Heart of palm is a widely loved snack. And as dog owners, we sure do love sharing our foods with our four-legged companions. But it’s always important to consider the risks before doing so. Are hearts of palm safe for dogs to eat? We’ve compiled all of the pros and cons.
Heart of palm is the ultimate example of a tasty yet nutritious dog treat. But like any other treat, it’s important to give it to your dog in moderation.
Read below for more information on hearts of palm and how much you can give your dog.
Before you read a more in-depth answer to the question, “Can Dogs Eat Hearts of Palm,” check out: Can Dogs Have Vegetable Broth? (And What Kind?) (2023) and Can Dogs Eat Flan? (The Facts) (2023).
What Are Hearts of Palm?
Heart of palm is a plant related to cabbages and other cruciferous vegetables. It reaches a maximum height of 20 inches and has a conical shape. Its skin is paper-thin and pale green. The heart of palm is taken from within the trunks of palm trees.
It belongs to the Araceae family of plants and its natural habitat is the tropical forests of Central and South America. It’s one of the continent’s most widely grown vegetables.
Hearts of palm can be used in many different ways thanks to its mild, nutty flavor. You can put it in a salad, soup, stir-fry, or even a dessert. It’s a common addition to rice-based dishes.
Hearts of Palm: Their Nutritional Value
In addition to being a good source of potassium, iron, copper, phosphorus, and zinc, heart of palm also has a low fat level. A raw serving size of 3.5 ounces (100 grams) has the following ingredients:
- 36 calories
- Four grams of protein
- Less than one gram of fat
- Four grams of carbohydrates
- Four grams of fiber
- 38% of the daily value of potassium
- 20% of the daily value of phosphorus
- 70% of the daily value of copper
- 36% of the daily value of zinc
Can Dogs Eat Hearts of Palm?
Heart of palm is one of those things that most people have not heard of unless they are vegetarians, gardeners, or involved with plants. However, palm trees can be found in most tropical environments.
Palms can thrive in a wide range of climates, from the tropics to more moderate regions like New England. Additionally, while the majority of people are familiar with palm trees’ general appearance, only a small percentage of them are aware that the vegetable they produce is known as “heart of palm.”
While not harmful to humans, the vegetable does contain substances called saponins that can be toxic to animals. Most dogs, however, are immune to the effects of saponins because they do not produce the enzymes required to break down the chemical.
Heart of palm is “generally recognized as safe” by the FDA, meaning it’s considered to be risk-free for human ingestion. However, because every dog is different, it’s best to get your vet’s approval before feeding heart of palm to your dog. If you get the green light from the vet, go ahead and try it out.
Just make sure to wipe up any spills right away and keep puppies under six months out of reach.
The Advantages of Giving Dogs Hearts of Palms
Hearts of palm have a long history of use as a source of nutrition for both humans and animals.
It has a high concentration of a variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium, among others.
Hearts of palm also have lower calorie, fat, and sodium content, so it can be a fantastic substitute for dog treats derived from animals. Here are more reasons why you should use hearts of palm as a treat for your dog.
1. Prevent Bad Breath
Many pet owners have complained about their pets’ chronic bad breath. The most common cause of this issue is poor dental hygiene.
Hearts of palm are a great source of critical nutrients for the digestive system, and as a result, they can help keep your dog’s breath smelling fresh.
2. Aid Digestion
Pets also frequently experience problems with their digestive systems. The palm heart is a great digestive aid since it encourages healthy digestion.
3. Maintain Healthy Coat and Skin
Dryness, itching, and allergies are common skin problems in dogs. Hearts of palm provide necessary fatty acids that hydrate the skin, therefore, they help maintain healthy skin and coat.
4. Source of Vital Nutrients
The minerals included in palm heart are great for a dog’s overall wellness. Among these are antioxidants, dietary fiber, and protein.
5. Avoid Constipation
Dogs often struggle with constipation as well. Feeding hearts of palm facilitates digestive movement, which in turn reduces the risk of constipation.
6. Boosts Immune System
Hearts of palm are beneficial because they boost immunity. Dogs that consume these vegetables daily are more resistant to various illnesses.
7. Tasty Treat
Finally, the palm heart is a treat even pets will enjoy. They also supply the body with vital nutrients required for survival.
The Risks of Giving Dogs Hearts of Palm
Although hearts of palm are a nutritious and generally safe treat, there are some risks to consider.
1. High Blood Sugar Level
Hearts of palm contain a fair amount of carbohydrates. Dogs might have dangerously high blood sugar levels if they eat an excessive amount of carbs. Your dog’s health is in danger if you do nothing to prevent him from developing a sugar-related disease.
The good news is that hearts of palm are a good source of fiber. Undigested fiber passes through the digestive tract in large amounts. In doing so, it transports a large number of carbohydrates and blocks their entry into the bloodstream.
2. Pathogens
Like any other raw vegetable, hearts of palm can be contaminated with harmful bacteria and parasites. These vegetables almost always contain spores of C. botulinum.
There is evidence that the powerful digestive fluids of a dog can be helpful against C. botulinum spores. However, consuming too many microorganisms can result in digestive problems or food poisoning.
3. Choking
Eating raw palm hearts also carries the risk of asphyxiation. Although these vegetables are harvested from a particularly tender portion of the palm tree, that doesn’t make them appropriate for raw consumption. Especially when you consider that a dog’s throat is much narrower than a human’s.
The symptoms of a dog choking on palm hearts include dilated pupils, excessive salivation, and a mild but persistent cough.
4. Incomplete Nutrition
Hearts of palm have a lot of vitamins and minerals, but they’re still missing a lot of the stuff that dogs need. This highlights the significance of providing palm hearts to your dog as a treat on occasion.
You should look into other options that are more nutritionally beneficial.
5. Possible Problems with Digestion
Hearts of palm are healthy for dogs to eat, but too much of them might make them sick. Warning signs include diarrhea, gas, and nausea.
If your dog exhibits any of these signs after eating hearts of palm, you must keep an eye on them and take them to the vet if necessary. Keep in mind that excessive consumption of hearts of palm can cause stomach problems, so only offer a moderate amount.
6. Allergies
Your dog may be allergic to hearts of palm, just as they could be allergic to any other food.
These are typical symptoms of a dog’s allergic reaction:
- Itching
- Swelling
- Hives
- Trouble breathing
Contact your vet immediately if your dog exhibits any signs of an allergic reaction after eating hearts of palm. Stop giving your dog hearts of palm immediately if it develops an allergy.
Preparing Heart of Palm for Dogs
Have you made up your mind to teach your four-legged pal to like hearts of palm as much as you do? If so, here are some safe ways to introduce your dogs to this tasty treat:
Fresh, Uncooked, or Cooked
Dogs can eat hearts of palm in a few different forms.
Depending on your dog’s preferences, you can feed them to him either raw or cooked. Going the raw food route? Remember to thoroughly clean the vegetables so that no dirt or debris remains.
Make sure to avoid herbs and spices, as your dog could get sick.
Thoroughly Clean Them
Before feeding the heart of palm to your dog, you should give it a good rinse. You may either wash them in a sink full of ice water or let them sit in a basin of water for a few minutes.
Cut Into Bits And Pieces
Chopping or dicing hearts of palm into tiny pieces makes it easier for your dog to chew and digest. This will also lessen the possibility of suffocation or intestinal obstruction.
If you’re going to feed it to your dog, make sure you remove any tough or fibrous bits beforehand.
Add to a Dessert or Dish
Hearts of palm are a nutritious addition to your dog’s normal diet or as a tasty reward for good behavior. Both commercially prepared dog food and homemade dog food can benefit from these nutrients.
They can also be fed to your dog as a solo treat, though you should keep an eye on how much he eats.
Alternative Treats for Your Dog
You should always have a selection of tasty, nutritious treats on hand for your dog. Below, we’ll discuss several alternatives to heart of palm that you might want to provide to your dog.
Other Fruits and Vegetables
Many fruits and vegetables are okay for dogs. Here are some dog-friendly options:
- Carrots are a great crunchy food for dogs since they are full of essential vitamins and minerals. They can help with tooth hygiene by removing tartar and plaque.
- Dogs can benefit from eating cucumbers all summer because they are low in calories and contain a lot of water.
- Green beans are a healthy and nutritious treat for dogs because they are high in fiber and vitamin content.
- Apples are tasty fruit snacks that also function as great sources of fiber and minerals. Before feeding apple slices to your dog, make sure you remove the seeds and core.
Dog Treats
It’s wonderful to spoil your dog with something tasty every once in a while.
Here are some examples of well-liked and nutritious commercially available dog treats:
- Dog biscuits are available in a wide range of sizes and flavors to accommodate your pet’s specific nutritional needs and preferences.
- Dogs who have tooth discomfort or who prefer softer food may enjoy soft, chewy treats.
- Freeze-dried snacks are a great option if you’re looking to give your dog something different and tasty to chew on.
- Dogs can also benefit from dental chews, as they are specially formulated to promote dental health by cleaning teeth and freshening breath.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hearts of palm don’t last long before they go bad, so they are prepared before being canned.
Other than a potential choking hazard, artichoke hearts are safe for dogs to eat.
Like any other canned vegetable, it’s best to rinse out hearts of palm to remove the brine.
Conclusion for “Can Dogs Eat Hearts of Palm”
It’s important to keep in mind that while hearts of palm don’t usually pose any health risks, they should still be served in moderation and in addition to a healthy, age-appropriate diet.
The best thing you can do for your dog’s diet is to offer a wide variety of foods and to supervise your dog when he or she eats something new to make sure there are no negative reactions.
If you find this guide, “Can Dogs Eat Hearts of Palm,” helpful, check out:
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Learn more by watching “Veterinary Nutritionist Explains Raw Dog Food Diet and Much More” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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