Yes, dogs can eat bok choy as long as it is fed in moderation. When introducing bok choy to your dog, start giving your dog a tiny piece of bok choy to check for allergies.
Table of Contents
What is Bok Choy?
Bok choy is a nutritious Chinese cabbage that has been cultivated in China for over 5000 years. Bok choy was introduced in North America in the 19th Century. “Bok choy” means “soup spoon” in Chinese due to its shape and “white cabbage” in Cantonese.
A single cup of raw bok choy contains the following nutrients:
Calories: 9
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 2 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 1 g
Is Bok Choy Safe For Dogs?
Bok choy is safe for dogs as long as it is fed in moderation and precautions are taken. Bok choy has large leaves, making it difficult for your dog to chew, risking choking. Therefore, you should always cut bok choy into small pieces before feeding it to your dog.
Why is Bok Choy Good For Dogs?
Bok choy is good for dogs because it contains the following nutrients:
Fiber: As bok choy is high in fiber, it can help your dog with constipation or other digestive issues.
Vitamin B6 and Folate: Vitamin B6 and folate help maintain the heart health of dogs.
Vitamin A: Vitamin A is good for their eyes’ development and prevents a decline in the eyesight of dogs.
Antioxidants: Bok choy contains antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin that help in the betterment of eyesight.
Vitamin K: Vitamin K helps in the absorption of calcium. Calcium helps in maintaining your dog’s bone health.
Vitamin C: It also has lots of vitamin C, which boosts your dog’s immune system.
High in Water Content: Bok choy is also high in water content. So, it is apt for keeping the dog hydrated.
Why is Bok Choy Bad For Dogs?
As bok choy is high in fiber content, feeding excessive amounts can lead to diarrhea in dogs.
Your dog can easily overdose on vitamins if not fed in moderation.
Symptoms of excessive vitamin A include weight loss, lethargy, stiffness, and constipation.
Unnecessary vitamin B6 can make your dog light sensitive.
If your dog overdoses on vitamin C, it is likely to experience bloating or diarrhea.
How much Bok Choy to feed your Dog?
It is best if your dog is fed tiny amounts of bok choy as an occasional treat.
How to Serve Bok Choy to your Dog
Many vegetables are exposed to dirt, chemicals, and harmful bacteria in the field. Therefore, the leaves should be washed thoroughly before being served to your dogs. Cut the bok choy leaves into small pieces before feeding them, as your dog can choke on large leaves. The stem of bok choy does not have nutritional benefits. So, it’s recommended you stick to the greens and remove the stem.
Other ways to serve bok choy to your dog include:
Shredded raw in a salad
Steamed
Incorporated into a stir-fry
Braised
Grilled
Added to soups or stews
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, bok choy can be given to your dogs as long as it is fed in moderation. Its nutrients are beneficial for dogs. However, excessive consumption of bok choy can cause diarrhea and vitamin toxicity in your dogs.
