Watercress

Cats need no vegetables, so a small washed sprig of watercress is at most a novel treat that adds a little water.

One small teaspoonful, chopped (blanched for older cats or those with weaker immunity), without reducing main-diet intake and within about 10% of daily energy intake.

Rinse each sprig under running water, trim the coarse stems, blanch until soft and chop very finely; add no seasoning and never dress it with vinaigrette.

**Wash watercress thoroughly, as it grows in water**, and blanch it for cats with weaker immunity; brassica glucosinolates may affect the thyroid, so keep it small and never feed dishes with onion, garlic or dressing.

Watercress is very low in calories and provides vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A and a little calcium, so it makes a light green vegetable treat now and then.

1-2 tablespoons of chopped watercress per serving (about a teaspoon for a small dog) within about 10% of daily energy intake, with complete dog food as the main diet.

Rinse each sprig under running water to lift the grit, trim the coarse stems, then either offer a small amount raw or blanch until soft and chop it; **add no salt, oil, vinegar, garlic or dressing**.

**Wash watercress thoroughly, as it grows in water**, and blanch it for puppies or weaker patients since raw greens carry bacteria; brassica glucosinolates may affect the thyroid, so keep servings small and skip vinaigrette or onion soup.