Can Dogs Eat Quinoa? (and Is It Safe?)

Is Quinoa Safe For Dogs?

Quinoa is coated with a naturally-occurring chemical called saponin that protects it from insects while it grows. This chemical has been known to cause tissue damage in both humans and dogs, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Additionally, when feeding your dog a balanced food, adding any additional ingredients, including quinoa, is not recommended as it will add extra calories and upset the balance of the nutrients in the meal. This can lead to health issues over time.

Some dogs run into digestive difficulties when consuming plant matter that hasn't been properly cooked. Feeding them quinoa might cause an upset stomach along with vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation. The oxalates contained in plants can also increase inflammation in dogs, which could exacerbate pain in dogs with arthritis. Another thing to keep in mind is that quinoa is often prepared with other ingredients, such as salt, onions, beans, meats and spices, which might be harmful to your dog's health. For this reason, it's never a good idea to feed your dog quinoa that has been prepared for humans — not even a small taste off of your plate.

Feeding Quinoa to Your Dog

Before feeding anything to your dog it is always best to consult your dog's veterinarian, but can dogs eat quinoa? Yes, when it's properly prepared in a digestible form, and in the right amounts as part of a complete and balanced meal, quinoa can be fed to dogs. In general, it's always best to bypass all of the associated risks by avoiding giving your dog table food.