Can Dogs Eat Seeds?

Many people think of seeds as being just for birds, but the fact is that seeds can be a healthy part of a dog’s diet as well. Seeds are an excellent source of essential fatty acids, which can help to keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy. They are also a good source of protein, making them ideal for dogs who are active or working. Seeds can help to promote healthy digestion and can even be used as a natural remedy for upset stomachs.¹ If you’re looking for a way to add some extra nutrition to your dog’s diet, seeds are worth considering. As a pet parent, you are always looking for ways to ensure your dog is getting the best possible nutrition.

Nutrients in seeds for dogs Super seeds can be a great way to add some extra nutrients to your dog’s diet. It is important to make sure that you only feed seeds to your dog in moderation. Some common seeds that are safe for dogs to eat include sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds.² You can either feed your dog the seeds whole or add them to their food. If you are feeding them whole, make sure to remove the shells first. Adding seeds to your dog’s diet can help boost their immune system and give them an extra source of vitamins and minerals.

Can dogs eat mustard seeds?

Absolutely not! Mustard seeds are highly toxic for dogs. Avoid homemade mustard, wild mustard, English mustard, Dijon mustard, honey mustard, yellow mustard, and mustard powder. Toxic compounds in mustard seeds can cause loss of appetite, drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.³

Dogs and sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and more. Can dogs eat sunflower seeds as a healthy snack? Yes, but only in moderation. Naturally occurring oils in sunflower seeds can irritate a dog’s pancreas. They may experience bubble guts or vomiting if they eat too many.⁴

Avoid giving dogs salted sunflower seeds. Too much salt can increase a dog’s risk of heart disease and sodium toxicosis. This condition is potentially fatal. Sodium toxicosis occurs when dogs consume too much salt. Symptoms of sodium toxicosis include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, lethargy, and muscle weakness.⁵ If you suspect your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t have, contact your veterinarian immediately. With prompt treatment, most dogs make a full recovery.

Tips to feed your dog sunflower seeds

Dogs and pumpkin seeds

Fall is pumpkin season. Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds to celebrate everyone’s favorite season? Dogs can eat this fall favorite roasted or toasted. Turn pumpkin seeds into a crunchy treat by putting them in the oven for 20 minutes. Pumpkin seeds are loaded with fiber and a healthy dose of protein. Per ounce, pumpkin seeds contain 125 calories. They also have five grams of fat and protein, 15 grams of carbohydrates and five grams of dietary fiber. Rich in phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, calcium, iron, and antioxidants, pumpkin seeds can also act as a natural de-wormer in dogs to get rid of tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.⁶

The Benefits:⁶

Grind up pumpkin seeds and sprinkle into your dog’s bowl. You can also bake or roast them if your dog has an upset stomach.

Dogs and sesame seeds

Rich in phosphorous, manganese, calcium, and selenium, sesame seeds can help dogs with constipation and cracked paws in oil form. You might worry if dogs can eat sesame seeds in excess. No worries! The calcium in sesame seeds helps bones while the copper supports joints.⁷

Dogs and chia seeds

Nutritionists for two- and four-legged family members rave all about the nutritional benefits of chia seeds. Can dogs eat chia seeds? As a superfood for humans and dogs, chia seeds are rich in fiber, protein and nutrients. The fiber helps regulate blood sugar and slows digestion. Plant protein in chia seeds can help in weight loss. These super seeds contain calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and phosphorus for advanced nutrition for your dog.⁸

Dogs and poppy seeds

A poppy seed muffin can make any morning better. But can dogs eat poppy seeds? The short answer is no, they can’t. Poppy seeds are toxic to dogs and can cause serious health problems. The problem with poppy seeds is that they contain a chemical called opiates. When these seeds are ingested by dogs, the opiates can cause sedation, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, poppy seed toxicity can lead to coma and death.⁹ Make sure to keep those pesky poppy seeds away from your furry friend!

Dogs and apple seeds

Many people enjoy a refreshing apple as a snack, but did you know that apples can be harmful to your dog? It’s true – apple seeds are toxic to dogs. The seeds contain a compound called amygdalin, which can break down into cyanide when digested. This can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, vomiting, and diarrhea. If left untreated, amygdalin poisoning can be fatal. Luckily, it takes quite a few seeds to cause serious harm, so there’s no need to worry if your dog takes a nibble of your apple.¹⁰ Just be sure to remove the seeds before giving them a treat.

What Your Dog Can Eat As Well

There’s no shame in wanting to give our dogs whatever food will make them happy. There just happens to be many other choices out there that are much healthier and more nutritious than pretzels. Here is a list of all the junk foods that your dog can eat.

Fruits

There are many fruits that dogs can eat which are packed with vitamins, dietary fibers, and antioxidants. The best are berries like strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries. Dogs can eat bananas, oranges, apples, melons, mangos, and pineapples. Make sure fruits with pits, stems, cores, and seeds have been ridden from these items. Several of them are choking hazards and peach pits can be toxic. Grapes of any kind are poisonous to dogs, and even raisins shouldn’t be given to them.

Seafood

When seafood is free from shells, tails, bones, and legs, they are safe for a dog to eat. Dogs can have lobster, shrimp, salmon, crab, tuna, flounder, and a variety of other fish that is lower in mercury. Fish with too much mercury fed too often to our dogs can cause mercury poisoning. Uncooked or undercooked seafood can contain harmful pathogens and bacterium like salmonella which can make a dog extremely ill. Always ensure that seafood is thoroughly cooked before feeding it to your dog.

Beans

Beans can be great sources of dietary fibers and proteins which are necessary for a dog’s health. Dogs can have a wide variety of beans, including lima beans, pinto beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, soybeans, butter beans, kidney beans, navy beans, and even green beans. Beans should always be cooked thoroughly and fed to dogs in moderation to avoid tummy aches. Beans shouldn’t replace meat in a dog’s diet, since the meat they eat is a richer source of proteins.

Vegetables

As stated earlier, garlic and onions contain toxins that are bad for dogs, and even seasonings containing traces of these vegetables could cause problems. Avocado is another poisonous food because it contains a toxic chemical called persin. Other veggies are considered great sources of fiber and vitamins for dogs. Dogs can eat carrots, pumpkins, spinach, celery, brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, and many other vegetables instead.

Nuts

Most nuts aren’t toxic to dogs, save for walnuts and macadamia nuts. Other nuts aren’t necessarily poisonous, but they can contain lots of salts, fats, and proteins that are difficult to digest. They also aren’t very practical because they can be choking hazards due to their shapes, sizes, and shells. Cashews, almonds, and pistachios are fine for dogs to eat moderately, especially when they are made into butter which is safer to eat in terms of obstruction.

Expert Insights from Spot

While sharing our favorite foods with our pets can be tempting, it's important to remember that not all human foods are safe for dogs. Spot's internal data shows that pet insurance claims for dietary indiscretions average $642*, highlighting the importance of caution and research before sharing snacks with your pet.

Conclusion

It’s no secret that dogs love a good treat. Seeds can make a great snack for your furry friend. However, not all seeds are created equal when it comes to your dog’s health. Although most seeds are perfectly safe for your pup to enjoy, there are a few that you’ll want to avoid. Poppy and apple seeds, for example, can be toxic to dogs if consumed in large quantities. If you’re looking to give your dog a seed-based treat, be sure to do your research first. Otherwise, you may end up doing more harm than good.