Dogs are considered as a family member in many households, and not simply a pet. We take care of our dogs just as we do to our family members. Like us, dogs should get enough physical exercise, be fed a healthy and nutritious diet and should be kept clean. Many dog foods are available in the market, that claim to be made with healthful vegetables. However, there is nothing healthier and fresher than feeding your dog with real fresh vegetables. They are packed with essential nutrients and hence, good for his coat, skin, bones, teeth, eyes, and overall health. They are also better than starchy foods. Besides meat and bones, it is important that your dog's diet comprises about 30% vegetables on a daily basis. So, instead of going to the store and buying commercial dog food, you can try including some of green and leafy everyday vegetables into your dog's diet. There are many vegetables available like broccoli, kale, lettuce, zucchini, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, beans, turnips and many more. Each of these vegetables carry a variety of health benefits for your dog as well depending on their nutrient contents. Let us see how cabbage is good for dogs. Dogs can eat all types of cabbages like savoy, red cabbage, napa, brussels sprouts, Chinese, bok choy and others with no issues. ➠ Steamed cabbage contains essential vitamins and is helpful in keeping your dog's digestive system in proper working condition. It aids in digestion. The fiber-like substances in cabbage bind with bile acids in the digestive tract. This makes it easier for bile acids to be eliminated from the body. Raw cabbage can also work this way, though not better than steamed cabbage. ➠ Cabbage is also good for the skin. It nourishes the skin and coat of your dog. Cabbage can also help reduce dry skin irritation and make the skin look healthy. ➠ Cabbage is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium and dietary fiber. Cabbage is also rich in antioxidants which helps remove free radicals in the blood, thereby assisting in the prevention of diseases like cancer. ➠ Feed your dog with smaller amount of cabbage at a time. Though cabbage is dog-friendly, it may cause stomach ache, watery stool and flatulence in some dogs when fed in larger quantities and all at once. In addition, flatulence can make the house stinky. ➠ Cabbage contains a substance known as thiocyanate, which is known to interfere with thyroid function, and therefore, may cause hypothyroidism if fed to dogs regularly in large amounts. Therefore, cooking it lightly will deactivate the thiocyanate. It is recommended to feed cooked cabbage to your dog if you are feeding in larger quantities. ➠ It is advised that vegetables should be cooked without salt, sugar or spices. ➠ Always consult your veterinarian first and add foods in small quantities to scan for any allergic reactions to the new food. The other safe and nutritious vegetables for dogs include carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, dandelion leaves, kale, kohlrabi, okra, peas, pumpkin, rutabagas, sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes, turnips, green beans, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli, celery, parsley, asparagus, spinach and potato (cooked). All vegetables are not safe for dogs. Some vegetables that are healthy and nutritious for us are in fact harmful for dogs. These vegetables include onions, garlic, mushrooms, rhubarb, and tomato plants. So, keep them at a far distance away from your doggie's mouth. It is wise to be knowledgeable about the food for your dog before feeding him anything. Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a veterinarian.