Dos and Don’ts for Feeding Your Doggy Greens 

If you follow the news, you’ve likely heard about the recent multistate outbreak of Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite found on contaminated produce including lettuces and causing nasty, prolonged intestinal upset. While sources of the tainted greens are unclear at the time of writing this blog, it prompted us to wonder if dogs are susceptible to Cyclospora and what experts say about feeding dogs greens. 

The good news is that Cyclospora is believed to only infect humans and spread through human fecal matter. This means that dogs (or cats) cannot contract, harbor or pass Cyclospora.

So let them eat lettuces! Here’s what the American Kennel Club (AKC) says about giving greens to dogs:

Do

🥬 Plain romaine, iceberg and arugula lettuces are non-toxic and generally safe for dogs. 

🥬 Lettuces can be a good, lite and crunchy snack options for dogs. Given that they’re 90% water, the nutritional content in greens is somewhat low, but treating your dog with them in moderation is okay because they contain beta-carotene and fiber. 

🥬 Chopping lettuces up is better than handing your dog a whole leaf, especially for smaller dogs or those that are prone to gulping down their food.

🥬 Make sure you wash lettuces thoroughly before giving them to dogs. Even though lettuce contaminated with Cyclospora poses no threats to pups, E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, harmful bacteria that can also be found on produce, are something for everyone in your family to avoid, including dogs!  

Don’t

🥬 Don’t feed your dog Kale. It contains several potentially harmful natural compounds, including calcium oxalate — which could lead to kidney and bladder stones — and isothiocyanates, that can cause mild to potentially severe gastric irritation.

🥬 Beware of feeding your dog Spinach. It has some good qualities (large amounts of vitamins A, B, C, and K, which can help support dogs’ vision and immune health) but also contains oxalic acid, which blocks the body’s ability to absorb calcium and can lead to kidney damage. 

🥬 Stay away from sharing your leftover salad with your dog. Salads and dressing can include ingredients that are potentially harmful to dogs, such as onions, garlic, and tomatoes. 

🥬 Don’t feed lettuces as a meal. Too much lettuce can cause diarrhea. 

Frannie says, “While neither my brother Lyle nor I are big fans of eating greens, I know some dogs really like them. Our family canine friend Gustav loves lettuces (as did his other furry family members of blessed memory, Argus, Buckey, and Kirby). Their mom used to give lettuces to them as a treat when they were puppies, and the sound of the salad spinner was music to their ears!. Downtown Dogs and I hope the info in this blog helps dog parents feed lettuces as treats with confidence and without worry of Cyclospora.”

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The advice provided is based on many years of experience as dog parents and operators of one of the largest and longest established dog daycare and boarding facilities in the Twin Cities. Always consult your veterinarian. When not sharing advice, our dog bloggers — Frannie and Lyle — share a space with their people, Downtown Dogs and Dog’s Day Out owner Ralph Bernstein and his wife, Abbe.