Can my dog eat broccoli?
Can dogs eat broccoli?In moderation
Raw or cooked, unseasoned, only a few small pieces; chop stalks finely or leave them out.
Yes, dogs can eat broccoli, raw or cooked, but only unseasoned and in very small amounts. The florets contain isothiocyanates, which irritate the stomach in some dogs, and the high fibre content causes wind. Chop the stalks very finely or leave them out, as they can get stuck in the oesophagus. Broccoli with butter, cheese sauce or garlic doesn't belong in the bowl.
How much broccoli can your dog eat?
Enter the weight – the amount updates straight away. You can adjust age, activity and neutering below.
How the calculator works
- Daily requirement: Resting energy requirement 70 × 15 kg^0.75 ≈ 534 kcal × factor 1.6 ≈ 855 kcal.
- Treat allowance: at most 10% of that = 86 kcal for all treats combined.
- Calorie limit: 86 kcal ÷ 34 kcal/100 g = 253 g of broccoli.
- Guide value for dogs 10–25 kg: 3 × broccoli piece (2.5 cm wide, ½ cm thick) at 2.5 g each = 8 g (guide value from the source).
- Recommendation: the smaller of the two, rounded down to half portions → 3 × 2.5 g = 7 g ≈ 2 kcal.
Sources: 10% rule from the WSAVA guide to treats · kcal value: USDA FoodData Central. Daily requirement as in the dog calorie calculator.
Result · 15 kg · Adult
Up to 3
× broccoli piece (2.5 cm wide, ½ cm thick) on a snack day
(≈ 7 g, 2 kcal)
How often: As a small snack – all treats together should make up no more than 10% of daily calories. Chewy gives the guide amounts in the calculator as a daily amount, while the AKC advises very small amounts. If your dog doesn't tolerate broccoli well, leave it out.
Treat allowance 86 kcal (10% of 855 kcal) · 1 broccoli piece (2.5 cm wide, ½ cm thick) ≈ 2.5 g
Limited by: guide value
Here the guide value for dogs 10–25 kg sets the limit (guide value from the source): at most 3 × broccoli piece (2.5 cm wide, ½ cm thick). In terms of calories, up to 253 g would be possible.
Based on Chewy (vet-reviewed): up to 9 kg, 1–3 small pieces of approx. 1.3 cm (here ½ piece); 10–23 kg, 3–4 pieces and 23–41 kg, 5–6 pieces 2.5 cm wide – in each case the lower end. Grams per piece estimated.
This applies if it's the only snack that day – if your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
The app calculates recipes in grams, kcal and portions to suit your dog's weight, age, activity and allergies.Broccoli for dogs: amount by weight
| Weight | Maximum per snack day | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | ½ broccoli piece (2.5 cm wide, ½ cm thick)≈ 1 g | ≈ 0 |
| 10 kg | ½ broccoli piece (2.5 cm wide, ½ cm thick)≈ 1 g | ≈ 0 |
| 20 kg | 3 × broccoli piece (2.5 cm wide, ½ cm thick)≈ 7 g | ≈ 2 |
| 30 kg | 5 × broccoli piece (2.5 cm wide, ½ cm thick)≈ 12 g | ≈ 4 |
| 40 kg | 5 × broccoli piece (2.5 cm wide, ½ cm thick)≈ 12 g | ≈ 4 |
- All snacks together no more than 10% of daily calories (WSAVA recommendation). If your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
- Guide value per weight class – small up to 10 kg, medium 10–25 kg, large over 25 kg: Based on Chewy (vet-reviewed): up to 9 kg, 1–3 small pieces of approx. 1.3 cm (here ½ piece); 10–23 kg, 3–4 pieces and 23–41 kg, 5–6 pieces 2.5 cm wide – in each case the lower end. Grams per piece estimated.
Emergency note
Too much broccoli, or swallowed a piece of stalk?
A lot of broccoli in one go can irritate the stomach: the florets contain isothiocyanates, and the fibre causes wind. A large piece of stalk can get stuck in the oesophagus or block the gut, especially in small dogs. Watch whether your dog shows signs of an upset stomach.
Possible symptoms
- Reduced or no appetite
- Tiredness
- Seems low or unwell
- Swallowing noticeably or licking its lips, the air or objects
- Vomiting
- Severe diarrhoea
- Blood in vomit or faeces
- Weakness or collapse
- Seems to be choking
When to see a vet?
If your dog shows any of these signs, call your vet straight away. If it seems to be choking on a piece, contact your vet or the emergency vet service immediately.
From what amount?
The AKC quotes its chief veterinary officer, Dr Jerry Klein: broccoli is considered safe if the total amount eaten is less than 10% of daily food intake; more than 25% is considered toxic. The AKC doesn't say whether this refers to weight or calories. Measured against daily calories, the guide amounts in the calculator make up less than 1%.
In an emergency: call your vet or an animal hospital
Outside opening hours, an emergency vet service or an animal hospital can help. Note down the amount, the time and the packaging, and don't try to make your dog vomit yourself. Poison information centres mainly advise on poisoning in people and only help with animals when they have capacity – the first point of contact for your dog is your vet.
What's in it
- Low in calories: raw, around 34 kcal and 0.4 g of fat per 100 g.
- Provides fibre (2.6 g per 100 g), vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and folic acid.
- According to Chewy, a good snack for dogs that need to lose weight, as the fibre keeps them full for longer.
- According to PetMD, most of the nutrients are retained when broccoli is raw or briefly steamed; longer cooking loses some of them.
What to watch out for
- The florets contain isothiocyanates. The AKC's chief veterinary officer, Dr Jerry Klein, warns that they can cause mild to serious stomach irritation in some dogs.
- Broccoli causes wind: the high fibre content and the isothiocyanates can lead to flatulence and an upset stomach. If it gives your dog diarrhoea or wind, Chewy advises calling your vet.
- According to the AKC, stalks can get stuck in the oesophagus, especially in small dogs; PetMD also warns of intestinal blockage.
- Broccoli isn't for puppies: their digestion isn't fully developed yet, and the high fibre content can cause problems. PetMD therefore advises against it.
- Butter, oil, cream or cheese sauce make broccoli unsuitable. Dairy products can cause diarrhoea, because dogs largely lack lactase, and a high-fat meal can trigger pancreatitis in some cases.
- Broccoli cooked with garlic or onions is off limits: both are toxic to dogs and can damage red blood cells. Salt doesn't belong on it either.
- Frozen stalks are very hard and can cause further damage to the teeth of dogs with dental disease.
- As with any food, an allergy is possible. Chewy lists diarrhoea, vomiting, itchy skin and difficulty breathing; in that case, your dog needs to see the vet immediately.
How to prepare broccoli
How to do it
- Wash the broccoli thoroughly
- Cut the florets into small, bite-sized pieces
- Give it raw, or briefly steam or boil it, without salt, butter, oil or seasoning
- Let cooked broccoli cool down
- If your dog has dental problems, give it cooked rather than raw
- The first time, give just a small piece and see how your dog tolerates it
Better not
- Whole stalks or large pieces of stalk, especially for small dogs
- Broccoli with butter, oil, cream or cheese sauce
- Broccoli prepared with garlic, onions, salt or spices
- Broccoli soup or broccoli bake from the table
- Hard, frozen stalks for dogs with dental problems
- Broccoli for puppies
How often?
As a small snack – all treats together should make up no more than 10% of daily calories. Chewy gives the guide amounts in the calculator as a daily amount, while the AKC advises very small amounts. If your dog doesn't tolerate broccoli well, leave it out.
Frequently asked questions about broccoli
Can dogs eat raw broccoli?
Yes. Wash the florets thoroughly and cut them into small pieces. Raw broccoli is harder than cooked; if your dog has dental problems and pain when chewing, Chewy says it's better to give it cooked.
Can dogs eat cooked broccoli?
Yes, boiled or steamed, without salt, butter, oil or seasoning. According to PetMD, briefly steamed broccoli keeps more nutrients than broccoli that has been boiled for a long time. Let it cool before it goes in the bowl.
Can dogs eat broccoli stalks?
The stalk isn't toxic, but it is hard. According to the AKC, it can get stuck in the oesophagus, especially in small dogs, and PetMD warns of intestinal blockage. It's safest to leave it out; otherwise, cut it into very small pieces.
Can dogs eat frozen broccoli?
Yes, Chewy mentions frozen broccoli too. Frozen stalks are very hard, though, and can cause further damage to the teeth of dogs with dental disease. Frozen broccoli in butter or cream sauce isn't suitable.
Can puppies eat broccoli?
Better not. Puppies' digestion isn't fully developed yet, and the high fibre content of broccoli can cause problems. PetMD therefore advises against giving puppies broccoli, and Chewy also writes that cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli could do puppies more harm than good.
Can dogs eat broccoli with cheese sauce or butter, or broccoli soup?
No. Dogs don't tolerate cheese and cream well, and a lot of fat can trigger pancreatitis. Soups and bakes are off limits because they can contain salt, onions or garlic; onions and garlic are toxic to dogs. Only give plain broccoli.
Can dogs eat broccoli and cauliflower?
Yes, both in small, unseasoned pieces. However, the AKC names broccoli and cauliflower as vegetables that cause wind in larger amounts. If you give both, split the amount rather than giving the full guide amount of each.
Can my dog eat broccoli every day?
Chewy gives the small guide amounts in the calculator as a daily amount, as long as all treats together stay below 10% of daily calories. The AKC advises only ever giving broccoli in very small amounts. If it gives your dog wind, give it less often or leave it out.
How much broccoli is toxic to dogs?
The AKC quotes Dr Jerry Klein: below 10% of daily food intake, broccoli is considered safe; above 25%, it's considered toxic. The AKC doesn't say whether this refers to weight or calories. According to the AKC, some dogs react more strongly than others, so start with a small piece. Measured against daily calories, the guide amounts in the calculator make up less than 1%.
Why does broccoli give my dog wind?
Broccoli is high in fibre, and the isothiocyanates in the florets can irritate the stomach; both can cause wind. If severe wind comes on suddenly, or diarrhoea, abdominal pain or blood in the stool appear as well, your dog needs to see the vet.
How many calories are in broccoli?
Raw, around 34 kcal and 2.6 g of fibre per 100 g. Broccoli barely counts towards the 10% limit for treats: a 10 kg dog with normal needs can have around 63 kcal a day from treats. Here, it's tolerance rather than calories that limits the amount. Your dog's daily needs are worked out at doggomeal.de/en/kalorienbedarf-hund-rechner.
Can my dog be allergic to broccoli?
Yes, as with any food. According to PetMD, a food allergy develops through repeated exposure and usually shows on the skin and ears. Vomiting or diarrhoea after the first taste of broccoli points more towards an intolerance. If your dog has difficulty breathing, it needs to see the vet immediately.
Can a dog with kidney disease eat broccoli?
Only after checking with your vet. According to VCA, there are special kidney diets with less phosphorus, sodium and protein for dogs with chronic kidney disease. If your dog is on a prescription diet from the vet, PetMD says nothing should be given outside that diet – not even treats.
Similar foods
- YesVegetablesCauliflowerRaw or cooked, without butter, sauce or seasoning, in small pieces; leave out the stalk and leaves.See the answer
- In moderationVegetablesKohlrabiPeeled, unseasoned, ideally cooked or finely grated.See the answer
- In moderationVegetablesSpinachCooked, chopped, unseasoned; with kidney problems or bladder stones, ask your vet first.See the answer
- In moderationVegetablesPeasFresh, frozen or cooked without salt; no tinned peas and no pea soup.See the answer
- YesVegetablesCarrotRaw or cooked, without salt, butter or seasoning, in small pieces; not carrot cake.See the answer
- YesVegetablesCourgetteRaw or cooked, without oil or seasoning; never feed courgettes that taste bitter.See the answer
Sources
- Can Dogs Eat Broccoli? – American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Can Dogs Eat Broccoli? – PetMD (vet-reviewed)
- Can Dogs Eat Broccoli? – Chewy (vet-reviewed)
- Why Does My Dog Fart So Much? Causes, Treatments, and Ways to Reduce Gas – American Kennel Club (AKC)
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets – ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Pancreatitis in Dogs – VCA Animal Hospitals
- Nutrition for Dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease – VCA Animal Hospitals
- Broccoli, raw (SR Legacy, FDC 170379) – USDA FoodData Central
- Feeding treats to your dog – WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee (10% rule in the calculator)
Reviewed on · DoggoMeal editorial team
This page is no substitute for veterinary advice. Dogs with pre-existing conditions – for example of the kidneys, liver or pancreas, or with diabetes – and dogs with allergies often need their own rules. If your dog has symptoms or you're unsure, ask your vet.
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