Water chestnut is the crisp aquatic corm of Eleocharis dulcis, grown in flooded fields and sold fresh, peeled, canned, or jarred. It is used in stir-fries, spring rolls, salads, and stuffing because it stays crunchy after cooking. Plain water chestnut provides carbohydrate, water, and fiber.
Canned water chestnuts are often packed in brine, and pickled versions may contain vinegar, salt, or sugar. Prepared dishes commonly combine water chestnuts with soy sauce, garlic, onions, and rich meats. Those additions are less suitable for pets than plain rinsed pieces.
For pets, only small pieces of plain cooked or rinsed water chestnut should be considered. Large chunks can be swallowed whole and may irritate digestion. Avoid seasoned canned products and mixed stir-fry leftovers.
The firm texture remains even after cooking, so pieces should be diced small before any sharing.
