Is quinoa good for dogs

Can Dogs Eat Quinoa? (and Is It Safe?)

Quinoa is the seed of a plant that been eaten by humans for thousands of years. It has gained popularity in recent times as it is a gluten-free and provides a wide array of nutrients. For humans, it is often eaten as an alternative to rice and other grains. But is quinoa safe for dogs? Read on to discover the potential benefits of feeding quinoa to dogs as well as the potential drawbacks.

Can Dogs Eat Quinoa?

Quinoa is an ingredient in many dog foods today. It's often used as a replacement for grains like wheat, corn and rice. Besides being a source of complex carbohydrates, fiber and essential amino and fatty acids, quinoa provides a number of vitamins and minerals. These include:

• Iron
• Calcium
• Copper
• Zinc
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Vitamin E
• B vitamins

The essential nutrients found in quinoa support a healthy and shiny coat, healthy teeth and nails and strong bones. The nutrients in quinoa (and other grains and seeds) help support metabolism, blood sugar levels, brain function and can be good sources of energy for daily activities.

Is Quinoa Safe For Dogs?

Quinoa is coated with a naturally-occurring chemical called saponin that protects it from insects while it grows. This chemical has been known to cause intestinal irritation in both humans and dogs, says American Kennel Club. Additionally, when feeding your dog a balanced food, adding any additional ingredients, including quinoa, is not recommended as it will add extra calories and upset the balance of the nutrients in the meal. This can lead to health issues over time.

Some dogs run into digestive difficulties when consuming plant matter that hasn't been properly cooked. Feeding them quinoa might cause an upset stomach along with vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. The oxalates contained in plants can also increase inflammation in dogs, which could exacerbate pain in dogs with arthritis. Another thing to keep in mind is that quinoa is often prepared with other ingredients, such as salt, onions, beans, meats and spices, which might be harmful to your dog's health. For this reason, it's never a good idea to feed your dog quinoa that's been prepared for humans not even a small taste off of your plate.

Feeding Quinoa to Your Dog

Before feeding anything to your dog it is always best to consult your dog's veterinarian, but can dogs eat quinoa? Yes, when it's properly prepared in a digestible form and in the right amounts as part of a complete and balanced meal can be fed to dogs. In general, it's always best to bypass all of the associated risks by avoiding giving your dog table food.

Contributor Bio

Jean Marie Bauhaus

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet lover, freelance writer and novelist. She currently lives in the Ozarks with her husband and their gaggle of four-footed dependents, where she enjoys watching a wide array of wild animals in her back yard while drinking her morning coffee.

Can Dogs Eat Quinoa?

NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially people foods. What might be OK for one

You might be curious about whether your dog can have quinoa as youre cooking some of this healthy dish. The super nutritious grain has gained popularity as a smart addition to salads and side dishes, but can dogs eat quinoa, or should they steer clear?

Good news: When fed in moderation, dogs can eat quinoa. But there are a few things to keep in mind when giving your dog this new food. Heres what you need to know about sharing quinoa with your dog, including potential health benefits, recommended portion sizes, and how to prepare it safely.

Is Quinoa Good for Dogs?

Quinoa can be a nutritious addition to your dog's food dish, especially as a topper to their usual kibble. This nutritious whole grain is rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Quinoa also contains essential amino acids that may help keep muscles healthy. And because its gluten-free, this grain can even be a suitable option for dogs that have gluten sensitivities.

Adding a few bites of quinoa into your dog's regular dog food diet can be an easy, tasty way to boost their fiber intake, which helps promote healthy digestion. Not just a fiber-filled snack, quinoa also contains several vitamins and minerals that your dog needs to stay healthy. Quinoa is a source of magnesium, phosphorus, and ironnutrients that can help support your pups overall health and boost their immune system.

How Much Quinoa Can Dogs Eat?

How much quinoa your dog can eat depends on your pups size, weight, and overall health. You should always check with your vet to be sure quinoa is OK to add to your dogs diet, as they will be able to offer tailored recommendations based on your dogs own health history.

As always with new foods, go slow! Even though quinoa is safe for dogs to eat, too much of a good thing can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea. Offer a small bite at first and monitor their reaction. If there are no adverse effects within a few hours, its fine to gradually increase the amount.

• Extra-small dog (220 pounds) = 1 tablespoon cooked quinoa per day (or less)

• Small dog (2130 pounds) = 23 tablespoons cooked quinoa per day (or less)

• Medium dog (3150 pounds) = 1/4 cup cooked quinoa per day (or less)

• Large dog (5190 pounds) = 1/3 cup cooked quinoa per day (or less)

• Extra-large dog (91+ pounds) = 1/2 cup cooked quinoa per day (or less)

How To Prepare Quinoa for Dogs

If youre hoping to add a boost of fiber and minerals to your dogs diet, try incorporating a few spoonfuls of cooked, plain quinoa as a food topper to their usual meal. Only offer plain, cooked quinoa. Avoid any seasoned kinds that contain onion, garlic, or extra salt, and cook according to the package instructions. Let it cool and mix in with their kibble, or sneak some extra dog-safe veggies in with it as well.

If youre cooking a batch of quinoa for yourself and want to share with your furry friend, make sure to set aside their portion before you add any extra ingredients. Be especially careful of seasoning blends or spices, and extra vigilant that any quinoa blends do not contain additives that may be toxic to dogs.

Other Foods Dogs Can Eat

Quinoa may be gaining popularity as a healthy grain, but its not the only human food thats considered safe for dogs to eat. Many other dog-safe foods are fine to share with your pet (as long as your vet gives the OK, of course). Just remember that any food you share with your dog should not contain added seasoning or harmful ingredients, and steer clear of foods high in fat or sugar.

• Lean proteins like chicken, turkey, and salmon

• Plain cooked vegetables, such as carrots, green beans, peas, and sweet potato

• Fruits like apples, blueberries, strawberries, mango, watermelon, and banana

• Cooked squash, including pumpkin and zucchini

• Whole grains and plain cooked rice

• Greens like spinach, lettuce, and kale

Even though these foods are typically considered safe for healthy adult dogs to eat, always be mindful of amounts. A general guideline is the 10% rule: Treats (even the healthy ones like these) should only make up 10% of your dog's calories. Their primary nutrition should come from a well-balanced dog food thats made specifically to meet their nutritional needs.

Featured Image: Phynart Studio/E+ via Getty Images

WRITTEN BY

April Saylor

Freelance Writer

Can Dogs Eat Quinoa? What Are the Health Benefits of Quinoa for Dogs?

Over the years, quinoa has risen to popularity as a staple food for people with celiac disease, and for those who seek out healthier diet options.

And most recently, these nutritious seeds also caught the attention of pet parents who are looking for ways to add variation to their pups diet. But, can dogs eat quinoa?

Quinoa is a highly nutritious edible seed native to South America, where it has been a prominent food source for 6,000 years. It is also often used as a substitute for rice, which explains why a lot of people regard it as a grain, and not as a seed.

Coined as a superfood, quinoa comes as close as any other in the plant or animal kingdom in providing a wide array of essential nutrients to both humans and animals.

And this is because it is a complete protein. Or it contains all the essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own; and therefore must only come from the foods that we eat.

Quinoa is indeed a powerhouse of nutrition, and its just right for it to be regarded as one of the healthiest foods of all time. But again, can dogs eat quinoa?

Can Dogs Eat Quinoa? Is It Safe To Give?

As mentioned earlier, quinoa is an extremely nutritious edible seed for both humans and animals. But in particular, is it safe for dogs?

Fortunately, yes, our canine companions can eat quinoa. It isnt toxic to them, so, its completely safe to feed your dog quinoa.

In fact, it is an ingredient in a lot of high-quality dry dog foods that you can purchase from a pet store near you. Its outstanding nutritional profile makes it a healthier alternative to starches that are commonly used in kibbles.

However, just like with any human food that we incorporate into our dogs diet, theres always a bit of a catch. If your pup has never eaten quinoa before, make sure to start with a small amount and gradually increase if he doesnt exhibit any adverse reaction.

While quinoa is generally safe for dogs, some of our canine friends may be allergic to it, and some may have a hard time digesting it. So, its always best to start with a small amount and observe your pups reaction.

For more tips on how to properly use quinoa for your dogs diet, check out the serving ideas section at the later part of this article.

Health Benefits of Quinoa for Dogs

Okay, so now, weve strongly established that quinoa is highly packed with nutrients that are beneficial for dogs. But to be more specific, whats in it for your dog? Why should you add quinoa to your pups dog food or give it as a treat?

As dog owners, we should know what to expect from giving this edible seed to our pets? Or should we just stick to feeding them their favorite dog foods, since theyve been used to eating these after all?

Below are benefits of quinoa for dogs that could be enough reasons for you to give it a try:

1. Excellent Source of Nutrients

Quinoa is loaded with vitamins and minerals that are needed for your dogs overall health. It is gluten-free, which makes it a healthy alternative for dogs with food allergies, specifically to foods that contain grains, such as wheat, barley, rye, and oats.

It is also packed with B-vitamins such as riboflavin, vitamin E, and folate. And it is rich in minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, magnesium, and several essential amino acids.

But while quinoa is considered a complete protein, it still cant replace meat as your dogs primary source of this essential nutrient. Nonetheless, it can be a great addition to your pups menu.

2. High Levels of Antioxidants

Due to quinoas high levels of antioxidants, it can also help reduce free radicals, prevent cellular damage in the body, and help fight cancer.

3. Good for Heart Health and Weight Management

Just like healthy grains, quinoa is also beneficial for your pups cardiovascular health. It is also rich in fiber, so it is good for digestion, which, in turn, is important in weight management.

In addition, quinoa is low in calories and fat content, high in protein, and has a low glycemic index.

4. Helpful in Reducing Inflammation

Another benefit that can be associated with quinoas high levels of antioxidants is its effectiveness in reducing inflammation.

The prevention of inflammation in the body plays an important role in reducing a dogs risk for any disease, and in achieving and sustaining good overall health.

Serving Ideas and Symptoms to Watch Out For

When adding quinoa to your dogs diet for the first time, dont overwhelm him with huge servings. Instead, start with a small amount and gradually increase until you reach the desired amount for your pups size and energy level.

You can also start by giving your canine companion dog treats that contain quinoa. And remember that dog treats should only account for 10% of your pups caloric intake.

To avoid health problems, dont give your dog quinoa that came straight from your plate. Most often, human foods contain seasonings and ingredients that can be toxic to your pup.

Also, make sure to wash the quinoa first and cook it before serving it to your dog. The quinoa plant contains a chemical compound called saponin, which it produces naturally to protect itself from insects.

While this compound is beneficial for the quinoa plant, it can cause stomach irritation both in humans and dogs when consumed in huge amounts.

Moreover, the human digestive system may also be less sensitive to saponin than that of a dog. Hence, your pup may be more prone to experience the side effects of this compound than humans.

And though quinoa only contains a small amount of saponin to cause a significant reaction to dogs, its still best to avoid any potential side effects. And this can be done by simply washing the seeds to remove most of these toxic compounds off their surface.

Quinoa also contains oxalates, which can increase inflammation and cause digestive issues in some dogs. This is why its not advisable to give this edible seed to senior dogs, especially those with arthritis.

When your dog has never eaten quinoa, you will know if his body is having issues with it if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Oral pain or pawing at the mouth

If your dog has an underlying medical condition or if he generally has a sensitive stomach, its best to consult your vet before adding something new to his diet.

Can I feed my dog cooked quinoa?

Yes. Quinoa is not toxic to dogs, but can cause severe digestive upset if fed uncooked, so always serve quinoa to your dog after is has been cooked.

Is Quinoa harmful to dogs?

Though quinoa is generally a healthy food for dogs, some canines might have difficulty digesting it. If your dog experiences vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation after consumption, refrain from feeding it to him again. You should never give your dog quinoa directly off your plate.

Is Quinoa better for dogs than brown rice?

No, quinoa is not toxic for dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, the edible seed is actually an ingredient in some high-quality dry dog foods. Its strong nutritional profile makes it a healthy alternative to corn, wheat, and soy starches that are often used to make kibble.

Does quinoa give dogs diarrhea?

While quinoa has not been known to cause the typical food allergy related reactions in dogs, it can. In most cases, severe diarrhea is the most commonly seen symptom of a quinoa allergy. If introduced gradually without any adverse side effects, quinoa should be safe for your dog to consume.