When looking for an alternate source of protein for our canine friends, we may choose edamame. Edamame is an unripened soybean still in its pod and is usually used in human foods. But what about our furry friends? Is it safe for them to have edamame? Let’s find out.
Yes, dogs can have edamame occasionally and in small quantities. Edamame is a good option if you run out of protein choices to give your furry friend. You can give your doggie edamame as a treat or even mix it with their dog food.
Most importantly, when you add edamame to dogs’ diets, ensure that you do not add salt, sauce, or other harmful ingredients. These ingredients can cause adverse effects on dogs’ health, as we’ll review in this article. Additionally, we’ll review how to prepare edamame safely for dogs, how much edamame they can eat, and the benefits of edamame. First, let’s review how edamame affects dogs and some problems that may arise if your furry friend overeats.
What Happens If Dogs Eat Edamame?
Edamame does not cause negative reactions in dogs when they eat it on occasion and in moderation. Do not add seasoning or spices that may be harmful to dogs. Do not feed edamame to dogs with soy allergies.
If your dog happens to eat too much edamame, it may experience digestive problems, including diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
Doggies with allergies to soy or specific plant-based proteins may experience allergic reactions.
Is Edamame OK For Dogs To Eat?
Yes, edamame is okay for dogs to eat since it isn’t harmful or toxic.
But edamame contains two substances to watch out for if your dog has allergies, namely soy and phytoestrogens, both of which make edamame harmful for some doggies.
Some dogs may be allergic to soy, so edamame is not okay for dogs allergic to soy protein or other vegetable protein. If your canine friend suffers from any food allergy, speak to your veterinarian before introducing edamame to their diet.
Edamame contains phytoestrogens, which are similar to estrogen in females. In male dogs, phytoestrogen reduces the amount of testosterone in their body. So, compared to female doggies, males should receive less edamame.
In particular, reduce the edamame portion for male stud dogs and those close to their breeding period.
Will Edamame Make A Dog Choke?
Yes, edamame shells or skins can choke your pup when they eat too much too fast.
Due to their fibrous layer, these shells housing the beans take a longer time to digest. When consumed too much and too fast, obstructions are expected to occur in the gastrointestinal passageway of the dog.
To prevent choking, completely de-shell the beans before giving them to your canine friend.
How Much Edamame Can Dogs Have?
In one day, dogs can have ½ cup of edamame. Doggies can have about 1 to 2 cups of edamame on a weekly basis.
Because a high amount of phytoestrogen is not suitable for male dogs, we suggest giving male dogs less than the recommended amount stated above. This suggestion is recommended for male stud dogs and dogs nearing their breeding time.
Male dogs should not have more than ¼ cup of edamame daily and 1½ cup weekly. On the other hand, female doggies can have the recommended amount without any harmful effects.
How Much Edamame Can Dogs Have For The First Time?
When first introducing edamame to your dog’s diet, start by giving them 2 to 4 de-shelled edamame beans. Then gradually increase to ¼ of a cup of edamame.
After a month, if your doggie shows no negative signs, proceed to give them the recommended ½ cup of edamame a day.
How Much Edamame Is Too Much For Dogs?
Edamame servings surpassing 3 cups per week are too much for dogs.
Too much edamame results in adverse health effects. Doggies may gain unneeded weight and experience gas or diarrhea.
Health Benefits Of Edamame For Dogs
There are several benefits of edamame for dogs. Specifically, the high percentage of omega-3 fatty acids and high protein makes edamame healthy for dogs.
Omega-3 fatty acids prevent inflammation in the body, and a high amount of protein is essential for tissue repair. Edamame contains about 9 grams of protein in ½ cup of shelled edamame. Edamame also has a high amount of fiber and vitamin C.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Edamame?
Dogs can certainly eat cooked edamame. You can prepare edamame in two ways; you can steam it or mash it with dog food like kibbles.
It is not advisable to give your canine friend raw edamame. Raw edamame can cause diarrhea and upset stomach. So it is best if you prepare edamame before letting your dear Fido eat it for easy digestion.
Also, note that you should separate the beans from the shells or pods before serving them to your pup.
Here are two recipes you can use to prepare edamame for your furry companion:
Steamed Edamame
Steamed edamame is a great treat for doggies, and they can have about 3 to 5 edamame beans. However, remember not to add any salts, onions, oils, or seasonings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of frozen or fresh edamame in pods.
- 6 cups of water.
Procedures
- Pour 2 cups of edamame into an empty pot.
- Pour 6 cups of water into the pot with the edamame.
- Place the pot on a stove and wait about 5 minutes and let it boil.
Wait until the edamame beans are very soft and can easily be removed from their pods.
Mashed Edamame
You can mix steamed edamame with your doggie’s food, such as kibbles or cooked rice.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of cooked edamame.
- 3¾ cups of kibble or cooked rice.
- A bean masher or any other appropriate utensil for crushing cooked beans.
Procedures
- Take ¼ cup of cooked edamame and pour it into a bowl.
- Using a bean masher, crush the cooked edamame until you have a good texture for your furry friend.
- Take the mashed edamame and add it into another bowl containing about 3¾ cups of kibble or cooked rice.
- Mix the two until the mashed edamame is evenly dispersed in the kibble.
- You can add water to the mixture if your furry companion prefers a wet kibble over a dry one.
Can Dogs Eat Edamame Pasta?
Yes, dogs can eat edamame pasta. Pasta, such as noodles or spaghetti made with edamame, is okay for dogs if it doesn’t include ingredients, such as salts, oils, chilies, or other seasonings.
However, you should feed your dog just the right amount of edamame to avoid digestive issues such as bloat, gas, and so forth. So, it may be a good treat for only special occasions.
Can Dogs Eat Edamame Pods?
No, dogs can’t eat edamame pods. We do not recommend that dogs eat edamame pods because they’re inedible. But the shells are not poisonous and do not cause any health hazards if consumed.
The pods are also known as “shells.” They are tough to chew or digest because they have lots of cellulose fiber. That’s why it’s best to give your furry friend only the beans, not the pods.
Apart from the inability to digest the pod, dogs may choke on pods. So remove the shells before giving edamame to your furry companion.
