Eggplant

What is an eggplant?

The eggplant belongs to the nightshade family, which also includes potatoes, tomatoes and peppers. It contains solanine, an alkaloid that can be poisonous in high doses. Solanine is mainly found in the green leaves and stems of the plant, but also in the unripe fruit.

The eggplant has a high water content of around 92 percent and is therefore very low in calories. It also provides vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and iron. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, lowers cholesterol and regulates blood pressure. It can also promote intestinal health as it contains prebiotics.

Why is the eggplant controversial for dogs?

Eggplant can have both benefits and drawbacks for dogs, depending on how it is prepared and in what quantities it is fed. Here are some of them:

Pros: It provides important nutrients for the immune system, nerves and cardiovascular system. It supports digestion and intestinal flora through fiber and prebiotics3. It protects against oxidative stress thanks to its antioxidants.
Disadvantages: Contains solanine, which can cause gastrointestinal discomfort or skin irritation in sensitive or allergic dogs. It can aggravate inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis due to its nightshade properties. Because of its sweet taste, many dogs do not like to eat it.

How to dose eggplant for dogs?

Eggplant is not an important vegetable for dogs. If you want to give it to your dog, you should follow a few rules:

• Only use ripe fruit without green spots or leaves.
• Boil the eggplant before feeding it or give it steamed or baked. Heating reduces the solanine content.
• Only give your dog small amounts of eggplant as a side dish or snack. As a rule of thumb: 1 teaspoon per 5 kg body weight per day.
• Avoid using salt or spices when preparing eggplants for your dog.
• Observe your dog for possible signs of intolerance or allergy after feeding it eggplants. If he exhibits vomiting, diarrhea or itching, stop giving him eggplant.
• If your dog suffers from a chronic inflammatory disease or has a known allergy to nightshade plants, you should not give him eggplant.