What is rhubarb?
Rhubarb is a plant from the knotweed family. It is also known as common rhubarb, vegetable rhubarb or curly rhubarb. It has long, thick leaf stalks that are red or green in color. The leaves themselves are inedible and contain toxins.
Rhubarb has a sour taste and contains lots of vitamin C, potassium and fiber. It is usually boiled or steamed and sweetened with sugar. It has a refreshing and digestive effect.
Is rhubarb good or bad for dogs?
The answer is: it depends. Rhubarb contains oxalic acid, which can be dangerous for dogs in large quantities. Oxalic acid binds calcium in the body and can lead to kidney stones, bladder stones or joint problems. It can also irritate the mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract and lead to nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
However, this only applies to raw or unprocessed rhubarb. If you give your dog cooked or steamed rhubarb, the oxalic acid is partially destroyed and rendered harmless. In addition, you should only feed small amounts and always mix the rhubarb with other ingredients.
For large, adult dogs, it is therefore no problem to occasionally eat some cooked rhubarb. However, it is not suitable for small dogs, puppies or sick dogs.
