Can Dogs Eat Edamame? What To Know Before Feeding Fido

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Edamame is used to describe soybeans in the pod. Often eaten as a snack, edamame can be enjoyed with sauce or salt. Dogs can eat edamame as soy is perfectly safe to consume, provided there are no dietary restrictions for medical reasons. Chances are your pet already eats soy as one of the main protein sources in its dog food, though you ought to be cautious to see if there are any signs of allergy. That being said, people eat dog edamame as a healthy diet alternative, but it can also be good for your pet.

Health Benefits of Edamame for Dogs

Edamame is a nutritious legume as they carry several beneficial ingredients such as protein and fiber, which would keep your pet’s gastrointestinal system healthy. Other nutrients include calcium, which supports bone density, and vitamin C, which reduces the risk of inflammation.

They also come available with omega-three fatty acids that give your dog healthy skin and great fur. These nutrients are available from your meals, but these treats give an additional boost. The great thing with edamame beans is they are great for pups as well as mature dogs—however, always give only the best dog food for puppies as their digestive system is still developing. Eating edamame will also provide them with high dietary fiber and protein. The snack is low in fat then, meaning it can be easily included as a healthy snack.

Hazards of Edamame Beans

Though edamame is very nutritious, there are several scenarios where it would be a bad idea to feed it to your dog. The first is it can lead to bloating. Dog edamame is 70 percent carbohydrates, which can make your pet bloat, especially if it is covered in salt or soy sauce. There is also a risk of dog allergy. Most dogs react well to edamame, but others are allergic to soy.

Edamame are basically immature soybeans, so if your dog has an allergy feeding them would be out of the question. If the allergy is undiagnosed, it can present as skin irritation, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is also more common in puppies because their stomach acidity changes during the teething stages, making them more susceptible to allergies. The other significant risk is damage to the thyroid or worse, hypothyroidism in dogs.

Soybeans have estrogens known as isoflavones which imitate the effect of estrogen in the body and cause them to produce a lot of it. Unfortunately, that can lead to damage to the thyroid gland, and that leads to metabolic issues [1]. It can be handled if caught early, but on the safe side, it is wise to limit the amount of edamame in the dog’s diet.

How to Feed Dogs Edamame

If you opt to make plain edamame beans a part of the dog food, it is important to know the best means of preparing them for consumption. For one, not all edamame is suitable for the pet is not advisable to offer dogs processed soybean snacks with sodium or other additives. It is also not recommended to feed edamame beans to the dog, which has been cooked with spices and oils.

They can be fed to your dog raw as a snack, though you need to remove the pod as it can be tough to chew. The pod can cause blockage issues or choking hazards for small breeds. Offer a small amount because of the rich fiber content and stick to fresh edamame beans. The 10 percent rule still applies where the treat should not exceed 10 percent of their meal.

How Much Edamame Can You Give to Your Dog?

A handful of beans is not the brightest idea because though your pet will enjoy it, they will be paying for it later. Three or four beans per day should suffice for most dogs depending on the size. The tolerance of different dogs may vary, and how much you want to feed your dog every day. Whether the edamame is mixed with the dog’s kibbles or given as a separate treat, it is still an excellent addition to the menu.

Edamame Serving Ideas

Edamame beans can be given to your dog as a frozen treat because you do not have to worry about bloating. Before freezing them, please remove their shells to make them safe. You can put a handful of them in a ziplock bag and put them in the freezer. The temperature should cause freezing within a few hours.

Another approach would be to add a few of them to the dog food. That would be the easiest way to serve edamame beans. You may also mash the edamame to create something friendly for your dog, so remove the beans from the pods and mash them with some fruits. Please do not add any salts or oils to the food.

FAQs

Can dogs eat edamame raw?

Pet owners can have their dog eat edamame raw, cooked, or frozen, provided they are not spiced or have additives.

Can dogs be allergic to edamame?

Edamame is basically soy, and some dogs have an allergy to it. It presents in skin irritation, vomiting, and discomfort. Dogs that have soy allergies should not be fed any edamame beans.

Can dogs eat edamame beans in high quantities?

If you decide to incorporate the beans into your dog’s diet, do not give them a bunch of beans at first. Please begin by offering two or three beans at first.