Can dogs eat asparagus?

Snap off the woody base of each spear, then steam or boil for four to six minutes until tender. Let them cool and cut into pieces 2 cm (under 1 in) long. Raw asparagus is safe in principle, but the fibrous stalks can be hard to chew and may cause gagging in small dogs.

Asparagus has around 20 calories per 100 g, so a few pieces are a light treat.

Dogs under 10 kg (22 lb) can have two or three small pieces, and larger dogs half a spear or one whole spear. Asparagus can cause gas in some dogs, and it may give urine a strong smell, just as it does in people. This is harmless.

Tinned asparagus is soft and ready to eat but often salty, so rinse it or choose no-salt versions.

Once the harvest season ends, asparagus plants grow into tall, feathery fronds, and female plants produce small red berries. These berries are not for eating and can upset a dog's stomach. Ornamental asparagus fern, a common houseplant, is a different species and is listed as toxic to dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhea and skin irritation.

Asparagus wrapped in bacon or ham is salty and fatty. Asparagus with hollandaise, butter or parmesan adds rich fats. Asparagus soup and risotto are usually made with onion or garlic. Keep a few plain cooked spears aside for your dog.