins or chocolate chips, and some low-sugar recipes use xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. If your dog ate a baked good containing xylitol, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 straight away; a fee may apply.

How to prepare zucchini for your dog

Wash the zucchini and trim off both ends. You can serve it raw, but chop it into small pieces rather than handing over a whole zucchini or a long stick, which can be a choking hazard. For a 10 lb dog, pieces the size of a blueberry are about right; for a large dog, half-inch rounds.

Steaming for three or four minutes softens it for older dogs or those with dental problems. You can also grate raw zucchini over your dog's food or freeze small chunks as a cooling summer snack.

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 zucchini by dog weight

Zucchini is light, but it still counts toward the 10 percent of daily calories set aside for treats. As a guide: under 20 lb, two or three small pieces; 20 to 50 lb, a quarter cup; over 50 lb, up to half a cup.

Start with less the first time, since the fiber can cause gas or soft stool in dogs that are not used to vegetables. If you use zucchini to bulk up a meal for weight loss, agree the plan with your vet so the overall diet stays balanced.

Zucchini for puppies

A weaned puppy can try a few small, soft pieces of plain cooked zucchini. Steamed zucchini is easy to mash, which makes it a gentle first vegetable for a young puppy's mouth and stomach.

Keep it occasional. Puppies need a complete puppy food to grow, and filling up on vegetables leaves less room for it. Offer a new food on its own so you can tell what caused any upset.

Signs zucchini disagreed with your dog

Too much zucchini can cause gas, a gurgling stomach or loose stool within a day. That usually settles on its own once you stop the extra vegetables and keep the regular diet the same.

Call your vet the same day if your dog swallowed a large piece and is gagging or retching, vomits repeatedly, stops eating, or ate zucchini dishes containing onion or garlic and seems weak, pale or breathless. Those signs need an exam rather than waiting.

Other squash and vegetables to try

Yellow summer squash follows the same rules as zucchini. Plain cooked pumpkin and butternut squash are also safe in small amounts, with the skin and seeds removed. Cucumbers and green beans are other low-calorie choices most dogs enjoy.

Avoid acorn squash or pumpkin that has been cooked with butter, brown sugar or spice blends, and never share pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and spices.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.