Yes, dogs can eat edamame. Plain, unflavored edamame beans are not toxic as long as you do not add any seasonings, dyes, or spices. Edamame is rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. Giving your dog a small amount will serve as a nutritious and delicious snack.
Can dogs eat edamame beans? These soybeans are a delicious snack you can find in supermarkets and Asian markets all over the country.
Did you walk away from your snack and find your dog pigging out on edamame beans, or do you simply want to share something you love with your canine companion? Either way, it’s perfectly safe for dogs to consume them moderation as long you’re preparing edamame beans properly.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything dog owners need to know about feeding their dog edamame.
Are edamame beans safe for Dogs?
Edamame is completely safe for dogs to eat, so if you found your pup munching on some, you don’t have a lot to worry about.
There are a number of health benefits in edamame but there are a few concerns such as choking and overconsumption of soy which we’ll get to in the following paragraphs. As always consult a vet anytime you make major changes to your pup’s diet.
If you’re afraid to call your vet because of how much their services may cost then you should use Pet Assure to save as much as 25% on your Dog’s veterinary care.
Can I Share Edamame beans with My Dog?
Is your dog a beggar? We know what it’s like to be munching on your favorite snack and have your dog by your side whining for some. While it usually happens when we eat junk food, it can happen with healthy stuff like edamame as well.
In fact, most dogs love edamame because it’s crunchy and delicious. The reason they love it above all is because you’re eating it and your pup wants to do everything you do.
If you find your doggo begging for edamame, feel free to give them some every now and again. A little healthy treat won’t hurt them but keep in mind how consistent feeding of table food can leave them coming back for more.
Is Edamame Good for Dogs?
Edamame beans are immature soybeans, and that’s what gives them their green color. Traditional soybeans have a light brown or beige color, and that means they’re fully developed.
The beans are sold in their pods, but you don’t eat the pod. You take the beans out and pop them in your mouth like a jelly bean.
While it might not hurt them, if you decide to feed your dog edamame, you don’t want to give them the pods because they have a bitter taste and sometimes sharp texture that can be difficult going down. To on the safe give just the beans
Let’s talk more specifically about the various benefits and risks of feeding your dogs edamame:
Health Benefits of Eating Edamame for Dogs
When you’re wondering if dogs can eat edamame, you might ask yourself if it’s even worth feeding it to them. Our main goal is to keep our pups healthy and happy, and you’ll be pleased to know that edamame contains a large number of health benefits.
It’s a great source of magnesium, protein, zinc, iron, and phosphorus, which are all essential nutrients for overall health and immune function.
Edamame also contains a lot of antioxidants and other vitamins. It’s been known to help with cardiovascular health and provide anti-inflammatory properties. Of course, you’d have to feed your canine a lot of it for them to experience these benefits, but this proves that a little won’t hurt them.
Health Risks if dogs eat edamame beans
The one thing that stands out right away is the soybean oil in edamame. This is one ingredient we tend to avoid in dog foods because it’s used as a filler and has a high risk for allergy in dogs. Also, soybeans cause digestive issues and diarrhea because of the fat content.
Since it can easily upset your dog’s stomach, we only recommend feeding it to them on occasion and in small quantities at a time.
There’s also the risk of feeding your dog bad edamame. Doing so can mess with your dog’s blood sugar levels and even cause salmonella poisoning. It’s not okay to ever feed your dog something that you wouldn’t eat yourself.
Lastly, you want to think about your dog specifically. Does your pup deal with any allergies or abnormalities in terms of their digestion? If they do, you might want to avoid feeding them edamame altogether.
If they have a sensitive stomach and get sick from a lot of normal table foods, the high fat, fiber, and protein in edamame will likely make them sick.
Raw vs Cooked Edamame Beans for Your Dog
It doesn’t matter whether you cook the edamame or give it to them raw. The most important thing is that you’re feeding your pup plain and fresh edamame.
If you’re picking it off the shelf, make sure it doesn’t have any added flavorings or colors either. Often flavorings have too much salt which can be unhealthy for dogs.
Sometimes edamame from the grocery store will come dusted with various powders to add spicy or sweet flavors.
These contain excess sodium that your dog doesn’t need. While it might not make them sick right away, it’s not something you want them to become used to tasting.
Can dogs eat edamame shells?
Another important factor to consider is the pod. You don’t want to feed your dog edamame in the pod because it can be a choking hazard. The pods are also difficult to digest, and consuming a large quantity of edamame pods can cause digestive issues.
How Much Edamame Can My Dog Eat?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question; your dog can eat edamame as long as it’s in moderation. If you have to question whether or not you’re giving your dog too much, you’re probably overfeeding them.
Most things are okay for dogs in moderation, and edamame is the same. As long as you’re feeding your dog a few edamame beans every now and then, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
How to Feed Your Dog edamame Safely
If you’ve decided that you’d like to incorporate a little edamame beans into your dog’s diet, there are some right and wrong ways to do it. First, you need to make sure that you’re only feeding them plain edamame without any added flavoring.
When you shop for edamame for human consumption, you’ll often find them coated in salt and other flavorings to make them more desirable for us to eat. You want to avoid this because it’s adding unnecessary sodium into your dogs diet and acclimating them to unnatural flavors that they shouldn’t be used to.
One of the best ways to prepare edamame beans for your dog is by steaming or boiling it, You can then incorporate the beans into your dog’s regular diet for added nutrients. As a treat, we think it’s best to just hand feed your pup a few beans.
They’ll be crunchy, fresh, and safe to eat this way. Avoid serving fried or baked edamame beans. They often include flavoring ingredients that be harmful to dogs.
Conclusion
You no longer have to wonder, “can dogs eat edamame”? It’s perfectly safe for fido to eat some edamame every now and then. If your pup loves it, you can even cook it without any seasonings (like soy sauce for instance) and incorporate it into their dog food on a more consistent basis.
Edamame is rich in a lot of vital nutrients, and it aids in digestion and bowel health. It’s important that you don’t overfeed your pup, though, because it could result in loose stool and diarrhea because of the high quantity of fiber.
Edamame beans are delicious, crunchy, and safe for dogs to eat. Next time you’re snacking, consider seeing if your pup likes them too; you just might be surprised!