Courgettes for Dogs: A Complete Guide
Courgettes are one of the most versatile fruits you can include in homemade dog food. Every year I grow masses of them for both ourselves and our dogs. Mild in flavour, naturally low in calories and rich in water, they really are one of my favourite seasonal fruits to grow, eat and cook with.
Whether steamed, boiled, roasted or served raw, courgettes are easy to prepare and go well with just about any homemade recipes. While they may not receive as much attention as broccoli or sweet potatoes, they offer valuable nutrients and are an excellent way to add variety and texture to your dog’s diet.
Can dogs eat courgettes?
Yes, dogs can safely eat courgettes (also known as zucchini) says our in-house dog nutritionist. They aren’t a nutritional powerhouse in the same way as broccoli or kale, but they’re a fantastic “everyday vegetable” that adds moisture, fibre and variety to homemade food.
Health benefits of courgettes for dogs
1. Support healthy digestion
Courgettes contain dietary fibre that helps support normal digestion and healthy bowel function.
Introducing fibre-rich fruits to a dog’s diet helps maintain consistent stool quality while contributing to good gut health.
2. Naturally low in calories
One of the greatest advantages of courgettes is their low calorie content.
They allow pet parents to increase the volume of homemade meals without dramatically increasing calorie intake, making them particularly useful for dogs that need to lose or maintain weight.
3. Help maintain hydration
Because courgettes contain a high percentage of water, they contribute additional moisture to fresh meals.
While they should never replace access to clean drinking water, moisture-rich ingredients such as courgettes can help make homemade meals even more hydrating.
4. Provide antioxidants
Courgettes contain naturally occurring antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress. As part of a varied diet rich in colourful fruits and vegetables, they contribute to long-term health and overall wellbeing.
5. Increase dietary variety
No single fruit or vegetable provides every nutrient your dog needs. Rotating courgettes with broccoli, carrots, pumpkin, spinach, green beans and other dog-safe fruits and vegetables helps create balanced, interesting meals with a broader nutritional profile.
Nutritional value of courgettes
Courgettes contain a wide range of nutrients despite being over 90% water.
They provide:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Folate
- Dietary fibre
Courgettes also contain naturally occurring antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin which contribute to normal cellular health.
Because they are naturally low in fat and calories, courgettes are often included in dog weight-management feeding plans.
How to feed a dog courgettes
Courgettes are a fantastic, low-calorie and highly hydrating fruit for dogs that are packed with vitamin C, potassium and dietary fibre.
Because they have a very mild taste, they absorb the flavours of whatever they are cooked with, making them an excellent choice for picky eaters. They are incredibly low in fat and calories, making them an ideal ingredient for dogs on a weight-loss plan.
Here are four creative, dog-safe ways to feed courgettes to your pup:
1. Courgette Noodles
Using a spiralizer or a standard vegetable peeler, you can turn a fresh courgette into healthy, grain-free noodles that add volume and texture to your dog’s regular food.
- Spiralize or peel half a raw courgette into thin, ribbon-like strands. Lightly steam the strands for 2 to 3 minutes just to soften the plant fibres and make them easy to digest.
- Let them cool, then twirl a small nest of the courgette noodles directly onto the top of your dog’s food. It adds a satisfying, vitamin-dense bulk to their meal without adding unnecessary calories.
2. Frozen Courgette & Bone Broth Coins
Courgettes have a high water content, meaning they freeze exceptionally well. Slicing them into rounds creates perfect little bases for cooling summer treats.
- Slice a raw courgette into thick, round coins about 1cm thick. Lay the coins flat on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Spoon a small dot of homemade bone broth or a tiny dab of xylitol-free peanut butter onto the top of each coin. Pop the tray into the freezer for 2 hours. Feed them out as a crunchy, cooling and savoury snack.
3. Mashed Green Machine Lick Mat
When steamed and mashed, courgettes take on a smooth, paste-like consistency that spreads perfectly on textured rubber enrichment toys.
- Steam a handful of diced courgette until completely soft, then mash it thoroughly with a fork. Mix the mashed courgette with one tablespoon of plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt or pure pumpkin puree.
- Spread the green paste firmly into the grooves of a lick mat. Freeze flat for 45 minutes before serving. The continuous licking action helps soothe anxious dogs during stressful situations like grooming or thunderstorms.
4. Baked Savoury Courgette & Cheese Biscuits
You can use grated courgette to add moisture and vitamins to a batch of crunchy, home-baked training treats.
- Finely grate half a courgette and press it into a paper towel to squeeze out the excess water. Mix the grated courgette with 120g (1 cup) of oat flour, one medium chicken egg and a tiny sprinkle of low-fat grated cheddar cheese.
- Roll out the dough, cut it into small shapes and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and crisp.
Allow them to cool completely before serving.
How much courgette can dogs eat?
Despite what you may have read, the only consideration when feeding your dog courgettes is the 10 percent feeding rule, a rule-of-thumb guide which recommends that, in an ideal world, no one ingredient should make up more than about 10 percent of your dog’s meal or overall diet.
Several notable studies spanning archaeology and genetics highlight that dogs and human beings have eaten the same food, sharing the same diet for thousands of years as co-evolving companions. This shared diet is even recorded directly in their DNA and gut bacteria.
In other words, dogs have always eaten the likes of courgettes (zucchini), and as would their humans, they would have eaten more at certain times of year when the fruit was in season and plentiful.
If however you are starting out and looking for a general guide:
- Small dogs: a few small cubes or slices.
- Medium dogs: a few tablespoons.
- Large dogs: a generous handful mixed into a meal.
The ideal amount depends on your dog’s size, activity level and overall recipe, but remember the above ‘general’ guide is purely if you are using courgettes as a food topper for commercial dog food.
Other dog-safe fruits
- Blueberries: antioxidant powerhouse.
- Apples: clean teeth & freshen breath.
- Bananas: boost energy.
- Watermelon: excellent hydration (92% water).
- Strawberries: help whiten teeth.
- Pumpkin: aids digestion.
- Mango: packed with beneficial nutrients.
See the full range of dog-safe fruits here.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can puppies eat courgettes?
A. Yes. Cooked courgettes can be included as part of a homemade puppy diet. Because they are soft and easy to digest, cooked courgettes are often one of the first vegetables included in homemade puppy recipes. Always chop them into small pieces and monitor your puppy’s digestion when introducing any new ingredient.
Q. Can senior dogs eat courgettes?
A. Absolutely. Courgettes are particularly suitable for older dogs because they become soft, moist and easy to chew once cooked. Their low calorie content also makes them a useful ingredient for senior dogs whose energy requirements may have decreased with age.
Q. Can dogs eat courgettes every day?
A. Yes. Courgettes can be included regularly in homemade food, especially if they form part of a varied rotation of vegetables. Rotating ingredients helps provide a wider range of vitamins, minerals and naturally occurring plant compounds while keeping meals interesting.
Q. Can dogs eat raw courgettes?
A. Yes. Raw courgettes are safe for dogs when cut into appropriately sized pieces. They make ideal, naturally hydrating treats for summer time.
Q. Can dogs eat cooked courgettes?
A. Yes. Cooked courgettes are often easier to digest and make an excellent addition to homemade food.
Q. Can dogs eat courgette skin?
A. Yes. The skin is perfectly safe, and most of the nutrient in courgettes are close to the surface anyway.
Q. Can dogs eat courgette seeds?
A. Yes. The soft seeds found in young courgettes are safe to eat and do not need to be removed.
Q. Are courgettes toxic to dogs?
A. No. Courgettes are not toxic to dogs. However, if a courgette tastes unusually bitter, it should be discarded because bitterness may indicate elevated levels of naturally occurring toxic compounds.
Q. How do I prepare courgettes for dogs?
A.Steam, boil or lightly cook until tender if preferred. Allow to cool before serving. There’s no need to remove the seeds from young courgettes. They are soft and perfectly edible.
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