Can Dogs Have Spinach?

In this article: 

• Is spinach safe for dogs?
• What’s the best way to prepare spinach for a dog?
• How much spinach can you feed a dog?
• How is spinach used in complete and balanced dog food?
• Which dogs should not eat spinach?

Can dogs eat spinach? The short answer is yes. Most healthy dogs can have spinach in small, occasional portions as a treat when it’s prepared properly, or as part of a complete and balanced food. Here are the details.

Is spinach safe for dogs?

Small amounts of plain, cooked spinach can be fine as a treat for healthy adult dogs. The vegetable contains vitamins A, C, and K, plus folate, magnesium, and fiber.

If your dog has had calcium oxalate bladder stones or a high blood calcium level, avoid feeding them spinach as an extra. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or already suffers from bloating and gas, you may want to limit spinach intake. If you are unsure, speak to your veterinarian about which foods your dog can eat, and in what quantities.

What’s the best way to prepare spinach for a dog?

Cooking spinach significantly reduces its oxalate content while preserving essential nutrients—but talk to your veterinarian about which foods are right for your dog.

Here are some tips if you’re cooking spinach for your dog:

• Cook lightly: steam or blanch plain spinach until just wilted; allow to cool.
• Keep it plain: no oil, butter, dairy, salt, garlic, onion, or seasonings.
• Chop finely and mix a spoonful into a complete meal as an occasional topper.
• Choose cooked over raw; skip canned due to high sodium content.
• Rinse leaves thoroughly; choose fresh or frozen over seasoned options.
• Stop if you notice vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, or gas, and contact your veterinarian for support.
• Always ask your vet before feeding your dog any kind of new food.

How much spinach can you feed a dog?

In addition to the restrictions above, remember to follow the “10% rule” for treats and other extras in general. Keep all foods other than your dog’s complete and balanced food under 10% of their daily calories. Talk to your veterinarian about what this means for your dog.

How is spinach used in complete and balanced dog food?

When appropriate proportions of spinach or other leafy greens are included in a complete and balanced dog food, the overall recipe meets dogs’ needs for daily feeding. This is the case with The Farmer’s Dog, where all of our recipes are formulated by on-staff, board-certified nutritionists.

Which dogs should not eat spinach?

Avoid spinach as an extra for dogs with prior calcium oxalate bladder stones, or those who have high blood calcium levels diagnosed by a veterinarian.

If your dog shows any unusual signs after trying spinach, call your veterinarian. And, as always, talk to your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet. They’re the person who’s best qualified to guide decisions about your dog’s health.

The bottom line

Healthy dogs can have small, occasional portions of plain, cooked spinach as a topper, kept within the “10% rule.” For everyday nutrition, a complete and balanced food, formulated by on-staff, board-certified nutritionists, should be your dog’s primary diet.