Can Dogs Eat Sunflower Seeds?

If a tiny package packed with a big bomb had a face, it would look something like sunflower seeds. With benefits ranging from inflammation reduction, heart blood pressure maintenance, blood sugar reduction and more, sunflower seeds have gained massive popularity in recent times. ⁽²⁾ There is a reason that their market has crossed 10.5 billion dollars in the US alone. ⁽¹⁾

But just like you, we were also wondering if dogs have contributed to this market. We don’t know the answer, but your dog surely can add a little to it because sunflower seeds are safe for dogs. There are certain nuances that you need to know though.

You can safely feed your dog raw or toasted sunflower seeds. They can even provide certain benefits to them. These seeds contain a good amount of fiber, protein and fatty acids. Apart from these nutrients, they also contain vitamins B1, B6, B3, and vitamin E, manganese, folate, selenium, magnesium, and phosphorus. All of these can be a great addition to your dog’s diet. They can also help maintain a healthy coat and skin. There’s an amino acid, tryptophan, present in these seeds which can help boost brain activity in dogs. ^{(3) (4)}

All of the above information may make you feel like replacing your dog’s diet with sunflower seeds alone but don’t. Our dogs may have transitioned from being carnivorous in their wolf period to omnivorous today, but they still need to derive most of the nutrients from meat and related diet. So, think of sunflower seeds as an occasional treat for your dog.  

Also, make sure that you feed only raw or toasted seeds without any salts or seasonings. The salted ones can cause salt toxicosis which can further lead to muscle tremors, weakness, and gastroenteritis. 

And take it slow. Introduce a couple of these seeds to your dog as a treat one day and then wait to see if there’s any reaction. If not, you can add some to their food bowls again after like a few days. Don’t make it a regular thing. 

Can Dogs Eat Sunflower Seeds with Shells?

Never. The shells are way too hard for your dog to chew and make them digestible. Ingesting shells can pose a choking threat. Even if your dog ingests a couple of them without choking, there is a chance of an intestinal blockage that can be a major problem. 

If you come to know that your dog has ingested sunflower seeds along with the shells, you need to look for the following signs – ⁽³⁾

It is advised that you take your dog straight to the vet if you see any of these signs. 

What Happens If My Dog Eats a Sunflower Seed?

Nothing unusual probably. As we said, sunflower seeds are safe for your dog to eat but only in moderate quantities and as an occasional treat. If your dog ends up eating a lot of them, there is a chance of a gastrointestinal upset. The high-fat content can cause problems like obesity, vomiting, lethargy, decreased appetite, and other digestive upsets. It can also cause pancreatitis which is a pretty serious problem. 

Can Dogs Eat Sunflower Oil?

Yes, they can. It can actually be beneficial for dogs if fed in the right way and quantity. It can help improve their heart health by reducing cholesterol levels. The omega-6 fatty acids in sunflower oil can help improve the immune system by reducing inflammation. The antioxidants and vitamins can help keep their skin and coat healthy. ⁽⁵⁾

The right way to feed sunflower oil to dogs is to give them one teaspoon of it, not more than once or twice a week. If you have a small dog, it would be better to keep the quantities and frequency lower. You may also need to add omega-3 to your pet’s diet in proper ratios as omega-6 on its own can have some adverse side effects like inflammation in dogs. Fish and flaxseed oil supplements can work here. ⁽⁵⁾

More About Spot Pet Insurance

There are going to be a lot of food-related questions that you’ll have to keep finding answers to. But there will be times when your canine ends up feasting on things they are not supposed to. You may also unknowingly feed them foods that can cause digestive upset and other problems for them. Some may be minor, but others might be severe and may even surgery. At such a time, worrying about your pet would be more important than worrying about all the medical bills. This is where pet health insurance helps. You can save up to 90% of all expenses and much more. 

Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more. 

Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!