Can Dogs Eat Okra? A Vet’s Opinion
Okra is a vegetable that is eaten all over the world, especially in South Asian countries. These green vegetables have a grassy flavor and are fried, boiled, and roasted as well. Outside South Asia, Okra is also called lady finger. Okra provides a lot of nutrients and is generally low in calories, but can you feed Okra to your dog?
Yes, Okra is entirely safe for you to give to your dog as food. It would be best if you incorporate it in proper quantity into your dog’s diet. Okra is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Calcium, and Potassium.
Let’s dive in:
Benefits Of Okra For Dogs
Okra also provides many nutritional benefits to dogs, which is why you should consider adding it to your dog’s meal. Okra can be a fantastic substitute for protein since it has a high protein content. This vegetable is packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Some of the minerals and vitamins present in Okra are Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Protein, Folic Acid, Fiber, and antioxidants.
Folic Acid is an essential compound when it comes to a healthy functioning metabolism. Folic Acid is one of the primary ingredients needed to make red blood cells in the body. Similarly, magnesium also has a very distinct and essential role in your body. Imagine that your body can create proteins and ATPs. Hence there is energy to be used for processes, but there is a deficiency of magnesium. This means that the energy won’t be able to transfer from cell to cell, and the functions that a group of cells is supposed to perform won’t be possible. To blink your eye, think, speak, and for your heart to beat, there should be a transfer of energy, for which magnesium is essential. Okras are an excellent source of magnesium. Sodium and potassium are also vital minerals that are responsible for healthy nervous system signaling, muscle contraction, and heart function. Vitamins B and C also have critical roles in your dog’s immune responses. There are free radicals in your dog’s body, which might cause problems like cognitive aging and inflammatory response times. Vitamin C will help slow the inflammatory response and cognitive aging while freeing your body of these free radicals. Vitamin B, on the other hand, is essential for a healthy functioning metabolism and promoting cell growth. This vitamin also functions are a coenzyme in a process that converts carbohydrates into glucose and releases energy. Lastly, calcium and potassium have their vital roles to perform as well; both are highly important for bone formation and repair. Potassium, as we have talked about, is vital for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and fluid balance!
How To Safely Give Okra To Dogs
There are different ways you can give Okra to your dogs. The best way is to give them Okra on designated days of the week to add more variety to their diet and not make it boring. Giving your dog okra every day of the week will make them gaseous, like most vegetables. Gas, indigestion, and bloating are some of the adverse effects of overeating Okra.
Moreover, Dogs can eat raw Okra as well; make sure it is clean. Since raw Okra is a bit chewy, it can serve as an excellent dental hygiene thing. Okra can be cooked for your dog as well to be mixed with other food items. However, we must ask you to avoid giving fried Okra to your dog. Fried Okra contains unnecessary calories and fat content, which is not suitable for your dog. You should also not add seasonings to your Okra when you are preparing it for your dog. Okra, should not have any garlic or onion as well since both of these things can cause anemia in your dogs. The best way to give your dog Okra is to steam it. Steamed Okra can be very beneficial for your dog. Moreover, make sure to cut the Okra into small pieces since it is a bit sticky and slimy and could cause a choking hazard to your dog!
Will Okra Make A Dog Sick?
Okra does not have many risks associated with it. Hence it would be best if you only looked at how you give Okra to your dog and not the vegetable itself. Ensure that you do not give canned Okra to your dog for convenience since canned foods are not suitable for dogs due to the added preservatives. If your dog has hyperthyroidism, we will recommend you not give Okra to them. Since, Okras have an enzyme that can create hurdles for their thyroid glands to create hormones, further worsening their health.
Apart from this, Okras are not generally a health risk. You should monitor and control the amount, method of delivery, and other factors to ensure Okras are not a risk to your dog. Like most vegetables, if taken in large quantities, Okras can contribute to an upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea. All of these things are painful for your dogs and may take days and visits to the vet, depending on the severity of the case. Hence, will it is good to add Okra to your dog’s diet; it is equally important to look at any untoward or usual symptoms from your dog after they have eaten the vegetable. Some plants are known to cause allergic reactions in dogs; Okra is no exception. Plant allergy can cause many different symptoms, which range from, swelling of the face to difficulty breathing and vomiting. If your dog experiences symptoms after eating Okra, we suggest you take it to a vet as soon as possible!
Vet’s Summary
Okra is an entirely safe vegetable that you can incorporate into your dog’s meals. Okras are abundant in a variety of minerals and vitamins, which serve many purposes. They are needed to maintain the immune system, transfer energy, and maintain a healthy metabolism, among other essential tasks. Some of the minerals and vitamins in Okra are Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Protein, Folic Acid, Fiber, and antioxidants. The safest way to give Okra to your dog is to steam it. This will ensure that it is cooked and can be easily mixed with the food. Raw Okra can be given to your dogs as well since it is a bit chewy and good for your dog to nibble on. However, make sure not to season the Okra with seasonings or add any onion or garlic to it. This will upset your dog’s stomach. Overeating Okra can result in gas, diarrhea, or bloating, as is regularly seen with vegetables. Hence, we can safely say Okra will not make your dog sick. However, you should monitor and limit the quantity of Okra your dog eats and how you prepare it for them! Apart from Okra, Probiotics are also very important for your canine friends! Probiotics are essentially healthy bacteria that are responsible for a healthy gut! You should add some probiotics to your dogs’ diet to help them clear off any gut problems or digestive issues they might face with age! Probiotics can also help fight digestive issues, such as diarrhea and constipation, and reduce the risk of infections. However, you should always consult your local veterinarian in deciding which supplements and probiotics will be beneficial for your pet friend!
Videos To Watch
If you are wondering that okra is good to give your dog or not, watch this:
And if you want to know what a dog can NOT eat, watch this:
