Can dogs eat artichokes?

A globe artichoke is a flower bud made of stiff, spiky-tipped leaves around a hairy choke and a soft, fleshy heart. Dogs cannot scrape the soft base off each leaf like people do, and swallowed leaves can lodge in the throat or gut. The hairy choke is also hard to digest.

Only the cooked heart, cut into small pieces, should ever reach a dog.

Steam or boil the whole artichoke for 30 to 40 minutes, pull off all the leaves, scoop out the choke and cut the heart into cubes. Tinned artichoke hearts in water, rinsed well, also work. One or two small cubes suit a medium dog.

Artichoke hearts have around 50 calories per 100 g.

Artichoke hearts in jars are usually marinated in oil with garlic, herbs and vinegar. Spinach and artichoke dip is loaded with cream cheese, parmesan and garlic. Artichokes on pizza come with garlicky tomato sauce. Leave all of these off your dog's list.

Globe artichokes are large, thistle-like plants with spiny leaves and buds. In summer, unharvested buds open into purple flowers. Dogs rarely eat the plants because they are prickly, but fallen buds and leaves can be carried off and chewed. Collect them as you tidy the garden, and keep the prickles away from curious noses.

Despite the name, Jerusalem artichokes are knobbly tubers from a sunflower relative. Cooked plainly, they are not toxic, but they are famous for causing gas. A small piece is the most a dog needs.