For humans, it’s common to enjoy a hearty, lettuce-and-vegetable-filled salad for lunch. In fact, making the perfect salad is something of an art and we pride ourselves on creating the best bowl of greens possible. But today’s question isn’t about us: it’s about our dogs. Can dogs eat lettuce?
The short and sweet answer to “Can dogs eat lettuce?” is yes! In most cases, dogs can enjoy a little bit of lettuce, too.
Lettuce is a crunchy, low-calorie treat that’s full of vitamins and minerals and is great for dog training purposes.
Is Lettuce Safe for Dogs?
In general, lettuce is a safe snack for your tail-wagging companion. Lettuce is a very simple vegetable that doesn’t contain a lot of components that could make your pet sick or feel unwell. There are three main types of lettuce that are consumed by humans, and they are likely the same ones you’re tempted to feed your dog: romaine, iceberg, and leaf.
Romaine
Romaine lettuce has long, dark green leaves that grow together to form elongated “heads”. It has a savory, yet neutral but subtly “plantlike” taste.
Iceberg
Iceberg lettuce is light green in color and grows to form a round “head,” roughly the size of a small soccer ball. Iceberg lettuce has a very mild taste.
Leaf
Leaf lettuce forms a “head” the same way that romaine and iceberg do, but the leaves grow together more loosely. The leaves are large and frilled on the edges, and can be either red or green.
Nutritional Benefits of Lettuce for Dogs
There are numerous benefits of lettuce for dogs. Here are a few of the most noteworthy.
Low Calorie
Lettuce can be a great treat for dogs who are on a diet. Lettuce contains, on average, less than 10 calories per cup -- not that you’d want to feed your dog an entire cup of lettuce!
High Water Content
Lettuce can be beneficial for helping your pup stay hydrated, since it is made up of nearly 90% water.
Contains Vitamins and Minerals
Although lettuce doesn’t contain much more than water, it does contain small amounts of vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, K, and various types of B. It also has potassium.
High In Fiber
Other than water, fiber is the next most prominent ingredient in a piece of lettuce. Romaine lettuce contains the most fiber of all the different types. In small amounts, the fiber found in lettuce can help promote your dog’s health digestion.
Potential Risks of Feeding Lettuce to Dogs
Even though lettuce comes with virtually no health risks for us, dogs can run into a few small problems when they eat too much of it. They can struggle with digestive issues from overeating, choking on large pieces of lettuce, and get sick from lettuce that hasn’t been washed well enough. Iceberg lettuce poses a relatively low nutritional value for dogs (lower than other varieties), and can cause them to have diarrhea from its excessively high water content.
How to Safely Feed Lettuce to Your Dog
Wash Thoroughly to Remove Pesticides
You haven’t sprayed your store-bought lettuce with any pesticides -- but in many cases, the farms that grew it did. This is to prevent bugs from eating their crops. According to PetMD, these pesticides can be harmful to dogs if not washed away thoroughly.
Chop to Avoid Choking
Because lettuce is such a fibrous vegetable, it’s important to chop it up into pieces so that your dog doesn’t choke on it. Dogs are notorious for eating quickly and not chewing their food enough, which is why we need to ensure that lettuce is made small enough that they can swallow it nearly whole without a problem.
Serve Plain
Lettuce is healthy just as it is and it doesn’t need any dressings, oils, or seasonings for your pup to enjoy it. Adding things to lettuce for your dog just adds extra calories, fat, and chemicals that they don’t need.
Base Servings Size on Dog Size
Veterinarians at PetMD agree that lettuce should be given to dogs based on their size. Smaller dogs should receive smaller portions of lettuce, and larger dogs larger portions.
Lettuce as a Treat: When and How to Serve
Lettuce should be given as a treat rather than a diet staple. When feeding it to your best friend, get creative! Mix it with other dog-safe vegetables to create a crunchy doggy salad.
Creative Serving Ideas
Lettuce Wraps
Give your dog a big dose of greens by offering lettuce wraps. Making them is simple: just use your lettuce as a tortilla, and fill it with dog-safe vegetables like cucumber and carrots.
Mixing Lettuce With Kibble
Chop or rip up lettuce and mix it into your dog’s kibble on treat day. Offer one, two, or all three of the varieties we mentioned for a colorful combo.
When to Avoid Feeding Dogs Lettuce
There are some cases when dogs should not be given lettuce.
For example, a dog who has a sensitive stomach or known digestive issues might not be the best candidate for lettuce treats because the water content can cause diarrhea. Additionally, if a dog starts to vomit after eating lettuce, they could be allergic and shouldn’t be offered it again. You should always consult a veterinarian, if you have any questions about your dog’s diet.
A dog who refuses to eat lettuce or eats it only after being scolded, shouldn’t be forced to eat it. Some dogs just don’t like it and that’s totally okay!
A few alternatives for picky pups can include other leafy greens like spinach, and kale or zucchini. Spinach and kale are high in iron and fiber.
Conclusion
Lettuce can be a truly wonderful addition to your dog treat repertoire -- and the benefits from lettuce make it worth spending time to prepare it. It won’t cause weight gain and contains fiber and vitamins to keep your pet strong and healthy. Just be mindful of how you feed it: be sure to chop up large pieces and only give the amount recommended by professionals.
Before adding lettuce to your dog’s diet, though, ask your veterinarian if it would be beneficial for your dog specifically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it unusual for a dog to love lettuce?
Nope! Dogs have their own likes and dislikes just like we do. Some really love lettuce.
Do dogs eat lettuce or cabbage while nursing their pups?
Yes, they can have both in appropriate quantities.
Can dogs have iceberg lettuce?
Yes, they can.
Can dogs have lettuce with regular food?
Yes, mixing lettuce with kibble and your dog’s regular food is a great idea.
Is lettuce pets-safe before being washed?
No, you should always wash lettuce before giving it to your pet.
Can dogs eat romaine lettuce?
Yes, it’s quite beneficial for dogs.
Can dogs eat lettuce raw?
Yes, raw lettuce is perfectly safe for dogs.
