While hummus is often seen as a healthy food option, this isn’t true for your dog. Dogs cannot safely eat hummus, especially store-bought varieties. These processed chickpeas are often full of dangerous spices and seasonings. But, you can make dog-friendly hummus by cooking chickpeas without any added seasonings.
Can Dogs eat Hummus as a Snack?
Do you love hummus and want to share it with your dog? Did your dog get into your hummus and you’re worried about if it will make him sick?
If your dog has been begging for hummus, you should think twice before sharing.
Hummus is a popular Middle Eastern food, often used as a spread or dip. Made from limited ingredients, hummus is often considered a superfood.
But some of these ingredients can make your dog very sick.
Before giving your dog a taste of your favorite hummus wrap, there are a few things that you should consider.
Why Can’t Dogs Have Hummus?
The biggest concern when it comes to dogs and hummus is the spices and flavors used.
Chickpeas are a very bland food when prepared on their own. But, hummus has some delicious flavors that many people enjoy.
The secret?
The traditional recipe includes garlic, olive oil, tahini, lemon, and a blend of spices. This is where things get dicey for your dog.
Health Risks of Eating Hummus for Dogs
Garlic (Can dogs eat garlic hummus?)
This ingredient is a grey area for dogs. In small quantities, it can offer great health benefits. But, too much garlic is toxic.
Some dogs are more sensitive to garlic toxicity.
This could mean that even the smallest amount of garlic could be dangerous.
A member of the Allium family, garlic can cause damage to your dog’s red blood cells. If left unaddressed, it can lead to hemolytic anemia.
With fewer healthy blood cells, your dog’s body struggles to carry oxygen where needed.
This can have a negative impact on all systems and organs in your dog’s body. It can cause serious health complications and, in more serious cases, can be fatal.
Lemon Juice
It’s not an ingredient that would stand out to many dog owners. But, the citric acid in lemon juice can make your dog ill.
Your dog’s stomach is more sensitive to acids than a human’s.
Too much acidic food can lead to stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Spices
Many common spices are unsafe for dogs to enjoy.
This can range from causing an upset stomach to more serious health concerns. Some can even cause fatal complications.
To create different varieties of hummus, each type includes a unique blend of spices.
With each blend, there is the risk of any number of health complications. You can check your ingredients to predict the reaction but it is safer to stay free from spices.
Salt
Too much salt can be very dangerous for your dog. Unfortunately, hummus often has a higher level of salt content.
Eating an excess amount of salt can trigger sodium ion poisoning, also known as salt toxicity.
Signs of salt toxicity include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of Appetite
- Excessive Thirst and Urination
- Muscle Tremors
- Loss of Coordination
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Coma
If you notice any of the above signs or suspect that your dog may have ingested salt, contact your vet.
When possible, let them know how much salt your dog has eaten. This will help them to gauge the level of risk and make recommendations for the next steps.
What Happens if a Dog Eats Hummus?
Whether a dog experiences problems from eating hummus or not will depend on a few factors.
The amount of hummus that has been eaten will have a direct impact.
A small lick of hummus likely isn’t going to cause any problems beyond an upset stomach.
Most dogs will experience digestive upset in the form of nausea or diarrhea. This is often present even with small exposures.
But, eating a large amount increases the risk of serious side effects. This is due to the large quantity of salts, garlic, and other dangerous ingredients.
Signs of toxicity or health complications may not present immediately. They may surface up to a week or so after the hummus is consumed.
Dogs will need to be monitored for an extended time. If any signs of trouble do surface, they will need veterinary care.
In the most serious cases, where large amounts of hummus have been eaten, veterinary care is a must. These dogs may need intensive hospitalization to survive the effects of the toxins.
Can Dogs Eat Store-Bought Hummus?
Store-bought hummus is made to appeal to as many people as possible, increasing sales. This means that they put a focus on flavor.
Unfortunately for your dog, the ingredients used to create this flavor are the problem.
Hummus found in your local grocery store or market often contains garlic and spices. These may be itemized in the ingredients, but they may not be.
Due to the risk of unknown ingredients, it is safer to avoid store-bought hummus.
Can Dogs Eat Plain Hummus?
Even plain hummus made with the traditional recipe can make your dog ill. This is because it still contains some of the problem ingredients.
In its most basic form, hummus usually includes salt, garlic, and lemon juice.
This means that even plain hummus can be dangerous for your dog.
True plain hummus is safe for your dog. But it must be free of all harmful ingredients. Unless it is made at home and you control the ingredients fully, avoid feeding plain hummus.
How Do I Make Hummus for My Dog at Home?
If you want to feed your dog hummus, one option is to make a dog-friendly version.
To do this, all you need is chickpeas, olive oil, and sesame seeds.
Cook the chickpeas to soften them up without the addition of any salt or spices.
Blend them with a few drops of olive oil, and a few sesame seeds to add some texture. For extra flavor, you can also blend in boiled vegetables like squash or broccoli.
Dog-friendly hummus can be fed to your dog in tortillas like a traditional wrap in moderation. But, too much tortilla can make your dog feel ill.
It can also be used as a food topper, adding a fun twist to your dog’s usual meals.
This is a great choice for dogs that may not be eating their dog food. Adding the hummus provides some extra motivation and temptation to the dish.
What if My Dog Accidentally eats Hummus?
If your dog accidentally eats hummus, remove access as soon as possible.
Take a moment to take stock of the situation. How much hummus did your dog eat? This will impact the risk.
A quick lick of hummus isn’t likely going to be too problematic.
Your dog may experience an upset stomach, but he will recover from this before long. Although, you should still watch him closely.
Provide him with plenty of water. This will help to replace any hydration lost from vomiting or diarrhea. Stomach problems often result in struggles with dehydration.
But, if you notice your dog ate a larger amount, call your veterinarian.
You can also call the Pet Poison Helpline (1-855-764-7661). This will connect you with a veterinary professional to help assess the situation.
After discussing what happened and the risks, they will offer recommended next steps.
Can dogs eat hummus chips?
When it comes to hummus chips you need to watch the ingredients carefully. Avoid any hummus chips that contain onion or garlic.
Safe Alternatives to Hummus for Dogs
Boiled Vegetable Spread
Another paste-like healthy treat for your dog without feeding hummus is boiled vegetables.
Choose a dog-friendly vegetable, boil it, then mash it or put it through a blender. The paste that results will have a similar texture to hummus that can be spread in the same way.
Safe vegetable options to consider include:
- Broccoli
- Squash
- Carrot sticks
- Beets
- Sweet Potatoes
Experiment with combining vegetables to make new veggie spreads for your dog to try.
Mashed Banana
While this alternative will offer a sweeter taste than hummus, it is one that many dogs love.
Take a ripe banana and mash it to create a paste. You can add other blended or mashed fruits for a different taste and experience.
This should be fed in moderation.
Fruits are high in natural sugars which can cause problems if consumed in large amounts.
Peanut Butter
Of course, if you’re just looking for a spread to put on tortillas, peanut butter is a favorite among dogs.
When selecting peanut butter, you want to choose a natural option. This means that there is nothing in it but peanuts.
Read the label carefully to make sure that it doesn’t contain xylitol. This sugar substitute is highly toxic to dogs and can be fatal!
Are Chickpeas Bad for Dogs?
When cooked properly, chickpeas are not only safe for your dogs, but they are also a healthy snack. Chickpeas are packed with vitamins and nutrients.
But, you should only feed chickpeas to your dog when they are cooked with no added spices or sauces.
Nutritional Benefits of Chickpeas for Your Dog
Diabetes
The complex carbohydrates in chickpeas slowly release energy into your dog’s body. This will help to create a balance and regularity.
Steady glucose levels will help to prevent the development of diabetes.
It will also work to reduce the side effects that your dog may experience from blood sugar highs and lows.
Reduce Inflammation
If you have an older dog or a dog that is suffering from joint pain, chickpeas can help.
They contain choline, a nutrient that works to:
- Strengthen and maintain the cell membrane structure
- Support nerve impulse transmission
- Aid in the healthy absorption of fats
- Reduce chronic inflammation
All these benefits will help to ease the discomfort of pets living with arthritis.
Regulate Bowel Movements
The high fiber content of chickpeas will help to regulate your dog’s digestive system.
This helps to prevent constipation and naturally expresses the anal glands. In doing so, it prevents unwelcome anal gland issues.
Lower Blood Pressure
If you have a dog that suffers from high blood pressure, chickpeas can help address it. They contain high levels of potassium, which helps to dilate blood vessels.
By lowering your dog’s blood pressure they improve your dog’s heart health.
Aid in Weight Loss
With a high fiber content, chickpeas are a great choice if you have an obese dog. Not only do they improve digestion, but they also leave your dog feeling full longer.
Reduce the Risk of Cancer
While chickpeas aren’t going to prevent cancer completely, or cure it, they can help to reduce the risk. They contain a variety of nutrients that are credited with fighting the disease.
Folates and Saponins both prevent the harmful cancerous cells from forming. If your dog does develop cancer of some type, they help to prevent the cells from multiplying.
Selenium works to detoxify your dog’s liver. This will help to remove toxins that could cause cancer to begin with.
Finally, chickpeas are a source of powerful antioxidants. These work to protect your dog’s cells from free radicals. This reduces the risk of harmful cell damage. Canned chickpeas are generally safe to feed your pooch.
Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Hummus?
Going back to the original question, can dogs eat hummus? In most situations, the answer is no. Hummus is not safe for canines and shouldn’t be a part of your dog’s diet.
There are too many ingredients in traditional hummus that can make your dog ill. This risk is only compounded in different flavored varieties.
But, you can make a dog-safe hummus alternative for your canine companion to enjoy.
