Can dogs eat it?
Can dogs eat cabbage?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Plain cabbage is safe for dogs in small amounts, raw or cooked. Green, red, savoy and napa cabbage are all fine. Chop it finely or cook it until soft, and start small, because cabbage is well known for causing gas. Sauerkraut and coleslaw are too salty or dressed to share.
Raw or cooked
Finely shredded raw cabbage adds crunch, but it is harder to digest and more likely to cause gas. Steaming or boiling for five to eight minutes softens it. Remove the hard core, which is tough and can be a choking hazard for small dogs.
Cabbage has around 25 calories per 100 g, making it a light addition.
Napa and savoy leaves are thinner and cook in two or three minutes.
Serving sizes
A tablespoon of chopped cooked cabbage suits a small dog of 5 to 10 kg (11 to 22 lb). A medium dog can have two tablespoons, and a large dog up to a quarter of a cup. Offering it once or twice a week is plenty. Daily large helpings of any brassica can cause digestive discomfort.
Red cabbage can tint stools slightly purple, which is harmless. Leftover cabbage cooked with bacon, butter or caraway is best kept for people.
Fermented and dressed cabbage
Sauerkraut is fermented with salt, and kimchi adds garlic, chili and fish sauce. Coleslaw is mixed with mayonnaise and often onion. Stuffed cabbage rolls contain seasoned meat and onion. None of these are suitable. Plain cabbage from your own chopping board is the version to share.
Dogs that should limit cabbage
Cabbage and other brassicas contain compounds that can affect the thyroid when eaten in very large amounts over time. Normal treat portions are not a concern for healthy dogs, but dogs with thyroid disease should have their diet guided by their vet.
Key takeaways
- Plain cabbage is safe raw or cooked.
- Remove the hard core and chop finely.
- Small portions help avoid gas.
- Sauerkraut, kimchi and coleslaw are unsuitable.