Dogs are like family members, and we want to keep them healthy and happy. That’s why many dog owners turn to dog food for their pet’s nutrition.
But what about human food? Can dogs eat edamame? The answer may surprise you!
From health benefits to dangers and potential side effects, read on to find out if dogs can eat edamame and how much is safe.
Firstly…
Can My Dog Eat Edamame?
Yes! Edamame can be safely fed to your dog as a healthy snack. Edamame is high in omega-3, vitamin C, and calcium. It can help your dog have a healthy coat, skin, and reduce the risk of developing diabetes or obesity.
Avoid seasonings though, such as salt and soy sauce as they can cause your dog to become dehydrated.
Health Benefits Of Dogs Eating Edamame
As mentioned, edamame is very high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C. Indeed edamame beans are one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables your dog can eat.
Here are just a few benefits of giving edamame to your dog.
Healthy And Nutritious
Eating edamame allows your pup to get all of its beneficial nutrients without sacrificing taste. These nutrients are important for your dog’s health as they provide lots of energy and keep bones strong, supporting dental health.
Omega-3 helps to promote healthy skin and coat, as well as improve joint health and reduce inflammation. It also contributes to overall brain and eye health and can help reduce the risk of heart disease
A Great Source Of Vitamin C, Calcium
Like humans, dogs need vitamin C to stay healthy and ward off illness. Edamame is a natural source of this essential vitamin which helps your dog’s immune system remain strong.
Vitamin C strengthens immune function, helping to prevent infections and diseases. It also helps to produce collagen for healthy skin, cartilage, tendons and ligaments.
An equal amount of edamame and tofu provides 100mg vitamin C, whilst a chicken breast or tuna steak only contains 23-25mg. This is an essential nutrient for your dog’s health and should be included in their diet whenever possible.
Regulate the digestive system
Edamame is high in dietary fiber and protein, making it an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. It’s also low in fat, meaning it can be easily included as a healthy snack with routine meals.
Fiber plays a big part in your dog’s digestive system and keeps the gut moving. This prevents constipation and also stimulates the digestive enzymes in your dog’s stomach.
Dangers And Side Effects Of Overfeeding Edamame To Your Dog
Like with all human foods, there are some potential risks to feeding your dog edamame.
These include:
Bloating
This is the most common. Edamame beans are made up of about 70% carbohydrates. This includes fiber and sugar, both of which can cause your dog to bloat if eaten in large quantities. The risk is even higher if it’s been coated in salt or a salty sauce!
As a result, always be careful not to serve too much edamame to your dog.
Risks Of Allergies
While edamame is generally safe for dogs, some may still find they are allergic to soy. If your dog has an allergy, it could break out in hives or start vomiting and sneezing.
This is more common for puppies as their stomach acidity changes when they’re teething. This makes it easier for them to become allergic to the food they eat. Always consult with your vet if you suspect this is the case.
If your dog does have an allergy, stick with low-allergenic foods like rice, chicken and vegetables.
Damage To The Thyroid
Soybeans contain plant estrogens called isoflavones. These can mimic the effects of estrogen in your dog’s body and cause them to produce too much of it.
This overproduction of estrogen can damage or shrink your pup’s thyroid gland. In turn, this affects their metabolism and puts them at risk of developing hypothyroidism.
The effects can be reversed if caught early but take a while to show up. It’s also more common in older dogs who have been exposed to estrogen from other sources for longer periods.
However, it is still safe to give small amounts of edamame from time to time without worrying too much about this side effect.
Can Be Difficult To Digest
Soybeans contain trypsin inhibitors that interfere with digestion. These may even be carcinogenic, but humans frequently eat soy products so the levels are considered safe in moderation.
This means you should always remove the shell and sprout your edamame beans before serving them to your dog. This process, known as germination, reduces the number of inhibitors in soybeans and makes them easier for your dog to digest.
Edamame is also high in fiber. Eating too much fiber, for example, can cause inflammation in the gut. This is because your dog’s stomach doesn’t have enough of the enzymes it needs to digest all of the fiber they’re eating.
This is why it’s so important to remove the shell before feeding them edamame, as this makes it easier for them to digest.
4 Easy Edamame Serving Ideas
1. Frozen Treat
Edamame can also be served as a delicious frozen treat. This way, you won’t have to worry about bloat or other side effects from eating too much of them at once!
Before freezing them, remove the shells as this will make them safer for your pup when eating. Simply pop a handful of shelled edamame beans in a Ziploc bag and stick it in the freezer. The cold temperature will cause them to freeze in a matter of hours.
Once they’re frozen, take the bag out and let them thaw for a bit so they become soft and easy to break apart. It should only take a few minutes.
2. Sprinkled On Top Of Dinner
Another idea is to sprinkle a handful of edamame on top of your pup’s dinner. This is the easiest and quickest way to serve it! It also helps give their plate a more balanced nutritional profile.
However, remember to remove the shells before serving.
3. Steamed Or Cooked
Even if you cook edamame yourself, why not make extra for your furry friend?
Remember, always take the beans out of the pods to avoid any choking and digestive issues. Don’t give your dog edamame with oils, salts, or other seasonings.
They won’t enjoy the after-effects, even though they might enjoy the taste!
4. Mashed
You can also mash up edamame to create your unique dog-friendly dish. Just remove the beans from their pods and mush them with some vegetables or fruits that you know they enjoy.
Again, don’t add any salts or oils to this dish, as these could cause gastrointestinal problems for your pup.
Also, serve in small portions to avoid the risk of your pup developing bloat.
People Also Ask
How Much Edamame Can A Dog Eat?
You can give them a couple of shelled and sprouted beans at a time in moderation. This reduces the risk of digestive problems and is considered safe in small servings. By giving too much they could develop digestive side effects like bloat and damage to the thyroid.
Why Do Dogs Love Edamame?
Edamame is high in protein and has a crunchy, tasty shell. It’s also easy to eat while your pup is on the go or while you’re out at work so they might enjoy it more than their regular kibble. It’s also a healthy alternative that is high in vitamins and minerals.
Can Edamame Hurt Dogs?
Yes, if you give them too much. As is the case with most dog-friendly foods, especially in their raw form, it’s easy to give your pup too much of something they love in one serving. Because of this, you should always serve in moderation and keep an eye on how much they are eating in case they have any negative side effects.
Conclusion
Can dogs eat edamame? Yes, as you can see, edamame is a great addition to your dog’s diet in small amounts.
Remember to remove the shells for their safety and watch servings to avoid any digestive problems.
If they eat too much of it when not properly prepared, they could suffer from bloat or other digestive issues. If you’re ever concerned about your dog’s health, always speak to your vet first.
When served correctly, however, edamame is a great healthy, low-calorie snack that will give your pup the nutrition they need!
Do you feed your dog edamame? What is your favorite way of serving edamame to your dog?
Let us know in the comments below.
