Can Dogs Eat Zucchini?

The answer is yes—dogs can eat zucchini! It’s a healthy, nutritious vegetable that’s easy to prepare and can easily be part of your dog’s diet. Rich in minerals, low in calories, and full of good fiber, it’s one of the best veggies you can offer your dog. Funny enough, dogs can enjoy zucchini raw, cooked, baked, and they can even eat zucchini flowers! Like I said, it’s one of the best veggies you can give your dog.

In this article, we’ll talk about the general role of veggies in dogs’ diets and some benefits of veggies that are similar to zucchini. Zucchini is part of the squash family, and we’ve already covered whether dogs can eat squash and pumpkins (spoiler: they can!). Vegetables from the squash family are tasty, healthy, and full of minerals and vitamins—great options for your dog. 

Unlike eggplants, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli, which are also safe but can cause gas and upset stomachs, zucchini and other squashes tend to agree with their tummies much better!

Can dogs eat raw zucchini?

The best way to give zucchini to your dog is grilled, baked, or cooked, but if your dog steals a zucchini from your garden (something a Labrador retriever might do), don’t worry—raw zucchini is perfectly fine for dogs!

How about yellow squash? Can dogs eat yellow squash (raw and cooked)

Yes, dogs can eat yellow squash, both raw and cooked. Like zucchini, yellow squash is a healthy, low-calorie veggie that’s safe for dogs. But honestly, it’s better to cook it before feeding it to your dog. The thing is, raw yellow squash is difficult to digest, and if your dog eats too much, it can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea.

When it comes to nutritional value, yellow squash is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and B6, which help support their immune system, vision, and overall health. It’s also loaded with potassium and magnesium, which are important for muscle function and keeping the heart healthy.

If your dog ends up munching on some raw yellow squash, don’t worry—it’s not toxic. Just make sure they don’t overdo it since it could lead to a little stomach trouble. Overall, yellow squash is a safe, nutritious, and tasty option for dogs, but cooking it is always the way to go when you can!

Just like yellow squash, dogs can safely eat cooked green squash and summer squash. These squashes are low in calories, full of nutrients, and easy on your dog’s digestive system when cooked, making them a great addition to their diet.

Health benefits of zucchini for dogs

Zucchini is full of good stuff for dogs. It’s low in calories and rich in vitamins like A, C, and K, which help with everything from their immune system to their vision. On top of that, zucchini has important minerals like potassium and magnesium that are great for muscle and heart health. It also has antioxidants and gives your dog a solid dose of fiber.

Adding veggies like zucchini to your dog’s meals has some real benefits. The fiber in zucchini is great for digestion and works well alongside their usual food, whether that’s kibble or something else.

Fiber adds bulk, helps manage their weight, and keeps their gut healthy. When you mix veggies like zucchini with meat or kibble, you’re giving them a well-rounded meal that adds nutrients without loading them up with extra calories or fat.

That said, it’s always important to make sure your dog’s diet is balanced. Veggies are awesome, but the 90-10 rule is a good one to follow: 90% of their diet should be from their main meals, and only 10% should be treats, even healthy ones like zucchini. This way, they get all the nutrients they need without overdoing it on the snacks. Keeping things balanced is the key to a happy, healthy dog!

The general role of vegetables in dog’s nutrition

Even though dogs don’t need vegetables the way we do, you’ll often find plenty of processed veggies in their kibble. Why? Well, vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support a dog’s digestion and overall health. Plus, they’re an easy way for dog food manufacturers to create a balanced diet. Vegetables are rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants that may help with things like gut health and immune support.

In fact, there’s a study that digs into how plant-based ingredients and phytonutrients, like carotenoids and polyphenols, can affect a dog’s health.

The researchers reviewed evidence from studies linking these plant-based foods and their nutrients to better outcomes in areas like body weight, gut health, immune health, heart health, vision, and even brain function. Some key takeaways show that adding fruits, vegetables, and other plant ingredients to a dog’s diet improves fat metabolism, supports the immune system, and helps with issues like inflammation.

They also highlight that while plant-based ingredients offer real benefits, more research is needed to fully understand how they work in a dog’s body and how best to use them in dog food.

But what we know so far is that veggies are great as a snack, as a food topper, and as a source of fiber. Here are some of the main benefits!

Some ideas on how to give your dog zucchini

Zucchini is such a versatile veggie, and the good news is that dogs can eat all parts of it — the skin, seeds, and even the flowers! You don’t have to peel it, and the seeds are totally safe. If you want to cook zucchini for your dog, just do what you would normally do for yourself, but without salt or oil.

When I make veggies at home, I bake a whole pan of different veggies in the oven. While I generously season everything with garlic powder, salt, and olive oil, I make a small batch for my dog without any of it. Baked zucchini, along with baked pumpkin and peppers, is something my dog adores.

There’s another cool way to give your dog zucchini. It’s actually a really cool omelet recipe I picked up in Greece with scrambled eggs, zucchini, and goat cheese! I use olive oil spray for this, so I feel safe sharing it with Ricco.

What are some other ways that you prepare zucchini and share it with your dog? Please let me know in the comments.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs eat zucchini seeds?

Yes, they can! Zucchini seeds are totally safe for dogs. You don’t have to worry about removing them — just go ahead and serve the zucchini as is, whether it’s raw, cooked, or baked.

Can dogs eat yellow squash seeds?

Yep, dogs can eat yellow squash seeds too. They’re just as safe as zucchini seeds, so no need to scoop them out when preparing yellow squash for your dog.

Can dogs eat summer squash?

Absolutely! Summer squash is perfectly safe for dogs. It’s a great, low-calorie veggie that you can cook or serve raw. Just remember to skip the seasoning and oils.

Can dogs eat green squash?

Yes, green squash (which is just another term for zucchini) is totally fine for dogs. You can serve it raw, cooked, or baked, and all parts — including the skin and seeds — are safe.