Flaxseeds can be a great addition to a dog’s diet but not necessarily every day and all the time without any risk. Keep reading to know why.
Flax seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds…these seeds have become the new limelight of the fitness wave. Not like people didn’t know about them but social media has amped up their importance and now it looks like they are added to over 80% of the smoothies of the world and every ‘healthy’ bread option out there. There’s nothing wrong with it, though, Given the nutritional benefits they offer, they’ve earned their reputation.
Let’s dig down a little more into them to find out what exactly makes them so good and how good they are for dogs.
Firstly, it’s important to know that not everything that is good for humans is good for dogs. We’ve successfully converted dogs from being carnivorous to omnivorous, but their stomachs and intestines yet work a little differently than ours. While dogs can digest fruits and vegetables, they cannot digest some things as easily as we can.
Which side do flaxseeds belong to?
Flaxseeds come from a flowering ground flax plant. They were originally produced by Egyptian farmers along the Nile Valley for fibers and textiles. They eventually found their way to human food bowls for being a good source of dietary fiber and omega fatty acids. They can help improve digestion and reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. (1)
Now that we said that the digestive systems of humans and dogs work differently, you may wonder if dogs can digest these seeds as easily and extract the same benefits from them.
The answer is, yes. Small portions of flaxseed or flax oil in their food bowls can not only be safe but also provide health benefits to dogs. Here are the top benefits – (1)
Decrease inflammation – The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in these seeds can help improve their joint health by reducing inflammation and pain in joints and ligaments.
Boost immunity – Flaxseeds contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which breaks down into two antioxidants—eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a dog’s body. These chemicals can not only boost your dog's immune system but also improve their skin and maintain their coat of fur.
Aid digestion – Apart from the fatty acids, these seeds also contain high amounts of dietary fiber. It can improve your dog's gut biome, help them maintain regular bowel movements, and enhance their overall health.
Before you start adding some flax seed supplements to your dog’s food bowl every day, there’s something more you need to know. There are risks in feeding flaxseeds to your dog as well. (1)
Constipation – Feeding too many flaxseeds to your dog can pose a risk of constipation because of the high fiber content. They can block your dog’s digestive tract and cause constipation.
Nothing is good if eaten in excess!
Poisoning – You read it right. Flaxseeds contain natural cyanide. Your dog may never be able to eat so many of them to actually die from cyanide poisoning, but they could experience some dangerous side effects including loose stools, rapid heart rate, and elevated blood pressure if they eat a lot of them together.
Stomach upset – As we said earlier, nothing is good if eaten in excess. Eating a lot of flaxseeds can also cause gastrointestinal upset for your dog which can lead to issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If not treated in time, they could even cause severe dehydration in your dog.
How Much Flaxseed Should I Give My Dog?
As a thumb rule, when introducing any new food element to your dog’s diet, always start small and observe any unusual reactions. In the case of flaxseeds, 1/8 teaspoon is a good place to start for a small dog. You can go up to ½ a teaspoon for bigger dogs. (5)
This is how you can add them to your dog’s diet –
Grind the recommended quantity of flax seeds, add to plain yogurt and top your dog’s meal with it.
Drizzle some flax oil over your dog’s meal.
Replace the egg in some of the dog recipes with 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed mixed with 2 tablespoons of warm water.
Is Flaxseed Good for Dogs with Itchy Skin?
The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseeds can help reduce itchiness and dryness of a dog’s skin. The anti-inflammatory property can also help with skin conditions like allergies and dermatitis. In 2017, researchers found that increasing the levels of dietary ALA (the primary omega-3 in flaxseeds) helped improve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis in dogs. (2)
It is recommended that you consult your vet before using flaxseeds or flaxseed oil as a solution for your dog’s skin problems.
Is Flaxseed Oil Good for Dogs?
Flaxseed oil is one of the most common supplements for dogs and can help to provide anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body. The recommended quantity depends on the size of the dog. You can start with a 1/2 -1 teaspoon for small dogs and go up to 1 full tablespoon per day for the large ones.
The recommendation here again would be to start small and gradually increase the quantity if you see no unusual reactions in your dog.
Is Flaxseed Good for Dogs with Kidney Disease?
Yes, the anti-inflammatory properties of flaxseeds can help reduce inflammatory compounds that stress the kidneys. This can help slow the progression of chronic kidney disease in dogs. It is also used as a dietary supplement to treat other conditions like allergies, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, and some types of cancer in dogs. (3)
More about Spot Pet Insurance
Flaxseeds or flax seed oil can be a great addition to your pet’s diet. But sometimes, you may also unknowingly feed them foods that can cause digestive upset and other problems for them. Too much barley, for example, can not only cause digestive issues but also allergic reactions, weight gain and pancreatic inflammation.
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Audrey Halfen: Beta fish whisperer - whopping 9 months and counting! Once had a dog named Max, who I assertively claim is the cutest dog ever. Ready to throw down in a cute-off, if necessary.
