Can dogs eat parsnips? Health foodies love replacing french fries with roasted parsnip fries — and they are, in fact, delicious — but can such a thing be shared with a dog? Are parsnips safe for dogs to eat?
The short answer is yes, parsnips are safe for dogs to consume. Raw, or cooked, parsnips are similar to carrots and can be eaten either way. Of course, if you take the idea of making parsnip fries for your pup, make sure you leave off things like seasonings and garlic.
However, you must always run new additions to your dog’s diet by your veterinarian. In the meantime, here’s everything you should know about how parsnips make for a nutritious doggy snack.
How Are Parsnips Good For Dogs?
Parsnips are a root vegetable, similar to other dog-friendly ones like carrots, turnips, and beets. Of course, there are root vegetables that are toxic to dogs like garlic and onions, but luckily, parsnips are quite nutritious and safe for dogs.
Loaded with vitamin C, B6, folate, potassium, and dietary fiber, parsnips have substantial nutritional value — not as much as the turnip, which is basically a superfood for dogs, but still a great option for a snack. They’re much better than straight-up french fries!
Dietary fiber is really important for dogs, as is B6. Vitamin C is generally important, but dogs do produce it on their own without dietary supplements.
B6 provides a wealth of metabolic energy, and we all know how important it is for dogs to metabolize what goes into their bodies effectively.
Furthermore, parsnips are also rich in antioxidants which aid in cancer prevention and kidney function, warding off some of the diseases that can plague dogs later in life.
How Can I Safely Give Parsnips To My Dog?
Parsnips are safe for dogs to consume either raw or cooked, just like turnips or carrots. Preparation is, therefore, pretty straightforward, simple, and common-sense based.
Preparation really only includes washing, peeling, and chopping — all things we would do to parsnips for our own consumption, really.
Washing is important due to pesticides that may still be lingering on the exterior. Or, alternatively, you can use a peeler to completely remove the outside layer, as we often do with carrots before cooking.
Then, of course, you just want to chop up the parsnip into chunks, or small slices if you’re doing parsnip fries.
Keep in mind, though, that the amount you give your dog is important. Parsnips do have a lot of dietary fiber, and too much can cause extreme stomach upset. For a large dog, half a parsnip is likely enough, and less for a smaller dog.
You’ll want to steer clear of pickled or canned parsnips, though. Canned parsnips are usually loaded with preservatives and sodium, which negate their positive nutrition. And pickled parsnips are usually made with ingredients that are toxic to dogs, like garlic and onion.
Do you include parsnips in your dog’s diet? Do they like this veggie raw or cooked? Let us know in the comments below.
