Can dogs eat okra?

Yes — dogs can eat okra, which is a good source of fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. It’s best served cooked and plain, although some dogs enjoy okra raw as a treat.

Canine nutritionist Gerald Pepin is the author of the book From Table to Bowl which seeks to take the mystery out of feeding dogs fresh food. Here the experienced dog nutritionist explains the benefits and safe serving tips for feeding a dog okra.

Known as lady’s fingers to some, okra is a flowering plant native to East Africa. Botanically speaking, its edible green seed pods make okra a fruit. That said, most people tend to use okra as a vegetable. Commonly used in soups and stews, the leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems and seeds are all edible, but most of us just feed our dogs the seed-bearing pods. Can dogs eat okra? They can. Read on if you want to learn more about okra for dogs.

What nutrients are in okra?

A rich source of dietary fibre, folate, vitamin c and vitamin K, okra is a prebiotic powerhouse. It can help support your dog’s immune system, it’s metabolism, muscles, bones and nerves as well as improving digestive distress, preventing cancer and helping to manage diabetes.

What are the benefits of feeding a dog okra?

Fed in moderation, okra can offer your dog many nutritional benefits.

Low in calories, okra makes the perfect treat for any dog needing to lose weight
Rich in antioxidants, okra can help any dog fight cancer
The same antioxidants that can help your dog fight cancer can also help combat canine cognitive dysfunction
Okra is known to be able to help control blood sugar levels
The mucilage in okra can help sooth any dog’s troubled intestinal tract by lubricating the lining of the gut
Helps lower cholesterol and helps promote good heart health
Its richness in vitamin K helps maintain strong bones
Okra is an excellent source of prebiotics

How do I feed my dog okra?

You can feed okra to your dog by slicing it and feeding it raw as a treat, or you can lightly cook or steam it and add it to your dog’s other vegetables.

You can also cook okra, and if your dog has digestive problems, use its mucilage properties to help your heal your dog’s troubled digestive system.

Is okra a human food that dogs can eat too?

Scientists have proven that not only have dogs and human beings shared the same diet for at least 12,000 years, they have demonstrated that the digestive systems of both species simultaneously evolved to process and benefit from that shared diet. From those same foods. At the time of the First Agricultural Revolution, when man became less reliant on foraging and more dependent on farmed produce, the digestive tract of both species underwent exactly the same genetic adaptation to allow us and our dogs to process that more limited farmed diet. In other words, we know that without any shadow of a doubt, long before the beginning of recorded time, dogs and human beings were sharing exactly the same diet. Eating the same food.

So even if you prefer to call the food that we humans eat “human food” and the food that dogs eat “dog food”, the fact is that human beings and dogs began to form their enduring relationship at exactly the same time as the First Agricultural Revolution, and likely largely because of our shared ability to benefit from the same foodstuffs. Back then, the food that humans ate was not considered human food, any more than the food dogs ate (exactly the same food remember), was considered dog food. The food that dogs and humans shared, the food that helped cement the bond we continue to enjoy to this day, was simply known as “food.”

So while many today speak of okra as being human food, the fact is, when it was first cultivated in 12th century Egypt, okra would have been eaten by both human beings and their dogs. Along with all the other foodstuffs they would have shared, okra would simply have been considered “food”, food that both dogs and human beings could each eat, enjoy and benefit from.

So when you ask yourself, can dogs eat okra, can I feed my dog okra, is okra one of the safe human foods you can share with your dog, the answer is an unequivocal, yes. Dogs can eat okra because, just as is the case with we humans, it’s something they have likely always eaten!

How can I enhance the nutrient absorption of my dog’s okra?

To enhance the nutrient absorption of your dog’s watermelon, you need to know a little more about what is known as dog food synergy. Adding specific ingredients to any food can significantly enhance its nutrient absorption. In that regard, watermelon is no exception. In the case of watermelon, combining it with other foods can stabilise blood sugar and increase the overall vitamin and mineral profile of the watermelon. Because watermelon is mostly water and carbohydrates, pairing it with healthy fats and proteins is one of the most effective ways to boost its nutritional value.

To enhance the nutrients in okra, you should combine it with healthy fats to absorb its fat-soluble vitamins, protein sources for a balanced amino acid profile and acidic ingredients like lemon or tomatoes to preserve its vitamin C and manage its texture. Okra is a nutritional powerhouse rich in vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, magnesium and fibre.

What healthy fats can I add to my dog’s okra to boost its nutrients

To improve the nutrient absorption of your dog’s okra you need to add healthy fats like olive oil, ghee or avocado. Okra contains vitamin k and vitamin A, which are fat-soluble and require dietary fat for optimal absorption. Sautéing okra in olive oil, ghee or coconut oil or combining it with a little avocado flesh will ensure these vitamins are effectively utilised by your dog’s body.

What proteins can I add to my dog’s okra to boost its nutrient uptake?

Combining okra with a protein source will help create a more complete nutritional profile. Adding eggs for an okra omelette or mixing it with chickpeas or lentils or a little meat can boost protein intake and increase satiety.

What herbs and spices can I add to my dog’s okra to make its nutrients more bioavailable?

Spices like turmeric, ginger and garlic add their own anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits to okra. Turmeric specifically is often recommended for its health-boosting properties. Cinnamon and cloves can also enhance nutrient uptake.

Summary

So there you are, I hope you’ve learned something about okra for dogs and how this strange fruit can benefit man’s best friend.

If you want to learn more about the fruits and vegetables your dog can enjoy, click here to learn more about fruit and vegetables for dogs.