It has a funny name and is nutritious, but can dogs eat rutabagas? Read this guide to learn more before sharing this vegetable with your furry friend.
Because rutabaga is a root vegetable, you might think it’s fine to add it to your dog’s diet. But before you introduce new foods like this to your dog, read this guide. We will look closely at what rutabagas are and how safe they are for dogs.
For ultimate pet safety, please ask your vet any questions you have regarding your dog eating rutabagas.
What is a Rutabaga
If you think it looks like a turnip, you’re right. A rutabaga is a root vegetable that’s a hybrid between a turnip and a cabbage. It’s not new – it originated way back in the 17th century. And it goes by another name – the Swedish turnip.
Since these Swedish turnips look just like turnips, how can you tell the difference?
Start by looking at the size and color.
Rutabagas are larger and have a yellowish tint to them. Turnips are smaller and have a reddish color to them. They taste different, too. They both taste like cabbages, but a rutabaga is slightly sweeter than a peppery turnip.
Health Benefits
Yes, rutabagas are a nutritious vegetable. There are 66 calories in each cup of raw rutabagas. Here is some more information about the nutritional value of rutabagas.
- Anti-oxidants that fight disease-causing free radicals
- Vitamin B which is known to boost energy levels.
- It is a good source of potassium and lowers the risk of stroke and high blood pressure.
- Vitamin C for the immune system
- High fiber that’s good for digestion and weight loss.
- Vitamin K that helps strengthen your dog’s bones.
As you can see, the nutritional value of rutabagas is pretty high.
Yes, It’s Safe For Dogs
Dog owners, the good news is that a rutabaga is safe for dogs to eat. It’s nontoxic and doesn’t contain anything that might make your fur baby sick.
The dietary fiber can be a good part of a balanced diet for your dog. There is nutritional benefit of feeding rutabaga to your dog, but in moderation.
The real danger of rutabaga is what it’s cooked with, how it’s cooked, and how much of it your dog eats. But if you give your dog a slice or two of raw or cooked rutabagas, it won’t hurt them at all.
That being said, it’s better to cook them. A raw rutabaga is safe, but it’s more difficult for your dog to digest them and it could give them digestive upset.
Moderation Is Important
Before you just start to give your dog a bowl of rutabagas, keep in mind what it is cooked with it and how much fiber your dog ate that day.
The biggest concern is the fiber. If dogs eat too much fiber, it can lead to stomach upset, like diarrhea and vomiting.
The fiber can be good if your dog has constipation. But if your canine companion has digestive issues like loose stools, don’t give them more fiber from the rutabagas.
It’s best to introduce new food to your dog slowly. Give them some small pieces, a little bit at a time and watch for adverse reactions. This will be easier on your dog’s stomach.
Cook Them First
You should also cook them before giving them to your dog. Raw rutabagas, especially the tough outer peel, are very difficult for dogs to digest. Dogs that eat raw rutabagas are at risk for gastrointestinal upset.
Cook them by boiling them or roasting them without any added salt and very little oil. Dogs don’t need extra spices added to their food. For more information, check out my guide for spices dogs can and cannot eat.
How Much To Give Your Dog
Since rutabaga is safe for your dog (and good for them too), how much should you give your dog? That depends on how much fiber your dog ate that day from all other sources (like carrots or peas).
The Dog Food Advisor suggests fiber from whole foods only making about 2.5-4.5% of their total calories. Figuring this out takes a bit of math. The Animal Medical Center of Chicago has a helpful table that outlines how many calories dogs need for their age and size.
For example, a 12 pound, healthy adult dog will need about 400 calories a day. So 3% of 400 calories is around 12 calories from fiber. It’s not much! And most dogs will get that much from their dog food or treats.
Final Thoughts
The short answer is that dogs can eat rutabagas. They are as nutritious as sweet potatoes and contain a lot of essential nutrients that pups need. Small amounts of rutabagas are safe to add to your dog’s diet as a treat. Just make sure that you only give your canine companions small portions of them so that the high fiber content doesn’t give them digestive issues.
More Dog Food Resources
Here are even more resources about different types of vegetables dogs can eat or ones harmful to dogs.
Find lots of articles about human food dogs can eat here on Spoiled Hounds!
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