Spinach is healthy and tasty food for people, but is it safe for dogs to have some? Can dogs eat spinach? The answer is yes, but only in moderation. Too much spinach isn’t good for your pup, but a small portion is just fine.

Spinach is packed with Vitamins and Minerals

Spinach has a lot of nutrients that are great for dogs (and people too). This includes vitamins A, B, C, and K.1 Spinach also has plenty of other minerals and antioxidants like iron, fiber, beta-carotene, potassium, folate, manganese, and more. Spinach truly packs a lot of nutrition in a small snack. The next time you’re snacking on spinach, it’s okay to go ahead and give a little plain spinach to your dog.

Don’t Overdo the Spinach

Despite all the health benefits that come with spinach, don’t give too much to your pup. Keep the snacks small, and don’t overdo it. Spinach has oxalic acid, which can block calcium absorption and might hurt your dog’s kidneys over time.2

A little spinach every now and then is fine. In fact, there’s some disagreement about just how much spinach it takes to cause a problem. Some say it could take very large quantities before spinach would cause any issues at all.3 Still, it’s best to err on the side of caution and just give a little to your dog at a time.

If your dog has kidney issues, then avoid spinach altogether. You can always talk to your veterinarian if you have questions.

How to Serve Spinach

If you’re going to give your pup some spinach, serve it plain and in small amounts. Steamed and chopped will provide the most nutrients since boiling spinach might cause it to lose some of its health benefits.3 Raw spinach, however, might be too tough for your dog to digest.

Remember: don’t add any spices, seasonings, or toppings to the spinach you feed your dog. Foods like onions, garlic, and dairy products are all dangerous to dogs. And your dog doesn’t need the extra fat from ingredients like butter. Plain, steamed spinach chopped up into a very small snack is all your pup needs.

Spinach Alternatives

If you don’t have spinach on hand, don’t despair. There are lots of tasty foods with unique flavors you can feed your dog instead. Consider AvoDerm’s Salmon & Potato Stew wet dog food or a unique Lamb & Sweet Potato dry dog food instead. These are formulated specifically for dogs and use premium protein as the main ingredient.

Spinach is perfectly safe for healthy dogs, as long as it’s served cooked, plain, and in small portions. If you’re not comfortable with spinach, it’s not the only fruit or vegetable that’s safe for your dog to eat. Other tasty options include bananas, sweet potatoes, and carrots.

1. Perry, Christin. “Can Dogs Eat Spinach?” Little Things, https://www.littlethings.com/can-dogs-eat-spinach.

2. Reisen, Jan. “Can My Dog Eat Spinach?” AKC, 26 May 2017, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-my-dog-eat-spinach/.

3. Perry, Christin, https://www.littlethings.com/can-dogs-eat-spinach.

4. Reisen, Jan, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-my-dog-eat-spinach/.