We cook regularly using quinoa but, just like rice, often make far too much for the family to eat.
You may have the same problem and, if you are like me and dislike wasting food then you may be thinking of giving it to your dog.
Quinoa is safe for your dog to eat, provided that it is cooked and you do not overfeed this to your dog. Uncooked quinoa can cause stomach upsets and diarrhoea. and, should your dog experience difficulty after eating it you should not feed it again.
Can dogs eat quinoa?
Yes, dogs can eat quinoa, my dogs enjoy it particularly when it is mixed into wet dog food such as the tripe that they eat.
We recommend that you do not feed quinoa too often to your pet and you should introduce it to his diet gradually so that you don’t upset his tummy.
You shouldn’t feed quinoa to a puppy or an unwell spaniel as they need all the animal based protein that they can consume.
What is quinoa?
Quinoa is a gluten free seed based, whole grain carbohydrate.
It is also a whole protein which means that it contains all of the nine essential amino acids.
Why is quinoa healthy for my dog?
All varieties of quinoa are packed with nutrients and many claim that it has natural healing properties.
It contains a large amount of natural protein and is a staple part of the diet for people that are vegetarian due to this and it’s high content of amino acids.
This natural product is low in fat and is packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals.
That said, quinoa is plant based and should only be fed to your dog as an addition to a normal, meat based dog diet.
Is Quinoa toxic to dogs?
Quinoa is not toxic for dogs but it is important that you always feed it cooked, when it has cooled.
If you feed uncooked Quinoa to your dog then you can cause a severe digestive problem for him which could be painful and result in diarrhea or constipation.
Nutrients that dogs get from quinoa
Quinoa has some great nutritional qualities for you and your pet. When compared to more popular grains it is a better source of protein and fiber, iron and B vitamins.
It contains 15 percent protein and is low fat.
The US Department of Agriculture state that every cup of quinoa contains:
222 calories
39 grams of carbohydrate
8 grams of protein
6 grams of fat
5 grams of fiber
1 gram of sugar
Just a small amount of quinoa can provide a healthy option for your dog when added to his daily meals.
How to add quinoa to a dog’s diet
When you make any changes to your dog’s diet, including giving him new foods, you should always introduce the new food gradually.
If you give your pet too much quinoa, then the high protein content could give him an upset stomach.
The best way is to add a small cup of quinoa to his normal dog food, making sure that it is well mixed in.
The quinoa should always be well cooked and should be cold when you give it to your dog.
You cannot feed quinoa on it’s own to your dog, he needs more nutrients and other animal based food sources to stay fit and healthy. Adding a quantity to his food is the best and safe way.
Can I feed quinoa every day?
Yes, you can. Many commercial dog foods contain quinoa as one of their base ingredients and it is a safer and better option than grains and other plant based protein sources.
One thing to avoid is to never give your dog quinoa that has been mixed with other ingredients such as onion or garlic.
Often these are included in many packages of quinoa as flavorings to mask the otherwise bitter taste.
Onions and garlic can be toxic to dogs so best to avoid any human flavored versions and always cook quinoa that contains no additional ingredients.
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So, can dogs eat quinoa?
Quinoa is a healthy food for both people and dogs and your pet can benefit from the addition of this natural product to his diet.
But don’t feed it on it’s own and don’t rely on quinoa as the only food source.
Remember that he is a carnivore and needs meat and animal based foods for his main diet.
You can add quinoa but do it gradually and feed it to him mixed into his normal dog food.
