Conditions apply
Can dogs eat spinach and leafy greens?
Leafy greens are safe in small amounts. Spinach and kale are high in oxalate and are worth limiting in dogs with kidney or bladder stone problems.
What makes it harmful
Oxalates in spinach and, to a lesser degree, kale
Oxalate binds calcium. In a healthy dog occasional spinach is not a problem, but in a dog prone to calcium oxalate stones or with kidney disease it is worth avoiding.
How to prepare it
Washed, chopped, lightly steamed, plain.
Portion
About 23 kcal per 100 g for spinach.
Also check for
- dressing
- onion or garlic in prepared salads
How confident is this
established
Well established in the veterinary literature and consistent across sources.
- USDA FoodData Central
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Toxicology of Food-Associated Hazards
Further reading
Check another food
Informational only, and not a substitute for veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and this page cannot account for your dog's age, size, health conditions or medication. If you are worried, phone a vet — that call is always the right call.