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Do you enjoy lettuce on your salads and sandwiches? If so, you’re not alone! Many people love to eat lettuce in different ways. When you’re eating your salad or sandwich, your dog may come over and wait for his part of the lettuce! But can dogs eat lettuce?
Has your dog eaten lettuce? Are you worried the lettuce will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary if your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about lettuce and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Lettuce?
Lettuce is an annual plant that’s grown as a leaf vegetable. The plant grows its leaves in “heads.” Once the lettuce leaves have been removed from the head, they can be used in many ways. Lettuce leaves can be used in soup, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and more.
The plant was originally grown by ancient Egyptians, who used the seeds to make oil and to eat the plant’s leaves. Later, Greeks and Romans began cultivating and eating lettuce. Who knew?
While lettuce is safe for humans, what about dogs? Can lettuce make a dog sick?
Lettuce & Dogs
The good news is that lettuce is not toxic to dogs! However, too much lettuce can cause a dog to develop diarrhea. It’s also harder for dogs to digest lettuce than it is for us.
In addition, lettuce that’s not washed carefully can carry bacteria such as E.coli, listeria, and more. These can also make a dog pretty sick. What’s more, lettuce may be included in dishes that contain other ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as onions and garlic.
So, it’s OK for dogs to eat small pieces of plain lettuce that have been carefully washed. Our canine companions should only have a few pieces, however. Otherwise, they can become sick.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Lettuce Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten lettuce (that’s plain):
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
If diarrhea and vomiting last longer than 12 to 24 hours, it’s best to call the vet. The concern is that these symptoms could cause your dog to become dehydrated.
Treatment of Lettuce Ingestion in Dogs
The vet has medications that can stop persistent diarrhea and vomiting. They also have medicines that can help your fur baby’s stomach calm down.
The prognosis is excellent for most dogs who eat lettuce! If your fur baby likes lettuce, only give him a small amount once in a while. Then you and your dog can safely enjoy lettuce together!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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