If you are a health-conscious dog parent, then you keep trying to introduce healthy veggies to your dog, and that is fine. But the canine digestive system is not a pro in handling greens with excellent efficiency, so no matter how beneficial the veggies are for dogs, it is better to offer them in moderation.
However, there are plenty of veggies that offer a handful of nutritional value to your dog—for example, okra. You may ask, “Can dogs eat okra?” yes! Okra is safe for dogs, but it is better to serve in small quantities and moderation.
Okra in multiple roles
Okra is the native and oldest cultivated crop in Ethiopia. The plant is multipurpose; each part of it serves a different purpose. For example, the plant itself is used in ayurvedic treatment, while the pods are eaten raw or cooked. Even the pods could be turned into flour.
Seeds of okra are roasted and used as decaffeinated coffee. Okra started its journey from Ethiopia, but now it is cultivated globally in Europe, Africa, Asia and America.
Is okra safe for my dog?
If you ask, ‘can dogs eat okra?’, we suggest giving them only occasionally when properly prepared. Okra itself is not toxic to dogs; even if they swallow the seeds, it will not harm them.
Your pupper might tolerate some foods, which you might think are good for them, but they are not. Let us dive deeper to look at how far okra is healthy for dogs and the risk factors, if there is any!
Health benefits of okra
One of the frequently asked questions is, ‘can dogs eat okra?’ Well, okra is exceptionally rich in proteins, fibres, fatty acids and antioxidants. The fibres okra contains come in both soluble and insoluble forms. The insoluble fibres are good for the gastrointestinal tract. Okra is high in carbohydrates, vitamins, calcium and potassium. In addition to these, okra is used to remedy ulcers and inflammation.
However, according to researchers, the only to keep the nutritional values of okra intact is to cook it very quickly in low heat or steam. Humans eat okra in various forms, such as in a salad, stew, soup, fried or even boiled. But how to serve it to our paw friends? Which form is safer for them! Let’s see.
Raw okra for dogs
Can dogs eat okra? Yes! Can dogs have raw okra?
If your pup does not show any repulsion to raw okra, then they can safely munch on some raw cubes of okra. Both humans and dogs can eat okra raw; it is entirely safe.
Cooked okra for dogs
Cooked okra is undoubtedly a safe choice for dogs since it is not fried and seasoned with toxic ingredients. Garlic, chilli, onion and other mainstream spices are toxic to dogs, but they are the staple ingredients for seasoning and flavour. When it comes to your pup’s diet or treat, keep it simple—no need to season or add toxic ingredients to make a good flavour. Your dog’s meal is supposed to be healthy, not fancy.
Fried okra for dogs
Can dogs eat okra if it is fried? No, dogs are not supposed to eat anything which is fried. All fried food contain oil or butter and salt, and none is suitable for dogs. Also, frying reduces the existing calorie of that particular food; hence when you offer your pup any fried item, you are feeding them something with barely any nutritional value.
Can dogs eat okra if they are pickled? No pickled food item is suitable for dogs, nor okra. Pickled okra contains more oils, salt and spices than fried one, which means if fried food is unhealthy for dogs, pickled form is the highest limit. Hence, no food in fried or pickled form is recommended for dogs.
Can dogs eat okra with seeds? No part of okra is specifically toxic to dogs. If your pup swallows some okra seeds, do not need to worry, it is safe for them.
Serving ideas
You can give your dog okra raw or cooked. 4-5 small chunks of raw okra at a time is good for dogs. For cooking instructions, boil it well and serve them fresh. Make it as simple as possible. Do not try any fancy flavour or form that might make your dog sick for a couple of days.
If you introduce okra to your pup, give them a small portion first (raw or boiled) and monitor the next 24 hours for any adverse reaction.
Risk factors with okra
Can dogs eat okra? They can, but too many veggies in your dog’s diet might cause them diarrhoea, stomach upset, gas and other digestive issues.
- First, make sure the okra you want to give your pupper is not salted, seasoned or buttered.
- Never feed your dog fried food. Their digestive system is not as developed as humans. Fried okra or fried food will make them overweight and lead to high blood pressure and heart diseases.
- Let it be okra or any other food, be always cautious when introducing food to your dog. Similarly to humans, dogs too have allergy issues with specific food items. Some people are allergic to okra, and unfortunately, your dog might show allergic reactions widely later in his life.
Signs of okra related allergy are skin problems, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and other gastrointestinal issues.
Can okra be bad for dogs?
Feeding any human food regularly to dogs is not suitable for them. Introducing a food as an occasional treat; might make your pup super happy. But excessive human food is the barrier for dogs to meet the necessary nutritional needs. If they are full of human food, let it be all healthy, but for that, they will not have the appetite for the dog food they are supposed to eat. Dog food is necessary and suitable for canine growth and development.
Also, if your paw friend keeps munching on the delicious treats and snacks, it would invite obesity and other heart issues. Genuinely speaking, feeding your pup fruits and veggies is a trendy idea, but dogs should consume all the necessary nutrients from their carnivorous meal.
Final Words
So, can dogs eat okra? The answer is, yes. You can give your dog okra or other safe veggies, but in moderation. Okra and all the parts of it are safe for pups. But as we always suggest, talk to your vet before introducing any new food to your dog. Have a good day with the good boy!
