Many Border Collie owners want to feed their Border Collies healthy food. One popular human food is cabbage. It’s nutrient rich, low cost, and can be used in many recipes. So can you feed cabbage to your Border Collies? The short answer is “Yes!” You can feed cabbage to your Border Collies.
But there are lots of questions about feeding cabbage to your Border Collies. Here we’ll try to answer every question regarding feeding cabbage to your Border Collie and the nutritional value of this nutritious vegetable. Let’s start with the most important question:
Is cabbage safe for Border Collies?
Yes, cabbage is safe for Border Collies, but as with other foods, it should be introduced slowly. Cooked cabbage is a better option because of the higher digestibility and lower risk of gastrointestinal issues like gas or constipation.
If you notice any signs of stomach upset after giving your Border Collie cabbage, remove it from their diet. Some Border Collies can have an allergic reaction or intolerance to cabbage, although this is rare.
Benefits of cabbage in Border Collies
Health benefits of cabbage for Border Collies:
-Antioxidants help protect the body from damage.
-Vitamin C is essential for a healthy immune system and for the formation of collagen.
-Vitamin B complex supports breaking down carbohydrates and transporting nutrients, as well as nerve function.
-Vitamin K helps with blood clotting and wound healing.
-Potassium helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals.
-Calcium is important for bone and teeth health and muscle contraction.
-Phosphorus plays an important role in bone strength, kidney function, muscle contraction, removing waste through the kidneys, managing your body’s energy levels, and nerve signaling.
-Fiber helps to regulate digestive functioning by moving material through your Border Collie’s digestive tract more quickly. This can prevent constipation and other issues like bloating or flatulence.
-Cabbage contains a high proportion of water. Water is essential for keeping your Border Collie hydrated and preventing health problems that can result from dehydration.
Do all Border Collies like cabbage?
Unfortunately, no. While some Border Collies can eat cabbage and enjoy it, others just don’t like the taste of it or don’t do well digesting it.
If you want to give your Border Collie cabbage, start by offering a small amount as a treat. If your Border Collie eats the cabbage and doesn’t show any signs of digestive upset, then you can give them more in the future (just keep track of how much they’re eating so that you don’t overfeed them).
However, if your Border Collie doesn’t seem to enjoy the cabbage or if they have diarrhea or vomiting after eating it, then you should stop giving them cabbage and consult with your vet about whether there’s another food that will work better for them.
Can my Border Collies have cabbage every day?
There’s no rule on how often Border Collies can eat cabbage. If your Border Collie likes it and you’re feeding them a recommended amount, then yes! But we recommend varying the treats you give your Border Collies because they may get bored with eating the same thing every day. Different vegetables have different nutrients, so even if your Border Collie likes cabbage, they may benefit from eating other vegetables too.
Can Border Collie puppies eat cabbage?
The short answer is yes, but you should wait until they’re two months old. Puppies have a very delicate digestive system. Before they reach the age of two months, they need to stick to specially formulated puppy food. Once your puppy reaches two months old, however, you can feed them tiny pieces of cooked cabbage once or twice a week. When introducing new foods to your puppy’s diet, it is always wise to consult with a veterinarian first.
How much cabbage can Border Collies eat?
So we know you’re excited about feeding your Border Collie cabbage, but there are a few things to consider first.
First, consult with your vet for the best serving size for your pup. The amount of cabbage that is safe for your Border Collie to eat depends on the size, breed, and activity level of the Border Collie, so it’s a good idea to check in with your vet before offering any new food to your pet.
Second: keep portion control in mind! Smaller Border Collies (<20 lbs) should have only a bite or two of cooked cabbage at a time, while larger breeds (>20 lbs) can have a few more morsels.
Lastly: remember that treats should not make up over 10% of your Border Collie’s diet. When you introduce new treats like cabbage, start with a small piece and monitor your Border Collie’s reaction.
How to serve cabbage to your Border Collies?
Cabbage is good for Border Collies, but it’s still a new food. It’s always best to introduce a new food slowly.
If you have questions or concerns about whether cabbage is right for your Border Collie, talk to your veterinarian. Our vet has given us the green light, so we feel confident adding cabbage to our pups’ diets.
When preparing cabbage for your Border Collie, make sure you buy organic if possible and clean the cabbage properly. Never give your Border Collie raw cabbage, as it’s more difficult for him to digest than cooked food. We like to cook our cabbage moderately so it retains its nutritional benefits without being hardy and tough.
We like to add cabbage to a homemade meal that’s balanced with a good source of protein, like chicken or turkey. You could also try sprinkling some on top of canned Border Collie food or kibble for added nutrients and variety.
It’s important not to overfeed your Border Collie with this new treat or any other treat for that matter. We follow the 90/10 rule: feed our Border Collies 90% wholesome homemade meals, and 10% treats—including the occasional piece of cooked cabbage.
When is cabbage bad for Border Collies?
Most of us have heard that cabbage is a healthy vegetable choice, and this is true when it comes to humans. In fact, most vegetables are good for your Border Collie as long as you cut them into small pieces or feed them in moderation. However, there are some situations where cabbage can be detrimental to your Border Collie’s health.
If your Border Collie has existing allergies or gastrointestinal issues, then you should avoid feeding cabbage. Although rare, cabbage has been known to cause allergic reactions such as hives, vomiting and diarrhea. This is because it contains sulfur compounds that can irritate a Border Collie’s sensitive stomach. If your Border Collie already has digestive issues, then skip on the cabbage.
Besides being a potential allergen, cabbage is also high in thiocyanate which can affect your Border Collie’s thyroid gland and cause hypothyroidism. This condition results from an overactive thyroid gland which produces too much thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain, lethargy and other symptoms that make it difficult for Border Collies with this condition to live a normal life.
Finally, even if you don’t have any of these issues, feeding too much of cabbage could cause loose stool and diarrhea.
What happens when your Border Collies eat too much cabbage?
Nausea
If you notice your Border Collie is experiencing nausea after eating too much cabbage, you’re right to be concerned. Cabbage contains a protein called thiocyanate, which causes the bacteria in your Border Collie’s gut to break down sulfur more quickly. This leads to the production of hydrogen sulfide and other gasses that can lead to bloating, stomach pain, and flatulence.
Abdominal Pain
Depending on how much cabbage your Border Collie has eaten, he may experience abdominal pain because of eating too much cabbage. This can be an uncomfortable experience for your pooch! You may notice him holding his stomach and not wanting to move around or play as usual. If you suspect this is the case, take your Border Collie to see his veterinarian.
Flatulence
If you’ve noticed that your Border Collie’s farts are smelling even stinkier than usual, this could be a sign that he has been eating too much cabbage. Cabbage contains high levels of sulfur, which can increase the amount of hydrogen sulfide gas produced by bacteria in your Border Collie’s gut and make his farts smellier than normal.
Diarrhea
If you suspect your Border Collie has eaten too much cabbage, note any changes in the consistency of stool.
What to do if your Border Collies eat too much cabbage?
If you find that your Border Collie has eaten some cabbage, don’t panic. Border Collies can safely eat cabbage in moderation, but if they eat too much at once, they may get an upset stomach. Monitor your pet for any signs of gastrointestinal distress, such as diarrhea or vomiting. If your Border Collie is showing any other abnormal signs, contact your veterinarian.
For most Border Collies, eating too much cabbage isn’t dangerous. But if your Border Collie does show symptoms of discomfort after eating cabbage, stop feeding them the vegetable and remove any remaining cabbage from their reach. Try to serve vegetables to your pet in small quantities so you can avoid these situations in the future.
Can Border Collies eat red cabbage?
Yes, Border Collies can eat red cabbage. In fact, red cabbage is more nutritious than green cabbage, so it’s a great snack to give to your pup! Cabbage is a safe and healthy treat for Border Collies, as long as you avoid giving them too much of it at once. Red cabbage has 10 times more vitamins than green cabbage.
Other human foods Border Collies can eat
What other human foods can border collies eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Border Collies can eat.
So, can Border Collies eat cabbage?
Yes, Border Collies can eat cabbage in moderation. Cabbage is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin K and Vitamin C, making it an excellent treat for Border Collies. However, the leaves should be chopped finely before feeding to your Border Collie because the fibers in the cabbage can be hard on a Border Collie’s digestive system.
If you are considering feeding cabbage to your Border Collie as a treat, make sure you have consulted with your veterinarian first. Some Border Collies may have allergies to certain foods and cabbage can cause an allergic reaction in some Border Collies. If you notice that your Border Collie is having stomach discomfort after eating cabbage, remove it from his diet immediately and consult with your veterinarian.