Can Dogs Eat Radishes?

Radishes have a strong, zesty flavor some pooches may like.
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There's no harm in feeding your pup radish roots, sprouts or greens -- unless the spicy flavor proves to be too much for your pup. Offer radish roots or sprouts as a healthy treat or sprinkle a few over his dinner to make sure your pooch gets his veggies.

Significance

Dogs can enjoy the occasional radish as a natural, healthy treat that provides fiber. Offer your dog a small bite of radish to see whether he enjoys it. Some dogs may not like this slightly spicy veggie, so don't persist if yours doesn't. Give a radish as a rare treat or shred it on his kibble to supplement your dog's balanced diet, rather than use it as a meal replacement.

Radish Seed

If your dog enjoys munching backyard grass, offer sprouted radish seeds as a safe, healthy treat. Like radishes, these have a spicy kick that your dog may or may not like. To sprout, soak seeds for three hours. Drain and place them in a quart jar covered with cheesecloth or a sprouting lid. Rinse the seeds with water two to three times daily, then drain the water. Radish sprouts should be ready to eat in three days.

Benefits

Sprouted radish seeds provide natural plant proteins. Your pup won't get enough protein from sprouts, including radish, to live without meat -- but these can round out his diet. Fiber from radishes and radish sprouts can help a constipated pooch get going again. The vegetable also has potassium and vitamin C. Its rough texture serves as a natural doggie toothbrush, helping to remove plaque from your pup's teeth as he chews.

Warning

The wild radish, a wildflower unrelated to the culinary root, has seeds that are toxic to dogs. Wild radish flowers are generally yellow or white, less often lavender, in hue. Wild radish has thick, hairy green leaves that feel rough when young and smooth when the plant matures. If your dog eats a flower that you think may be wild radish, contact your vet and try to obtain a flower sample.