Can dogs eat lettuce?

Updated 29/04/2024

Does your pooch have an eye for the healthier things in life? If the answer is yes and it's puppy dog eyes all round when the salad comes out, you might wonder - can dogs eat lettuce? Or is the vegetable simply too difficult for our furry friends to digest? Well fortunately for your foliage-loving pup, lettuce is generally pretty safe for dogs. In fact, it's a great alternative to dog treats if you're after a low calorie training treat option, or if your pooch is overweight yet still yearning for treats. As with any 'people food', you'll need to be careful of a few things when feeding your dog lettuce, so take a look below to get clued-up.

Related article: Can dogs eat nuts?

Is lettuce poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs eat lettuce safely or are some varieties toxic to dogs, like other common ingredients we humans enjoy, like garlic and onions? Luckily for your salad-craving pup, lettuce is safe for dogs to eat - at least on the toxicity front. And like with us humans, there’s a slim chance your pup could be intolerant to lettuce, so keep a watchful eye when treating your doggo with anything new, only introducing one new ingredient every few days or so. That way, you’ll know whether it’s a lettuce intolerance they’ve got, or some other health issue.

Related article: Can dogs eat broccoli?

Is lettuce good for dogs?

So can dogs eat lettuce and get any health benefits from it? Or do we pet parents need to be cautious when feeding salad to dogs? Well we’ll get into some of the nutrients in lettuce below, but it’s safe to say that lettuce is certainly on the healthier end of dog snacks. Why? Well the majority of lettuce is water, which makes it a pretty low-calorie snack for your pooch. And why is that a benefit, then? Shouldn’t dogs be getting all the calories they need? Precisely - with a low calorie snack like lettuce, your pooch can still enjoy the reward of a ‘people food’ treat, without tipping over their daily calorie intake. 

And one thing that's not so great about lettuce for dogs is the digestion part - as you might know, raw leaves can be difficult for our furry friends to digest. So, always chop the lettuce you're feeding your pup nice and small, or gently steam it and allow it to cool before offering it as a canine snack. It’s also worth staying with your dog while they eat lettuce, because it may get stuck in the mouth or throat, causing them to cough or even choke.

Related article: Can dogs eat pork bones?

Health benefits of eating lettuce for dogs

So, now we've unpicked the question - can dogs have lettuce - you might be curious to know some of the nutrients in the vegetable that your furry friend could be benefitting from if it's incorporated into their training or treat routine. As we've mentioned, lettuce is predominantly made up of water, which means it's not quite as nutritious as some other vegetables that are safe for canine consumption, but it might act as a little dose of hydration during dog training. With that said though, lettuce does contain vitamins A, C and K which are great for maintaining your pup's healthy vision, immune system and their blood's ability to clot.

Related article: Can dogs eat bread?

Feeding your dog lettuce

So as we've said, lettuce can be a great option for dogs who need to keep their calories down but still need a training treat as that all-important reward. But what's the best way to serve up the leaves to your pup? Can dogs eat lettuce raw or cooked? Firstly, make sure the lettuce is thoroughly washed - this will help to remove any dirt or pesticides from the leaves. Next, chop it up into small pieces that your pooch will easily be able to swallow. Next, if you'd like to make it even easier for canine consumption, lightly steam the lettuce chunks and allow to cool before using for treats. And naturally, don't give into temptation by adding any seasonings or oils.

Can dogs eat romaine lettuce?

Romaine lettuce is safe for dogs and can provide nutrients such as nitrate, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Just be sure to chop it up into bite-size pieces to make it easier for your pooch to chew, swallow, and digest. 

Can dogs eat iceberg lettuce?

Iceberg lettuce is okay for dogs - your pooch will enjoy its crunchy freshness, and you can rest assured it's not adding a heap of calories to your dog's diet.

Can dogs eat salad with dressing?

No - make sure the lettuce you treat your pooch to is served up completely plain - dressings are far too fatty and salty for our furry friends, and often contain ingredients toxic to dogs like shallots and garlic.

Related article: Can dogs eat pineapple?

Other lettuce products

So now we know that dogs and lettuce are the ideal match when it comes to training treats, you might be wondering - can dogs have lettuce if it's paired with other ingredients to make dishes we humans know and love, like caesar salad? Sadly not - any lettuce your pooch tucks into will need to be served plain, as many of the products we cook into our dishes are seriously bad for canine health.

Other foods that are safe for dogs

Now that you're all clued-up on the lettuce and dogs front, what 'human' foods can dogs eat? Take a look below for tips and advice on feeding dogs 'people foods'.

• Asparagus
• Pears
• Coconut

Meet our veterinary expert, Hannah

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Hannah Godfrey BVetMed MRCV.

Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and worked in mixed practice for a few years before focusing on small animal work. Clinically, she worked in a busy, multi-center hospital practice until 2018, where she underwent training in advanced canine and feline dentistry and began working towards a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. She then moved to a local independent practice to care for the pets nearby, allowing more time to focus on other career avenues, which include writing for a diverse range of pet websites, vet practices, drug companies, journals, and veterinary educators.