Dogs Food
Can Dogs Eat Bean Sprouts?
Dogs and Bean Sprouts: Is it Allowed?
We all know that bean sprouts have great nutritional value for humans, but are they just as good for dogs? We always want the best for our furry friends and don’t want to make mistakes regarding their health. More so knowing that some human foods can be lethal for dogs.
Bean sprouts are a crunchy, nutty legume that can be eaten raw or cooked. It originated in Asia and is a staple food there. They are a source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre and other important nutrients that make them a superfood. But is it as nutritious and beneficial to dogs? Keep reading to find out.
Dogs and Bean Sprouts: Is it Allowed?
Yes, You can feed bean sprouts to a dog in moderation. However, since this food is rich in fibre, an existing high-fibre diet could be troublesome. There will not be any fatal health consequences, but your dog could be gassy and have mild diarrhoea.
In general, most dogs should be able to digest and even benefit from adding mung bean sprouts to their diet. It is always recommended to confirm with your vet on decisions involving their diet and health. Everything you find on the internet, including this article, is only meant to inform and does not act as a prescription for your canine companion.
Health Benefits of Bean Sprouts
The nutrient-rich legumes contain various vitamins and minerals that improve the immune system against liver and kidney diseases. They are also helpful with increasing cell growth and can help protect your pup against any allergies. Above all, they are a great source of plant protein and fibre to enrich your pup’s balanced diet.
It is better to know the exact nutrients in bean sprouts and how they affect your dog’s health to get a detailed insight into them. It will only help you decide better.
Vitamin B2: It is an essential vitamin that contributes to the healthy functioning of the digestive system and liver. It also helps in the increased absorption of other vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin B3: It reduces the risk of heart disease.
Vitamin B5: It is a fat-soluble vitamin that aids in reducing cholesterol.
Vitamin B6: It is a vitamin that regulates hormones in the body and nervous system.
Vitamin B9: This vitamin helps make more red cells, improves vision, and promotes healthy cell growth and functioning.
Vitamin B12: A key vitamin used in maintaining, repairing, and rebuilding the cells in every dog’s system. Beware, for the absorption of this vitamin, your pet must consume it with a balanced diet.
Vitamin C: A terrific resource to reduce inflammation and reduce ageing.
Vitamin E: This vitamin is also an antioxidant which prevents oxidative damage, allowing the functioning of your dog’s systems for longer. It also aids in fat metabolism.
Vitamin K: It is also a fat-soluble vitamin, reducing coronary disease risk. It also has blood-clotting properties.
Iron: Like the human body, iron is a mineral that helps carry oxygen to the rest of the body. This, in turn, helps other cells function and produces energy for your dog.
Manganese: This mineral improves bone density and maintains bone and joint cartilage so your pup can have an active lifestyle.
Calcium: It is mandatory for good bone health, hair, nails, and teeth.
Bioflavonoids: They help generate other nutrients, thus snowballing the health benefits.
You can see plenty of benefits from including bean sprouts in your pet’s regular food intake. Before doing so, consult your vet on the frequency and the number of bean sprouts to be fed.
Preparing Bean Sprouts for your Dogs
While adding any new food items to your pet’s diet, you have to introduce them slowly. It means you add a tiny amount of it and observe its effects on your pet. In the future, you can increase the quantities if all is well. If there are any adverse reactions, you must contact your local veterinarian.
Raw vs. Cooked
Your pup can have bean sprouts in both ways. However, it can get a bit tricky when cooking bean sprouts. Cooking can reduce the vitamin C content, and it also risks the introduction of other lethal ingredients. For example, onion and garlic can be dangerous to a dog, so you must ensure that your preparation does not include that. An excess of salt in their overall diet can also become an issue. Steaming without salt is the best option for cooking bean sprouts.
Snack vs. Topping
Moderation is key in bean sprouts, specifically due to their fibre quantity. Too much fibre cannot be good, but it is also a food your dog can benefit from consuming daily. The ideal option would be to cook in the way mentioned earlier, if you want to, and sprinkle some over an already balanced meal.
Conclusion
Yes, your dog can eat mung bean sprouts and enjoy wonderful health benefits from that inclusion. Be mindful of the choices to be made for your pet — from quantity to frequency to cooking method. Consult with your vet before making any drastic changes.
References
https://dtua.org/
https://greatist.com/eat/bean-sprouts-nutrition
