Have you ever eaten edamame? If not, do you know what edamame is? Edamame is immature soybeans that are still inside their pod. They might also be served out of the shell as part of stir fries or served as a side dish on their own.
If you routinely enjoy edamame as part of your diet, you may find yourself wondering, “can dogs eat edamame?” Sometimes it makes sense to share our food with our fur babies, and sometimes it doesn’t. Let’s find out which is the case with edamame.
Can Dogs Have Edamame?
Plain edamame beans are fine for your dog in small amounts. They are non-toxic and can be eaten raw, steamed, cooked, or frozen. If your dog has a known allergy to soy, edamame would not be safe for your pup.
Benefits of Edamame for Dogs
Edamame contains protein, fiber, calcium, vitamin C, and Omega 3. If you are already providing a nutrient-rich, well-balanced diet, there is no reason to supplement with edamame unless it’s simply a treat for your pooch. Remember to avoid edamame beans that have added seasonings because seasonings like salt, garlic, or soy sauce can be harmful to your pet.
Hazards of Feeding Your Dog Edamame
Edamame is healthy but isn’t recommended as a regular portion of your dog’s diet. Soy and soy products (like edamame) can be a common allergen for dogs. Keeping this in mind, only offer your dog a small amount of edamame at first. You may not see signs of an allergy at first, but there are distinct symptoms to watch for.
Those symptoms include:
Aside from allergies, there are other health issues that your dog could develop if they eat edamame regularly. There can be damage to the thyroid and liver, or it can cause problems with your animal’s reproductive health.
Ideas for Giving Edamame to Your Dog
There are several ways to present edamame to your dog. One way to include the vegetable in your dog’s diet is to sprinkle raw beans on top of their dinner. You can also steam or cook them and include them in a meal you make for your dog. You might also consider giving them as a frozen treat in summer.
Can Dogs Have Other Vegetables?
Let’s look at asparagus first. Raw asparagus is too tough for your dog to eat, and cooking it enough to make it edible takes away all the nutrients, so while it’s technically okay, it’s better avoided. A better choice would be bell pepper or broccoli, both of which are high in vitamin C.
The antioxidants in celery and cucumber can help keep your dog acting young and healthy. Pickles are okay, but only in moderation, because vinegar, salt, and other pickling spices are harmful in large amounts. Carrots are safe and offer vitamins A, K, and B6, as well as biotin and potassium.
You should steam cauliflower before giving it to your dog and be aware that it can cause gas. Only offer small pieces of lettuce because it’s a choking hazard, and lettuce can help your dog stay hydrated. Don’t give your dog onions or other aromatics because they can hurt the dog’s kidneys and cause low iron levels.
Can Dogs Eat Fruit?
If you have an older dog, it can benefit from the fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C in apples. Bananas are packed with fiber, biotin, and potassium, but they should only be given in moderation because they are high in sugar. Cantaloupe is also high in sugar but is a good source of water, fiber, and other nutrients.
If your dog needs extra vitamin C, oranges or kiwi are good choice. Remove the peel and seeds from oranges or melons before you give them to your dog because the seeds can be toxic. Papaya seeds, and cherry seeds have cyanide, so you should avoid the seeds of the papaya and avoid cherries altogether. You can give the fruit of the papaya in small bites.
Dates are a once in a while snack because too many dates can lead to an overweight dog. Blueberries are a great treat for your dog because they are rich in antioxidants. Pure pumpkin is excellent for your dog’s coat and for digestion. Don’t offer things like pumpkin pie filling to your dog, as it can have additives that are toxic.
Can Dogs Have Seafood?
If you’re a fan of seafood, you may wonder if you can share your favorite fish with your pup. Salmon and canned tuna packed in water are both okay for your dog in moderation. Seaweed is okay in pre-packaged snacks, without salt, garlic, and onion, but don’t allow your dog to eat raw seaweed at the bench.
Only offer shrimp in moderation because it can be a high cholesterol food. Small amounts of crab are usually okay for your dog, but there is a risk of an allergic reaction, so monitor your pet closely if you give it crab. Dogs can have lobster in moderation if it has been simply cooked. Check with your veterinarian before offering lobster to your pet.
Can Dogs Eat Beans?
Dogs can eat some kinds of beans. Black beans, lima beans, and pinto beans are okay in moderation, but they have been known to cause gas. Garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas, provide an excellent source of fiber and protein for your dog, but make sure to give unseasoned garbanzo beans to avoid toxins. Green beans are an excellent choice for your dog because they are full of fiber, iron, calcium, and vitamins A, C, B6, and K.
Can Dogs Have Dry Fruit or Nuts?
Do you like to snack on dry fruit or nuts? If so, you will want to know whether your fur baby can share your snack. If you’re snacking on nuts, cashews and pistachios are generally safe and non-toxic snacks for your pup. However, don’t give your pet almonds because they can’t digest them easily. Raisins and grape are also to be avoided because they can cause kidney damage.
Final Thoughts
Edamame is non-toxic, but it can be a common allergen for dogs. Consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about feeding your dog this or any other vegetable. It’s essential to start giving your dog edamame slowly and watch for signs of an allergic reaction.
