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Can Dogs Eat Eggplant?

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LIMIT — small amounts of plain, cooked eggplant (aubergine) are acceptable for most healthy dogs, but seasoned eggplant dishes are a different question.

Eggplant, also called aubergine, belongs to the nightshade family. The edible fruit can be eaten by dogs in small amounts; the natural compound solanine is more concentrated in the leaves and flowers than in the fruit. Larger amounts may upset the stomach, and many eggplant dishes contain garlic, onion, oil or cheese.

See our guide to vegetables dogs can and can't eat to compare this with the rest of the vegetable list.

On this page
A whole glossy purple eggplant (aubergine) on a cream surface

Quick answer

Category
Vegetables
Recommended preparation
Plain, cooked, cut small
Main concern
Stomach upset; seasoned dishes with garlic or onion
Suitable as everyday food
No

The full answer

Veterinary and kennel-club sources describe small amounts of plain eggplant as acceptable for dogs. In the UK and Europe the same vegetable is called aubergine.

Eggplant is a nightshade. Solanine is more concentrated in the leaves and flowers of the plant than in the edible fruit, so keep dogs away from the garden plant.

Larger amounts may cause stomach upset. Plain cooked eggplant is easier for dogs to eat than raw.

PetMD advises caution for dogs with kidney problems. If your dog has kidney disease, ask your vet before sharing eggplant.

Many eggplant dishes, such as moussaka, baba ganoush, ratatouille and parmigiana, contain garlic, onion, salt, oil or cheese. Those dishes are not plain eggplant.

Risks and Things to Know

  • Larger amounts may cause stomach upset.
  • Leaves and flowers contain more solanine than the fruit.
  • Seasoned dishes often contain garlic, onion, salt, oil or cheese.
  • Dogs with kidney problems: ask your vet first.

How Much Can Dogs Eat?

Offer only a small amount occasionally as an extra.

Stop if you see stomach upset.

Do not change a diet formulated for your dog by a veterinary nutrition professional without their advice.

How Should I Prepare It?

  • Wash and cook plainly — baked, grilled, steamed or boiled with no oil, salt or seasoning.
  • Cut into small pieces.
  • Do not share leftovers from eggplant dishes made with garlic, onion or cheese.

What If My Dog Ate Too Much?

If your dog ate a larger amount of plain eggplant, watch for stomach upset and keep water available.

Contact a vet if symptoms continue, if your dog chewed the plant's leaves or flowers, or if the eggplant was part of a dish with garlic or onion.

This guide is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. If your dog has eaten something potentially toxic or is showing concerning symptoms, contact a veterinarian promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plain eggplant is not described as toxic to dogs in small amounts. The leaves and flowers of the plant contain more solanine than the fruit.

Yes. Aubergine is the usual name in the UK and Europe, and eggplant is common in North America. This page covers both.

Cooked is better. Plain cooked eggplant is easier for dogs to eat and digest.

No. These dishes usually contain garlic, onion, oil, salt or cheese. Check what was in it and contact a vet if garlic or onion was included.

Yes. Eggplant belongs to the nightshade family, like tomatoes. The edible fruit is the part dogs can have in small amounts; the leaves and flowers are the concern.

Ask your vet first. PetMD advises caution with eggplant for dogs with kidney issues.

How this guide was written

Last updated 29 September 2026. We write from widely published, mainstream pet-health sources and avoid presenting feeding amounts as veterinary prescriptions.

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