Are you wondering if your dog can have a bit of radish?
You’ll be happy to hear that this spicy, crunchy, sometimes bitter, root vegetable is not toxic for canines.
With that being said, there are two slight downsides for dogs despite them not being harmful.
- Radish (any variety) is not one of the more nutritious foods
- Fido may get gassy afterwards
Dogs Can Eat Radish (not a fantastic choice)
This veggie lacks valuable nutrients.
To be clear:
Giving your dog radish is not the worst idea in the world. Doing so is not dangerous.
But…
There are so many other veggies that are far superior choices. Radish is neither healthy or harmful for dogs.
While your best buddy may like the crunchiness, that is not a great reason to share.
Did you come here because your dog already ate some radish?
A slight stomachache is likely the worst case scenario. Don’t worry!
Not Raving About Radish
The biggest benefit radish has going for it is the moderately high levels of Vitamin C.
Thing is dogs actually produce this on their own (which makes radishes even less attractive).
Any other positive things about this root veggie?
The low calorie count. But, again, there are many other vegetables that can claim the same and with much more nutritional value.
Also consider that your dog may not even like the taste of radish!
Crunchy, Spicy And Bitter
There is a debate about whether raw radish is spicy or not.
For sure, it can have an element of spiciness which is another reason to reconsider it for your dog.
Interesting: The sharp flavor comes from the plant’s chemical compounds including myrosinase, isothiocyanate and glucosinolate. When your radish was harvested is also a factor.
Will Your Dog Really Eat It?
Not that your dog cares, but there are different types of this root and this may explain why opinions on taste greatly differ.
In any case, with such a pungent flavor, it’s curious why people eat Raphanus sativus (the scientific name for radish).
We are not trying to beat up on this commonly cultivated crop. It’s really not a great food for dogs, although we started to wonder after watching this video!
About Those Tossed Salads
Instead of radish mixed in with a fresh tossed salad…
Add some shredded carrots or sliced cucumbers for your dog. These 2 healthy vegetables are also more likely to sit well with your dog’s stomach.
Keep a furry friend’s diet simple. At the same time, try to introduce quality vitamins and minerals.
The Bottom Line
It’s OK to feed your dog radish (cooked or raw) though minor stomachache and flatulence are common.
Radish also lacks nutrition. Either a spicy or bitter taste, the only benefit is vitamin C and dogs produce their own.
Do you know if Daikon radish is helpful for dogs in the digestion of fat? What about for dissolving of stored fats? In macrobiotics for humans, I believe raw Daikon helps dissolve stored fats in the body, while cooked Daikon dissolves fats being consumed in the meal at hand.
My vet and my dog’s dermatologist say radish is okay.