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Salads are one of the most popular dishes for people to eat, and households around the globe have lettuce in their refrigerators. Lettuce can be customized with just about anything and has more varieties than nearly any other vegetable you’re likely to find in the produce aisle. Pet parents may ask themselves, “Can dogs eat lettuce safely?”
Lettuce itself is safe for dogs to eat in moderation. Your dog can eat a variety of lettuce—like romaine, arugula and iceberg—without much concern. None of those three varieties contain any chemicals that can harm your pet, and the low-calorie snack can be a practical training treat for overweight pets.
However, there are a few other things to consider when pondering, “Can dogs eat lettuce?” Read on to find out what types of lettuce you should avoid feeding your pup, the mixed nutritional value of lettuce and suggested guidelines for this leafy vegetable. And remember to always consult your veterinarian before feeding your pet any new food.
Many dog parents wonder, “Can dogs eat lettuce leaves?” The answer is yes, in moderation. However, since lettuce is 90 percent water, it doesn’t contain many nutritional benefits, but it can make a great low-calorie treat.
Health benefits of lettuce include:
Your pet’s commercially available food is formulated to meet all of their nutritional needs, so lettuce is not a necessary—or recommended—addition to their diet, but it can be offered as a low-calorie treat in moderation and on occasion.
Can dogs eat iceberg lettuce? Yes, but at 96 percent water, iceberg lettuce contains fewer vitamins and minerals than other types of lettuce.
Can dogs eat romaine lettuce? Absolutely. It has 1 percent less water than iceberg but up to nine times more vitamin A.
Feeding your dog a lettuce treat is simple since toppings and dressings are not recommended. They not only add calories, but ingredients like onions, garlic and grapes are toxic to dogs. Feed plain lettuce only and wash it thoroughly. Cooking lettuce typically involves using some oil, salt or seasoning, and those can have negative impacts on your canine’s overall health and may even be toxic depending on the added ingredients and/or quantity consumed.
Can dogs eat lettuce when it’s part of a salad? No, giving your dog a salad that’s loaded with extra ingredients and dressing is not recommended. All the good stuff humans typically like to douse salads with adds calories and can cause significant health issues in your dog, including pancreatitis, digestive upsets, salt toxicity, kidney damage and more. Some salad and dressing ingredients—like garlic, onions and grapes—are toxic to canines.
When it comes to the question, “Can dogs eat lettuce safely?” there are some risks to be mindful of when preparing this treat. Feeding them too much can cause problems like diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset and flatulence, so giving them lettuce in moderation is extremely important.
Lettuce leaves can be hard for your canine to digest in big pieces because they’re very fibrous and clingy. Chop it up into fine, bite-size pieces, especially if you have a small breed or if your pup is a notorious inhaler of food.
Nothing negative will likely happen unless you give them a large amount of lettuce or leaves with unhealthy or toxic toppings. The high amount of fiber contained in lettuce can make it tough to digest and cause gastrointestinal upset.
If you feed them small bits and pieces here and there, there is generally no reason to be concerned.
Just because the answer to “Can dogs eat lettuce?” is “yes” doesn’t mean that it’s nutritious. It lacks the health benefits and nutritional value of other vegetables because it’s roughly 90 percent water, depending on the variety. But it is very low in calories, which can make it a healthy choice as a dog treat.
Just because the answer to “Can dogs eat lettuce?” is “yes” doesn’t mean that it’s nutritious. It lacks the health benefits and nutritional value of other vegetables because it’s roughly 90 percent water, depending on the variety. But it is very low in calories, which can make it a healthy choice as a dog treat.
Can dogs eat kale? No. While kale is considered a superfood for humans and should not be harmful to your canine if fed in very small amounts on rare occasions, it can cause health issues for pups, including bladder and kidney stones.
Yes, butter lettuce is one of the many types of lettuce you can give to your dog.
Take a look at other articles in this series, including:
Petco’s ACE team is a passionate group of experienced pet care experts dedicated to supporting the overall health & wellness of pets. The ACE team works to develop animal care operations and standards across the organization and promote proper animal care and education for Pet Care Center partners and pet parents, while also ensuring regulatory compliance.
