Can Dogs Eat Watercress? Be Careful!
In recent years, watercress has gone from being an often-overlooked vegetable to being the new kale. But is it a good choice for dogs?
It is a common misconception that dogs cannot eat watercress. The truth is, watercress is a common diet for dogs. In fact, it has been used for years to treat gastrointestinal issues in dogs. It is rich in calcium, vitamin A, potassium, phosphorus and iron.
Additionally, watercress has been known to reduce inflammation and promote overall digestive health. Watercress has also been found to be very beneficial for heart health and can help to prevent cancer. However, if your dog is ill, make sure to speak with your veterinarian before giving him or her watercress.
We know that dogs can eat a lot of different foods, but can they also eat watercress?
Can my dog eat Watercress?
Nasturtium officinale, popularly known as watercress, is a water plant that should not be mistaken with the nasturtiums that grow in your yard. Watercress is a plant native to Europe and Asia that has been consumed by humans for generations. Mustard, radish, and wasabi are all linked to this plant.
Watercress is high in vitamin C, iron, folate, vitamins A, B6, B12, and a variety of minerals. It’s eaten fresh in salads and in a variety of other dishes.
Is it OK for my dog to eat watercress? Is it OK for my puppy to eat watercress? Watercress is not safe for dogs. These plants can harm a dog’s kidneys and thyroid. What would happen if my dog ate watercress?
He’ll be fine if he simply consumes a small amount of watercress, although he may have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms will be exacerbated if he consumes a big amount of food. As a result, don’t feed watercress to your pet. There are a variety of different vegetables that are both healthy and beneficial to his health that he may eat.
What is Watercress (Nasturtium) Poisoning?
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is an aquatic plant that originated in Europe and Asia but now thrives in the wild across the United States and southern Canada. Although it contains chemicals that can be fairly unpleasant in big quantities, watercress is used as a herbal supplement and food flavoring for both people and dogs.
If your pet consumes watercress that is intended for human consumption, any negative consequences should be negligible. Eating wild watercress has significant risks for you and your pet, and should be done with caution or avoided entirely.
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is an aquatic plant used as a taste enhancer and herbal supplement. It’s somewhat irritating to your pet’s stomach and can cause gastrointestinal problems.
Symptoms of Watercress (Nasturtium) Poisoning in Dogs
The Glucosinolate–myrosinase combination found in these and other botanically similar plants, such as mustard and horseradish, is responsible for the majority of the symptoms you’ll see if your pet eats watercress. Until the plant is crushed or sliced, the metabolite glucosinolate and the enzyme myrosinase are retained in distinct compartments.
The interaction between glucosinolate and myrosinase causes the molecules to break down. This is what gives these plants their pungent, spicy flavor; nevertheless, if ingested in high quantities, it can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Repeated or very large exposures, as well as animals with weaker systems, can cause kidney and thyroid damage.
Nausea \sVomiting \sDiarrhea \sTypes
Watercress in the Wild — In watery locations around the United States, your pet may come upon wild watercress (nasturtium officinale). Water hemlock, which grows in the same region as watercress and may be dangerous even in little amounts, should be avoided. Watercress also absorbs the substances found in the water it grows in, including any poisons present. These substances may get concentrated in the plant, making it unsafe to ingest.
Watercress in the Grocery Aisle – Watercress is a leafy green salad ingredient that’s also used in soups and sandwiches. It has a taste profile that is comparable to mustard greens or mild horseradish, is high in vitamins and minerals, and has anti-inflammatory qualities.
Watercress in Dog Food – As a source of vitamins and minerals as well as a taste enhancer, watercress is occasionally featured in dog food. It’s contained in a little more than 1% of all dog meals.
Causes of Watercress (Nasturtium) Poisoning in Dogs
Watercress is not extremely poisonous to your pet, but in big concentrations, it might induce nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Wild watercress, on the other hand, might pose extra dangers. Watercress is infamous for absorbing chemicals and germs from the water, which are then concentrated within the plant, causing everything from heavy metal toxicity to illnesses like listeria in your cat.
Watercress and water hemlock both flourish in the same habitat. Water hemlock is a severely poisonous plant that may kill people with just one leaf. Water hemlock poisoning can cause the following symptoms:
Nervousness that is abnormal
Coma
Drooling excessively
a frantic movement
Frothing
Temperature has risen.
twitching of muscles
Panting
Dilation of the pupils
The heart beats quickly.
Eyeballs rolling
Abdominal discomfort
Unexpected death
Tremors
Convulsions that are violent
Vomiting
If your pet exhibits symptoms of water hemlock poisoning, take him or her to the nearest veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic as soon as possible, since deaths can occur in as little as 15 minutes.
Diagnosis of Watercress (Nasturtium) Poisoning in Dogs
Because watercress plants are only weakly toxic, any symptoms other than minor vomiting or diarrhea are typically the result of a subsequent disease or a misidentification of the plant. Your dog’s health history, food habits, oral medications, access to plants or other possible poisons, and present symptoms are all likely to be discussed.
A complete physical examination will be carried out, with special focus directed to the stomach and abdomen to look for any intestinal obstructions.
In most cases, a complete blood count (CBC), urine, and biochemistry profile will be ordered. This is done to see whether the patient has any toxins or abnormalities in his or her system.
If a sample of the plant is brought in, it may be tested to check if any poisons were absorbed by the plant. If there are symptoms of poisoning but no evidence of toxin ingestion, the contents of the stomach will be analyzed for plant material or other poisons. If the vomiting is severe, your veterinarian may prescribe anti-emetic and gastroprotective drugs to help alleviate the symptoms.
Treatment of Watercress (Nasturtium) Poisoning in Dogs
Food is usually withheld from dogs that are experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort until the vomiting and diarrhea have stopped for about half a day. This method may be recommended by your veterinarian to allow the dog’s stomach muscles to recuperate from the gastric spasms induced by the vomiting.
To prevent dehydration, water and crushed ice should be supplied often during this therapy, but only in tiny amounts. To minimize further gastrointestinal upset, only soft, bland meals should be given for at least a day or two following the withholding period. One readily digested carbohydrate and one moderate protein source should be included in the optimum recovery diet.
If your pet develops symptoms unrelated to watercress poisoning, such as severe vomiting or diarrhea, your veterinarian will advise you to bring him or her into their clinic for further supportive treatments.
To avoid dehydration, an IV fluid therapy will most likely be given in the veterinarian’s office, and drugs like Pepcid AC or Imodium may be prescribed for their gastroprotective characteristics. Do not provide these drugs to your pet unless you have received adequate personalized dosage instructions from a veterinary specialist.
Recovery of Watercress (Nasturtium) Poisoning in Dogs
Canines with watercress normally have a fair prognosis, and any responses to the plant should fade away within 24 hours. Your pet’s prognosis may be affected if he or she ate something other than watercress or if the watercress was contaminated. Dehydration is one of the most serious risks associated with frequent vomiting and diarrhea.
Sunken eyes, increased panting, and loss of skin suppleness are all indications of dehydration that should be closely checked. When an animal is very dehydrated, it may become exhausted and unsteady when standing. Any of these signs might indicate that the dog is in considerable distress, and you should contact your veterinarian for more advice.
Conclusion
Can dogs eat watercress? Of course! Yes, they can. They are omnivores and eat a wide variety of foods. Watercress is not the only plant in this group, but it is one of the most nutritious ones. As a matter of fact, watercress is so high in nutrients that people often give it to their dogs.
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