Can Dogs Eat Quinoa?
Yes! Cooked quinoa is a healthy and nourishing grain with multiple health benefits. You can share this super grain with your dogs. When you prepare quinoa for your dog, make sure it’s plain and cooked thoroughly. Quinoa is a good protein source and is rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, which makes it a good source of energy.
In this article, we’ll explain more about grains and how they’re used in dog food. But all in all, quinoa can be a good addition to your dog’s staple food, which is animal-based protein.
Quinoa health benefits for dogs
Dogs don’t need a lot of grains in their diet, but they can benefit from having some. A balanced diet for dogs should mostly consist of animal-based proteins because that’s what keeps them healthy and strong.
Most dog foods already have grains like rice, oats, and barley, which provide energy and help with digestion. But really, protein should be the main focus to support muscle development, energy, and overall health.
Quinoa is one of those versatile grains we love to use in all kinds of dishes, from salads to sides. It has a nutty flavor and is packed with nutrients. When you give quinoa to your dog, you’re adding a nutrient-rich food that goes well with their protein-based diet. Here are some health benefits of quinoa for dogs:
Adding quinoa to your dog’s diet can offer these benefits, but remember to keep it as a supplement to their main protein-rich food.
Essential nutrients in quinoa
Quinoa is full of good nutrients that can benefit both humans and dogs. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals, including:
How to cook quinoa for your dog
To cook quinoa for your dog:
- Start by thoroughly rinsing one cup of quinoa under cold water to remove any residual bitterness (from saponins).
- Combine the rinsed quinoa with two cups of water in a pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and the water is fully absorbed.
Once cooked, let the quinoa cool completely before serving it to your dog. Remember, plain quinoa is best—avoid adding any seasoning, salt, or spices.
The best recipe is cooked quinoa with mashed carrot (also cooked) and beef! This is like a dog stew, and my dog loves this.
What about saponins?
Saponins are bitter-tasting compounds found in the outer coating of quinoa seeds. They serve as a natural defense mechanism for the plant against pests and diseases. However, they can also cause digestive issues if consumed in large quantities.
For dogs, saponins can be mildly toxic and cause gastrointestinal upset. Symptoms might include vomiting and diarrhea if consumed in significant amounts. To minimize the risk, it’s important to prepare quinoa properly before sharing it with your dog. But again, saponins are only dangerous in huge amounts, so please don’t worry.
How to reduce saponins in quinoa
- Rinse thoroughly: Before cooking quinoa, rinse it well under cold water. This helps to remove most of the saponins and reduce their potential effects.
- Cook properly: Always cook quinoa thoroughly before serving it to your dog. Cooking further reduces the saponin content and makes quinoa easier to digest.
A word on grains in dog food and grain-free dog diets
In the last decade, we’ve started to understand how to read food labels, learn about dog nutrition needs, and read research papers online about dog nutrition. Personally, I love this. This journey has helped me become a better dog parent to Ricco, and it has also helped me advise my mom on how to care for our Samoyed. It taught me how to talk to my vet and connected me with many like-minded people from all over the world.
In this house, we eat kibble with grains. When it comes to grains in dog food, many people are concerned because low-quality dog food often uses grains as fillers. This led to a trend where people started putting their dogs on grain-free diets, even if their dogs weren’t allergic to grains.
However, grain-free is not the best choice. Some folks are concerned about taurine levels because there have been reports linking grain-free diets to lower taurine levels, which could lead to a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, and a deficiency can cause serious heart problems. Some specific grain-free diets use unconventional protein and starch sources that can lower taurine levels in dogs, potentially leading to DCM.
However, this particular study found that the different diets tested, whether grain-free or grain-inclusive, did not negatively impact taurine levels in healthy adult dogs. This indicates that balanced diets, regardless of their carbohydrate sources, can maintain adequate taurine levels.
Adding quinoa to your dog’s diet can be a great idea if you do it right. Cooked quinoa is full of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support overall health. Just remember to rinse and cook quinoa thoroughly to get rid of any saponins and avoid digestive issues. Adding quinoa to their protein-rich diet gives your dog a variety of nutrients that help their well-being. Keep it plain and simple, and your dog will enjoy the benefits of this super grain.
Love, life, and fur forever!
FAQs
Can dogs eat red quinoa?
Yes, dogs can eat red quinoa. Just like white quinoa, red quinoa is loaded with nutrients and offers similar health benefits. Make sure you rinse it thoroughly and cook it plain before serving it to your dog.
Can dogs eat tri-color quinoa?
Absolutely, dogs can eat tri-color quinoa. This mix of white, red, and black quinoa provides a variety of nutrients and a slightly different texture. Just remember to rinse and cook it thoroughly without any seasoning before giving it to your dog.
Can dogs eat raw quinoa?
No, dogs should not eat raw quinoa. Raw quinoa has higher levels of saponins, which can cause digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea. Always rinse quinoa thoroughly and cook it completely before serving it to your dog.