Is kohlrabi (German turnip) good for dogs?
Yes, dogs can eat Kohlrabi but only in moderate quantities. Kohlrabi can be given to dogs either raw by cutting it into very small pieces or cooked / steamed before mashing it. A small initial trial serving of this vegetable will confirm you that whether you need to serve this to your pet in future or not.
Kohlrabi is a German word for cabbage turnip. It belongs to the family of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower vegetables. It has a better taste than broccoli or cabbage. The stem and leaves of this vegetable are edible. It is mostly eaten in German speaking countries due to its availability there. Kohlrabi is being mainly grown in Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain and their neighboring countries. This plant is fully grown after around 45 to 60 days of sowing and each stem of this vegetable weighs around 150 g and may reach 200 to 250 g including leaves.
How much quantity of kohlrabi can I give to my dog?
Eating large quantities of kohlrabi can lead to diarrhea, bloating and gas so only small quantity of around 150 g should be mixed in dog food. Giving large quantities of any food will interfere with the normal functioning of the digestive function of pets so be very cautious of what you are serving and in how much quantity you are serving to your canine.
Raw Preparation
First of all wash the vegetable thoroughly and peel out the outer layer. Cut it in small pieces and give miniscule quantity in your favorite pet’s bowl. If your furry friend likes it, then you may give some more. Leaves of this plant can also be cut into small pieces and mixed with cut pieces of stem to give as salad to your pet. You may add this raw salad on top of your pet’s normal dog food also.
Cooked Preparation
Steam kohlrabi till it becomes soft. Mash it using a masher and serve in a pet bowl. Kohlrabi should not be given on daily basis to your dog as it is not a primary food for your dog. Twice or thrice a week serving of this vegetable is enough. You may also boil / steam the leaves of kohlrabi along with the stem and these can be mashed along with the stem too. Adding kohlrabi leaves will definitely add more nutrients and fiber than serving the stem alone.
What nutrients are there in kohlrabi?
Every 100 g of kohlrabi contains 91g water and remaining 9g has carbohydrates, vitamins, protein and minerals. The major minerals it contains are Calcium, Potassium, Sodium and Magnesium. The major Vitamins it contains are Niacin (B3) and Vitamin E apart from Vitamin B1, B2, B5, B6, and B12. Kohlrabi is a nutritious diet for your dear dog and every 100g of kohlrabi contains 3.6g of fiber which helps in digestion.
When not to serve kohlrabi to my pet?
When your pet has gas or bloating do not serve kohlrabi in its diet as it may increase the gastric problem. Also do not serve it on daily basis as it is not a favorite dog food and your dog may irritate if given this vegetable in large quantity or on daily basis.
Can I mix kohlrabi with rice and give to my dog?
Yes, Kohlrabi can be cut into small pieces and boiled with rice and given to dog. It will add a good taste to rice as it is milder and sweeter than broccoli.
Kohlrabi being a vegetable is nutritious for your dog and if your pet develops a habit of eating this vegetable it will add several additional nutrients like Calcium, Phosphorus, Vitamin C, B3 etc. in your pet’s diet. So if kohlrabi is available in your region try to add it to your pet food for its benefits and taste.
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