When you think of sesame seeds, what comes to mind? Sesame seed buns, sesame chicken, or sesame sticks? These are all are foods that you may eat on a regular basis, but have you ever stopped and wondered, “can dogs eat sesame seeds?”
In this post we will uncover the truth about sesame seeds and how well your furry friend can handle them.
Can Dogs Eat Sesame Seeds?
To simply put it, yes, your dog can eat sesame seeds as they are not toxic to them. You may want to start by offering them a small portion of the seeds and see how they react and their body handles them to make sure that there are no allergic reactions.
As always, you will want to consult your vet about adding new foods to your dog’s diet.
You can easily incorporate sesame seeds into your dogs diet by sprinkling them on top of their dog food or mixing them into their treats if you make them homemade treats.
Did You Know?
Did you know that there are different kinds of sesame seeds? There are black sesame seeds and white sesame seeds.
There is a slight difference in taste between the two. White sesame seeds have a slight nuttier and sweeter taster than black sesame seeds that are a little more bitter.
They also contain different vitamins and nutritional value for your dog like calcium that helps with strong bones.
Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds
There are actually a lot of nutritional benefits in giving your dog sesame seeds. This human food is full of lots of essential nutrients like
- Magnesium
- Fiber
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B6
- Protein
- Calcium
- Healthy Fats
The fiber in them can help to promote a healthy gut in your canine companion.
Other potential health benefits of sesame seeds are that they also contain healthy fats like monounsaturated fats and omega-6 fatty acids that can help to lower cholesterol levels and remove inflammation from the body.
This can be a good thing, especially for an older dog that may suffer from arthritis.
Side Effects of Dogs Eating Sesame Seeds
There are a few things that could happen to your dog when consuming sesame seeds. When consumed in small quantities, they usually will not have a negative effect on you canine friend and they should not be in any immediate danger.
Stomach Upset
If you dog consumes sesame seeds in large amounts they could possibly cause an upset to their digestive system like diarrhea, vomiting or gas.
Weight Gain
Sesame sees are a very high calorie food with just a tablespoon of sesame seeds containing 50 calories. They are also high in fat, with 70% of their calories come from fat.
By your canine companion consuming too many sesame seeds, you dog will be at risk of gaining weight and that can have a negative effect on their joint health.
Allergic Reactions
It is very rare for a dog to show signs of being allergic to sesame seeds, however they can occasionally happen. If your dogs shows any of these following signs it may be best to contact a vet.
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Itchiness
- Hives
After you feed your dog a small amount of sesame seeds, it is always best to keep a close eye on them for the next 24 hours to make sure that an allergic reaction does not show up.
The main thing to remember is that if you feed sesame seeds to your dog, always start with a tiny amount and feed them in moderation. To much of any good thing is not good for any dog or even human.
How to Feed Your Dog Sesame
As long as you feed your dog small amounts of sesame seeds, they are perfectly safe for canine consumption. You can feed them to your dog both cooked and raw.
For your dog to get the most health benefits out of them and for easier digestion, it is best to grind them raw or roast them before serving.
If your dog is already eating a healthy and balanced diet, then there is probably no need to feed them these tiny seeds for their health issues. Feeding your dog sesame seeds on occasion is completely fine, but feeding them all the time or on a daily basis is usually not ideal.
With sesame seeds having such a high calorie content, there are plenty of other foods that can provide them with the same benefits with less calories such as cantaloupe or spinach.
If you want to feed your dog sesame seeds, you can sprinkle them into your dog’s food or mix them into their treats. You can also mix sesame oil into their food as an easy way to incorporate it into their diet.
What Type of Seeds Can Dogs Eat?
There are lots of seeds that that your dog can eat like
- Chia Seeds
- Flax Seed
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Hemp Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Quinoa
All these seeds can have tremendous health benefits for your dog’s body, but should always be added into their diet slowly and in moderation.
Remember that seeds have a higher fat content and should only be fed to your canine companion in small quantities and not every day. Feeding them too much and they could have the potential to gain weight and become obese which can lead to other health problems like diabetes, joint pain and even heart trouble.
Q & A’s
Here are some common questions that you have in regards to your dog and sesame.
Can dogs eat sesame paste?
This works great as a dog treat, but remember to only feed them small amount a couple times a week as it is high in fat and could lead to potential weight gain.
Can dogs eat sesame seed oil?
Yes, your dog can eat sesame oil. It has quite a few health benefits like it is an excellent source of lots of vitamins, antioxidants and contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Can dogs eat sesame chicken?
I think that this one comes down to can they or should they? Yes, dogs can eat sesame chicken, but should they? Probably not. It might cause weight gain and other unnecessary health problems for your dog as it is high in sugar and fats.
Can dogs eat sesame sticks?
I would say to stay clear of feeding your dog sesame sticks. The sesame itself is fine for your dog, but they could contain garlic which is not good for dogs at all. In fact, both garlic and onion are toxic to dogs in large amounts, so be sure to pay attention to that when feeding your dog different human foods.
What happens if dog eats sesame seeds?
With sesame seeds not being toxic or poisonous to your dog, there should not pose any severe threats to your dog’s health. Now, if they consume a larger quantity, it could possibly cause stomach upset because of the fiber that sesame seeds contain.
Can dogs eat bread with sesame seeds?
Yes, dogs can eat breads such as hamburger buns topped with sesame seeds in moderation. Typically, breads that have a lot of seeds and grains in them have a higher fiber content and tend to make your dog have gas or even have more frequent potty breaks, so always feed them these items in smaller amounts.
In conclusion, sesame seeds are a safe and non toxic human food for your dogs. As a pet owner, you will want to always monitor your dog after feeding it any new food. And, always feed your canine companion human food in moderation to avoid any serious health complications.
As always, contact your vet about any changes you want to make in your dog’s diet and care.
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