Dogs consume both vegetables and meat since they are omnivores. The American Kennel Council (AKC) has approved the consumption of several green vegetables for dogs, including celery and spinach. But can dogs eat Swiss chard?
This healthy, leafy vegetable is related to kale and spinach. When eaten in large amounts, Swiss chard can hurt your kidneys because it contains a substance called Swiss chard.
In this post, we’ll examine if Swiss chard is safe for dogs and discuss the best ways to offer it to them.
Can Dogs Eat Swiss Chard?
Leafy vegetables are a favorite food of dogs, especially when combined with meat. Iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants are all found in green vegetables and are excellent for dogs.
Dogs (Canis familiaris), unlike other Canis species like wolves, need a good balance of meat and vegetables to maintain their bodies.
What Swiss Chard Components Can I Feed My Dog?
The stem of the Swiss chard may be eaten by your dog, but chop it into little pieces beforehand to prevent choking because the stalk is more difficult to swallow than the leaves.
Is Swiss chard safe for dogs?
Dogs can eat Swiss chard with no problems because they are omnivores.
Swiss Chard should only be given to dogs in moderation as it contains oxalates, a natural substance that, when taken in large quantities, can lead to health problems in dogs like:
- renal stones
- irregular heartbeats
- urethral blood
- Kidney Disease
According to research, heating veggies like swiss chard considerably reduces the amount of oxalate in them. According to the study, boiling leafy greens reduces oxalates by 30–87%[1].
Additionally, the rough stem of the Swiss chard needs to be sliced into bite-sized pieces since it might cause dogs to choke.
Swiss Chard Nutritional Value (boiled, drained, without salt)
- Nutrient Per 175g of chopped Swiss Chard
- Calories 35 kcal
- Total Fat 0.14 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 313 mg
- Carbohydrate 7.23 g
- Protein 3.29 g
- Fiber 2.1 g
- Calcium, Ca 102 mg
- Iron, Fe 3.96 mg
- Potassium, K 961 mg
- Zinc, Zn 0.578 mg
- Copper, Cu 0.285 mg
- Phosphorus, P 57.8 mg
- Manganese,Mg 0.585 mg
- Vitamin C 31.5 mg
- Vitamin A 536 µg
- Vitamin K 572 µg
- Vitamin E 3.31 mg
- Vitamin B-6 0.149 µg
- Panthothenic Acid 0.285 mg
Given that it provides elements necessary for preserving and enhancing their health, Swiss chard is advantageous to dogs.
Swiss chard is an excellent source of calcium, fiber, vitamin c, zinc, potassium, and other elements that are important for dogs’ general health. They have low levels of fatty acids and cholesterol.
Swiss chard is advantageous to dogs in a variety of ways:
First, the calcium and phosphorus in Swiss chard aid in the development of bones, metabolism, and other organ system functions [3].
Second, the vitamins C, A, K, E, and B-6 found in these green vegetables are crucial for your dog’s development, metabolism, immune system, and hormonal processes [4].
Third, fiber, a nutrient that boosts your dog’s metabolism, is present in swiss chard[5].
Chards also include a variety of vital elements that enhance the functioning of several organ systems.
Things to Consider When Feeding Swiss Chard to Dogs
Swiss chard should always be given to dogs with the following precautions taken:
To prevent choking incidents, cut the stem of the chard into bite-sized pieces.
Do not feed your dog large amounts of Swiss chard.
Vegetables, fruits, and grains should all be combined into your dog’s diet for it to remain healthy.
How Can I Safely Feed My Dog Swiss Chard?
Raw
Do the following to feed raw Swiss chard to your dogs:
- Spinach should be placed in a colander.
- Remove any chards that show wilting symptoms.
- Wash them off with running water.
- With your fingertips, gently clean the stem and leaves.
- Rewash them with running water.
- Make bite-sized cuts.
- Add chards to your dog’s food or put them in its dish.
- Allow your dog to devour its food.
Boiled
While there are alternative ways to prepare Swiss chard, boiling reduces the number of oxalates in the plants, protecting them from oxalate-related health issues.
Do the following to feed cooked swiss chard to your dogs:
- Take out any wilting Swiss chard from your garden.
- Chard must be washed with running water.
- Make bite-sized cuts.
- Swiss chard should be placed on a pan.
- Put enough water in it to cover the majority of the chard.
- The pot should be heated until the water boils.
- The chards should be boiled until the stem is soft.
- Remove the leftover water from the basin or add a few teaspoons.
- Add chards to your dog’s supper or put them in its dish.
- Let your dog eat its food.
Alternatives to Swiss Chard
Given that Swiss chard might be unhealthy when consumed in high quantities, dog owners can pick different foods for their dogs to eat.
Here are some wholesome vegetables you may give your dog:
- Lettuce
- Bok Choy Carrots
- Zucchini
- greens for a salad
- Belgian spuds
- Artichokes
- Cabbage
- RED CUCUMBERS
- Taro
Conclusion
If it is included in their usual diet, dogs can consume swiss chard. As long as it is consumed in moderation, it is safe to eat. This green vegetable includes several vital elements that support the wellness of your dog. It is a fantastic meal substitute for a dog on a diet because it is low in calories and fat.
Even though Swiss chard is healthy for dogs, too much might have negative health effects. Swiss chard can be substituted by dog owners for other vegetables like lettuce and broccoli.
FAQs
Can I give Rainbow Chard to my dog?
The only difference between rainbow chard and Swiss chard is that rainbow chard has a multicolored stem rather than a white one[6].
Can Dogs Eat Green Chard?
Swiss chard is also known as green chard. It is a leafy vegetable with a number of health advantages. Feed it to your dog in moderation because excessive consumption might have negative effects on their health.
Are kale and chard together healthy for dogs?
No. Even though both veggies are healthy for dogs, combining them will simply result in more oxalates being consumed by your dog. The risk of kidney-related issues increases with increasing oxalate levels.