Can I give my dog radish?

When sharing the occasional salad with the family dog, you may wonder about including raw radish. This spicy, sometimes bitter, root vegetable is surprisingly asked about quite often by pet parents.

There are many varieties and flavors of radish and, luckily, none are toxic for dogs. But that doesn’t make it a good choice for canines. Let’s take a closer look at sharing this strong tasting crunchy veggie with furry friends.

While not harmful, the radish isn’t one of the more nutritious foods from Mother Nature. You can expect your dog to be a bit gassy after eating some. A slight stomachache is also a possibility, especially if a considerable amount was eaten.

Can I Give My Dog a Radish? Answer: Not Recommended

This common vegetable isn’t dangerous, but it’s lacking in desirable nutrients.

Providing your dog with a radish isn’t the worst idea in the world, but there are certainly better feeding options. When you think of veggies, there are so many better choices compared to radish. It’s difficult to consider this food as healthy for dogs, even for humans. Fido may like the crunchiness of radish, but that’s not reason enough to share.

Did you come here because your dog already ate some radish? Don’t worry, they’ll be just fine.

Not Raving about Radish

Perhaps the biggest benefit that the radish has going for it is the moderately high levels of Vitamin C. It’s very surprising to some but dogs actually produce this on their own, which makes radishes in a canine diet even less attractive.

Another positive attribute is the fact that this root veggie is low in calories. However, there are many other vegetables which can claim the same but with more nutritional value. Your dog may not even like the taste of radish!

It’s Crunchy, Spicy, Bitter

There’s a debate about whether raw radish is actually spicy or not. It can have a taste of spiciness, and so that could be another reason to withhold the radish from your dog.

Video: CUTE PUPPY sized chihuahua loves RADISHES

The real reason for such a sharp flavor is the plant’s chemical compounds including myrosinase, isothiocyanate and glucosinolate. When your radish was harvested, early or late, can also be a factor.

Pungent & Not for Pugs

Your dog doesn’t care but there are many different types of this common root. It’s no wonder opinions on taste wildly differ. With such a pungent flavor, it’s curious why people eat Raphanus sativus which is the scientific name for radish.

We aren’t trying to beat up on this commonly cultivated crop, but it really isn’t a great food choice for pet dogs.

About Those Tossed Salads

Instead of shredded radish mixed in with a tossed salad, you and your dog would be much better off adding shredded carrots or even some sliced cucumbers. Those are just two excellent examples that are nutritionally superior.

Video: Amazing Ball-Bopping Whippet - 15 Bops for Radish

Those healthy vegetables are also more likely to sit well with your dog’s stomach. As a rule of thumb, whenever you provide humans foods to Fido, try to give quality vitamins and minerals instead of simply filling their tummy.

Conclusion on Radish

There’s nothing toxic about giving your dog a bit of radish, cooked or raw. We just don’t think it’s a great feeding choice. Minor stomachache and flatulence may be factors but, more importantly, this vegetable lacks nutrition. Either a spicy or bitter taste, the only health benefit is the vitamin C. Dogs happen to produce their own. When sharing a fresh salad with your buddy, consider veggies other than radish.

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