Can dogs eat radishes?

Updated 25/04/2024

While salad might be your bunny buddy's go-to snack, we wouldn't blame you for wondering - can dogs eat radishes? Certainly - in fact, opting for radish as your pup's treat every now and then can add a range of vitamins, minerals and powerful antioxidants into their diet. As long as they're served plain, without the leaves (and never mistaken for horseradish which certainly isn't safe for our furry friends), then radishes are perfectly safe for dogs - granted your pup stomachs the taste. For more on feeding your doggo radishes safely, take a look below as we answer common questions from pet parents.

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Are radishes poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs eat radishes left, right and center? Or are radishes safe for dogs only in small doses? Well firstly, we're glad to let you know that your curious canine is safe to have a nibble on a radish or two - they don't contain any compounds that are poisonous to dogs. But when it comes to portion sizes, we advise giving radish only as an occasional treat - it's high in fiber, so too much at any one time, or over a prolonged period of time and your pup could be suffering from an upset stomach. And as always when introducing new foods into your pup's diet, start with small nibbles here and there, only experimenting with one new food at a time. While it's unlikely your pup will have a food intolerance to radish, there is always a very small chance. For this reason, start by feeding a very small amount of radish, and watch for signs of a tummy upset such as vomiting or diarrhoea, or a skin reaction such as hives or inflammation.

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Are radishes good for dogs?

So, do radishes actually serve any health benefits to our furry friends, and are radishes bad for dogs in any way? Well like with any food that's not your pup's kibble, your pooch can certainly have too much of a good thing when it comes to radish. While they're low in calories meaning you'd have a hard time exceeding your pup's intake on that front, radishes are rather high in fiber. So, while in the right amounts, fiber is great for your pup's digestive system, give them too much and they could experience bloating, constipation, and flatulence.

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Health benefits of eating radishes for dogs

As we’ve mentioned, if you’re cautious with portion sizes, dogs and radishes can be a great match when it comes to canine snacks. In fact, radishes are packed with a range of nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin B complex, fiber and potassium, which help to reduce inflammation, aid metabolism, preserve coat and skin health, and boost immunity. Plus, radishes are packed with antioxidants that help to protect your pup from free radicals which are partly responsible for age-related degeneration in the body.

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Feeding your dog radishes

So, now we’ve settled the question - can dogs eat radishes - you’re probably wondering about the best way to share the veg with your pup. Well as with all canine snacking, the key is to keep it simple. As you might know, our furry friends are pretty sensitive to a range of ingredients we include in our cooking, so don’t be tempted to add any seasonings, aromatics, or fats to the snacks you prepare for your pup. Plus, be sure to slice the radish into bite-size pieces to dodge the choking hazard and any chance of gastrointestinal obstruction a whole radish would bring. Be sparing when it comes to feeding your pup radishes, less is absolutely more when it comes to this vegetable. While low in calories, they’re packed with fiber which could upset your pup’s stomach if too much radish is ingested at one time.

Can dogs eat radish leaves?

Are radishes okay for dogs with the leaves (otherwise known as radish greens)? Sadly not - radish leaves can irritate your dog's stomach, leading to illness so be sure to remove these before treating your pup.

Can dogs eat daikon?

Daikon is perfectly safe for dogs to eat, just be sure to cut it into bite-size pieces to avoid the choking hazard of this rather hard root veg.

Can dogs eat horseradish?

Confusing but true, not everything that has 'radish' in the name is actually a radish - horseradish being one, and it can cause gastrointestinal upset if fed to dogs, so steer clear of those on the canine snacking front.

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Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

Other foods that are safe for dogs

Now we've settled the question - can dogs have radishes - get yourself clued-up on the other foods dogs can eat.

• Sunflower seeds
• Beets
• Seaweed