Vegetable
Can dogs eat spinach?
A little is fine. Spinach is nutritious, but it is high in oxalates, which can bind calcium and, in large or frequent amounts, contribute to kidney or bladder problems.
Why Oxalates (soluble oxalic acid)
By Maya HartIf your dog ate some
- A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset.
- Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting or diarrhoea after a large amount
How much, how often
A few leaves occasionally, not every day.
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories
Serving it safely
- Steamed, chopped and plain
- Avoid creamed spinach and dishes with garlic or onion
- Skip it for pets with bladder stones or kidney disease
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs In moderation
A little is fine. Spinach is nutritious, but it is high in oxalates, which can bind calcium and, in large or frequent amounts, contribute to kidney or bladder problems.
How much: A few leaves occasionally, not every day.
Cats In moderation
Only a little, and not at all for cats with a history of bladder stones or kidney disease, because of its oxalate content.
How much: A small cooked leaf, rarely.
Can cats eat spinach?The details
Spinach is not dangerous in the amounts a pet would usually eat. The concern is regular, large amounts, especially for dogs and cats that have had calcium oxalate stones. Leafy greens with fewer oxalates, such as lettuce or cucumber, are easier choices for daily treats.
Safer treats your dog can have instead
Questions owners ask
Can dogs eat spinach?
A little is fine. Spinach is nutritious, but it is high in oxalates, which can bind calcium and, in large or frequent amounts, contribute to kidney or bladder problems.
How much spinach can a dog have?
A few leaves occasionally, not every day.
What makes spinach risky for dogs?
Oxalates (soluble oxalic acid).
What are the signs to watch for in dogs?
vomiting or diarrhoea after a large amount.
What should I do if my dog ate spinach?
A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
Is spinach safe for cats too?
Only a little, and not at all for cats with a history of bladder stones or kidney disease, because of its oxalate content.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
