Is quinoa safe for dogs to eat?

We all know that quinoa is good for us and our own diets. But just because it is good for us, that doesn’t mean it is safe for our dogs to eat.

While quinoa offers plenty of health benefits for us, the real question is where or not it is safe for our dogs to eat it. And that meant turning to the experts with the AKC to get an answer.

In general, the answer is yes that this particular grain is safe for our dogs, but there is an asterisk next to this answer. Why you may ask. Because apparently there are some concerns related to a chemical that the grain produces.

Can our dogs eat quinoa safely?

According to the AKC,

"There is some concern that a type of chemical naturally found in quinoa could be damaging to dogs. The quinoa plant produces saponin to protect itself from insects, and it’s been suggested that saponin can cause irritation in the intestines of both humans and canines. However, the amount of saponin found in quinoa is typically too small to create any health problems. It is possible that dog digestive systems are more sensitive to saponin than human digestive systems."

Obviously this is a concern that you may want to talk to your veterinarian about if you are adding quinoa to your dogs diet. And if your pup has never tried this grain before, it is highly recommended that they start with just a small amount.

Another thing to note is that you shouldn’t be giving the quinoa off your plate if it has added seasonings, salt, butter, garlic, onions, and other ingredients that are bad for your dog’s health. And honestly, when feeding this grain to our dogs we should never be making them pre-seasoned quinoa because we won’t know what has been added. Instead, it is best to make a fresh batch that is simply boiled in your kitchen (no pre-cooked for your pup).

Basically, this is a grain that is dog safe, but we highly recommend talking to your veterinarian first before adding it to their diet. And if you are worried about the saponin, it is recommended that you wash the grain before you cook it.

So you and your pup can eat healthy together with the help of quinoa. (Well, as long as your pup doesn’t get any seasonings added to theirs of course.)