Can my dog eat parsnip?
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Most people end up with a leftover parsnip or two following a Sunday roast, but are these safe to give to your dog? The good news is that this delicious and nutrient-rich root vegetable is not toxic to our pets, but there are still a few things you should consider.
Table of contents
Can dogs eat parsnips?
Yes, dogs can safely eat parsnips if you take some sensible precautions.
Raw parsnips are quite tough, so they could be tricky for some dogs to tackle (especially puppies). Large chunks of raw parsnip could also be a choking hazard for any dog, but especially for small or brachycephalic breeds , so they are best served cooked. Your dog will be able to digest this vegetable and benefit from its nutrition much more easily this way.
When offering parsnip to your pet you should also ensure that it is served plain and unseasoned. Parsnips that are covered in spices, butter or creamy sauces can cause digestive upsets in our pets, so are best avoided. Also, bear in mind that some added ingredients like garlic can be toxic to dogs.
So, parsnips can be enjoyed by dogs if they are served cooked, plain and unseasoned. As with any vegetable, they should also be fed in moderation to avoid digestive upset.
Are parsnips good for dogs?
Dogs are omnivorous which means that they need to get their nutrition from a mixture of vegetables, meats and grains.
Parsnip is a vegetable that contains a variety of nutrients which can be beneficial to your dog’s health. These include an array of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre. Parsnips are also low in calories which is good news if you are watching your dog’s waistline. Let’s look at some of these key nutrients in more detail.
Nutrient |
Health benefit |
Fibre |
Fibre is essential for digestive health. It helps with healthy bowel movements, allowing dogs to produce good quality stools. Diets high in fibre can also help pets feel fuller for longer which can help with weight management. |
Folate (vitamin B9) |
This is essential for normal metabolic health, DNA repair and synthesis and red blood cell production. |
Vitamin C |
While dogs produce their own vitamin C and don’t need external sources, a little boost is no bad thing. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is essential for immunity and wound healing. |
Vitamin E |
This vitamin is essential in maintaining healthy skin and eyes. |
Vitamin K |
Vitamin K regulates blood clotting in the body. |
Potassium |
This mineral is essential for the correct functioning of nerves and muscles (including the heart). |
Manganese |
Manganese is an important component of many enzymes found around the body including ones that help with digestion and wound healing. |
Nutrient |
Health benefit |
Fibre |
Fibre is essential for digestive health. It helps with healthy bowel movements, allowing dogs to produce good quality stools. Diets high in fibre can also help pets feel fuller for longer which can help with weight management. |
Folate (vitamin B9) |
This is essential for normal metabolic health, DNA repair and synthesis and red blood cell production. |
Vitamin C |
While dogs produce their own vitamin C and don’t need external sources, a little boost is no bad thing. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is essential for immunity and wound healing. |
Vitamin E |
This vitamin is essential in maintaining healthy skin and eyes. |
Vitamin K |
Vitamin K regulates blood clotting in the body. |
Potassium |
This mineral is essential for the correct functioning of nerves and muscles (including the heart). |
Manganese |
Manganese is an important component of many enzymes found around the body including ones that help with digestion and wound healing. |
How much parsnip can a dog eat?
As a general guideline, any one vegetable that you add to your pet’s existing diet should not make up more than 10% of the dogs’ daily calorie intake, and vegetables as a whole should not exceed 30% of their daily intake , but this will vary between breed, age and size of your dog. Adding too many extra veggies, especially of one type, could create dietary imbalances and lead to tummy troubles for some dogs.
Our recipes have been carefully formulated to take this into account ensuring optimum balanced nutrition.
What other vegetables can dogs eat?
Many other vegetables are safe for dogs to enjoy. As with parsnips, these should be fed occasionally and as part of a balanced diet.
- Sweet potato
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Peas
- Green beans
- Peppers
- Courgette
- Pumpkin
- Broccoli
Summary
Parsnips are not only tasty, but they are packed with essential nutrients that can help to maintain your pet’s health. This is the reason why we use this vegetable in our recipes, alongside other nutritious whole-food ingredients. If you have any questions about our meals or the ingredients that they contain, then don’t hesitate to contact us.
FAQs
Can dogs eat parsnip skin?
Parsnip skin contains many nutrients and is safe for dogs to eat if the parsnip has been washed of any chemicals or dirt first. Peelings can be offered as well as parsnips cooked with their skin still on.
Can dogs eat raw parsnips?
Technically yes, dogs can eat raw parsnips and many dogs enjoy their crunchy texture. However, they may be too hard for puppies to tackle and could also present a choking hazard in small or flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds. You will find that your dog digests them more easily when served cooked.
Can dogs eat cooked parsnips?
Yes, dogs can eat cooked parsnips as long as they are served plain and unseasoned. Too much butter, salt, spices or other flavourings could cause digestive upset, so these should be avoided. Cooked parsnips are one of the nutritious vegetables that we include in our fresh food recipes for adult dogs .
Can dogs eat honey-roasted parsnips?
Dogs can eat honey-roasted parsnips, but these should only be offered as an occasional treat due to their high sugar content. If fed in excess these could lead to weight gain. Extra care should also be taken with diabetic dogs.
Can puppies eat parsnips?
Puppies can tolerate parsnips if they have been cooked. Their delicate teeth will struggle with raw parsnips, so plain cooked parsnips should be offered instead. Puppy nutrition needs to be carefully managed to support their growth and development, so make sure you are feeding a complete puppy food diet that meets their health needs.
About the author
Dr. Becky
Rebecca MacMillan – BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS
Rebecca is a companion animal vet who graduated from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009. Since then, she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever, George!
