Can dogs eat arugula (rocket)?

Arugula belongs to the brassica family, like mustard greens and watercress. The peppery bite comes from glucosinolates, the same compounds that give horseradish and mustard their heat, though in much milder form. Large amounts may cause gas or a mildly upset stomach.

Most dogs sniff a leaf and decline it. That is fine.

Wash a few leaves and chop them into small pieces, or mix a pinch into your dog's food. For a 10 kg (22 lb) dog, a small pinch of five or six leaves is enough. Wild rocket has a stronger taste than baby salad rocket.

It is very low in calories, around 25 per 100 g.

Leafy greens are among the vegetables most likely to carry pesticide residues, and they can also pick up soil bacteria. Rinse arugula thoroughly in cold running water before sharing, even if the bag says it is prewashed. Organic leaves still need washing, as they can carry soil and bugs.

Rocket salads are commonly topped with shaved parmesan, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, pine nuts, red onion, sun-dried tomatoes or grapes. Rocket on pizza sits on a garlic sauce. Before sharing a leaf from a salad, check that it has not been dressed or mixed with these extras.

Watercress and mustard greens are treated the same way: plain, washed, and just a few leaves. Microgreen mixes often include rocket and radish shoots and are fine in tiny pinches if washed well.