Can Dogs Eat Eggplant? Tips for Feeding Eggplant to Dogs

Eggplant (solanum melongena), or aubergine, is a perennial, warm-season vegetable from the nightshade family. Eggplants come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. The most common eggplant variety in the US is the globe eggplant—this hefty variety has glossy, deep-purple skin and spongy fruit.

Dogs can eat cooked eggplant in moderation, but dog owners should chop eggplant into small pieces to mitigate choking and prepare it without seasonings to prevent an upset stomach. Eggplant contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can support your dog’s overall health. Eggplant also has oxalates—compounds that can affect the kidneys—and parts of the vegetable contain solanine, a poisonous alkaloid that is toxic to dogs.

Serve the warm-season vegetable to your dog in small amounts and only occasionally. Your pets should get the majority of their nutritional needs from their prescribed dog food, so treats and human food should only make up, at most, ten percent of a dog’s diet.

Eggplants contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can benefit your dog’s health:

1. 1. Vitamins: Eggplant has several enriching vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, which supports brain function, and vitamin K, which helps blood clot. Eggplant also contains potassium and calcium, which support your dog’s muscles and bones.
2. 2. Antioxidants: This food is also rich in antioxidants and chlorogenic acid, which may lower blood pressure. Eggplant contains anthocyanin, a flavonoid that improves blood flow to the head, potentially helping brain function and decreasing the chances of brain damage.
3. 3. Fiber: Eggplants are a good source of dietary fiber, helping your dog’s digestive tract.

When feeding eggplant to your dog, especially for the first time, monitor your pet’s reaction and consider the following health risks:

1. 1. Kidney stones: Dogs with kidney problems should not eat eggplants; the food’s oxalate levels can lead to kidney stones.
2. 2. Solanine poisoning: Nightshade foods like eggplants contain solanine, which can trigger poisonous reactions when consumed in large amounts. Eggplant leaves and tubers have high levels of solanine, so remove them before preparing the vegetable for your dog.
3. 3. Allergic reactions: Though rare, eggplants can cause itching or rashes in dogs, so start by feeding your pet the treat in small amounts and monitoring their health as you go.

Follow these instructions to make eggplant safe for dogs to eat:

1. 1. Bland is better. Parmesan cheese and seasonings like hot pepper flakes, paprika, and salt, can lead to an upset stomach, so avoid using them when cooking eggplant for your dog.
2. 2. Serve raw eggplant as a snack. Before feeding your dog raw eggplant, chop it up into small diced pieces to mitigate choking.
3. 3. Try various preparation methods. Baking, grilling, and roasting are great ways to soften your eggplant and give your dog a warm treat. Avoid making the eggplant as you would for an entrée—the breading and cheese in fried eggplant and eggplant Parmesan dishes can lead to stomach upset. Cool the eggplant before serving it to your pet.
4. 4. Go easy on the oil. If you are heating eggplant, only use a little olive oil, as too much can upset your dog’s stomach. Overconsumption of oil can raise cholesterol levels, leading to heart disease.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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