Vegetable
Courgette (zucchini)
A mild, digestible vegetable served raw or cooked; also a staple fresh food for many fish and reptiles.
Preparation matters as much as the ingredient.
Who can eat it
DogsRabbitsGuinea pigsBearded dragonsPlecos and other grazing fish
Not suitable for
Cats (safe, rarely eaten)
Benefits
- Low calorie and gentle on digestion
- Useful fresh food for herbivorous reptiles and bottom-feeding fish
- Adds variety to small-pet diets
Risks
- Bitter courgettes contain cucurbitacins — discard any that taste bitter
- Overfeeding displaces balanced food
Preparation and serving
- Preparation
- Raw in small pieces for dogs and small pets; blanched slices weighted down for fish; raw for reptiles.
- Serving guidance
- A few chunks for dogs; a slice for fish tanks, removed after 24 hours.