Can Dogs Eat Edamame

Is Edamame good for your dogs? Has this question had you in a bind for some time? Well, you should not bother yourself anymore. In this post, we are going to answer this question in all its details.

Can dogs Eat edamame?

After all, Edamame is packed with nutrients and is considered healthy for humans. It is a vegetable so there is little risk of feeding your four-legged friend excessive fat or indulging him in unhealthy food. It’s also rich in dietary fibers. So, it is, rather, going to help him in the digestive process.  

All the good things said about Edamame are true. That’s why it is commonly eaten in many parts of the world, particularly in Japan and Korea. When humans are eating this delicacy, it’s natural for them to throw a pod or a few beans to their doggies. Is that going to harm your dogs?

No, Edamame Are not toxic for Dogs!

Can dogs eat edamame? To answer this, you must understand that Edamame beans or pods are non-toxic for dogs. A little amount of this vegetable is not going to harm them. Of course, you should be careful not to feed them fried, salted, or baked Edamame. These foods do not go well with dogs whether it’s Edamame or any other food. You can feed Edamame to the dogs raw, steamed, or cooked with their meal.

Why is there a doubt about Edamame being safe for dogs? It’s because Edamame is young soybeans. Young and immature soybeans are soft and delicious. But they contain soy and dogs are allergic to soy. If you feed your dog Edamame, the soy content in it may make your dog sick.

To be on the safer side, you should feed your dog Edamame in small quantities and be watchful about any sign of an allergy. If you see your dog showing any sign of allergy or discomfort, take him to a vet and take the vet’s opinion on feeding Edamame.  

What Are Edamame and What Do They Contain?

Edamame is young and immature soybean commonly used in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine, particularly soups. It’s almost a staple in these countries. Since the pods are still in infancy, they are soft and edible as a vegetable. This is the reason some owners feed their dogs Edamame with the pod. But some pods may have mature shells and may not be ideal for the dogs’ consumption.

As a vegetable, Edamame is an outstanding source of protein, calcium, fiber, vitamin C, and Omega-3. It’s gluten-free and low in calories. The rich nutrient profile of Edamame makes it a sought-after vegetable that can bring many health benefits. From stronger bones to proper blood pressure and cholesterol levels, the advantages of Edamame are many.

Since it belongs to the same family of beans as soybeans, Edamame is believed to have soy content. Dogs don’t interact well with soy and are often allergic to it. This is why despite so many health benefits, Edamame can be harmful, but not toxic, to your dogs.

Is Edamame Bad for Your Dog? 

As a pet owner, Edamame could be one of those things that you will have to be careful about. This may not be something that you can feed your dog without worrying about the consequences. At the same time, you can’t ignore the impressive nutrient profile and health benefits of Edamame. Your dogs would certainly miss many of the nutrients if you deny them this soft, delicious, and green vegetable.

For example, Edamame contains Polyunsaturated fats, vitamin C, and Omega-3 which can help your dogs to maintain a healthy skin and coat. Protein can give them strength and stamina while calcium can keep their bones and zest in order. The dietary fibers can keep the digestive process smooth. With these benefits, it’s hard to say Edamame is bad for your dog.

So, Can Dogs Eat Edamame? 

To find a middle path seems to be the right choice here. Give your dogs Edamame in moderation and keep a watch if any of them develops any allergy or sickness. Take the vet’s help if there is a problem.

The use of Edamame can promote balanced body weight which in turn can lower the risk of diabetes among dogs.

However, the benefits of feeding Edamame to your dogs should be weighed against the possible side effects and hazards. For example, eating soft Edamame pods as a vegetable is common among people. However, giving the Edamame pods to your dogs to eat is not without its hazards. Some of these pods could be hard to digest and may cause discomfort to your dogs. In the case of smaller dogs, the hard shells may even choke the animals.

How Much Edamame Can You Give Your Dog?

Not much, for sure. You should not give plenty of Edamame to your dogs thinking they are only vegetables. Eating a lot of beans can cause bloating and gas in the stomach. Your dogs will feel uncomfortable and may pass the gas. If you are in close range, you may not feel good about it. So, the quantity of Edamame that you give to your dogs should be moderate.

Giving small quantities of Edamame to your dogs is also good to watch their soy allergy. If you give large amounts of Edamame to your dogs, it will be difficult to manage any side effects that it may cause, including the allergy. Giving a handful of raw, steamed, or frozen Edamame once in a while is the right way to go.   

No Salted, Fried Edamame, Please!

Besides the quantity, the way you feed Edamame to your dogs is also important. You should give only steamed Edamame to the dogs. Even the frozen Edamame can be given. You can also mix Edamame with the regular dog food that you cook for them. Don’t give them salted, fried, or baked Edamame. Don’t use any seasoning in the steamed or dog food with Edamame. You can sprinkle raw or steamed Edamame on ready food.

Given the health benefits, feeding Edamame to your dogs can be a good decision. But the quantity and the way you feed them this vegetable are of critical importance. Moderate quantity and simple preparation of Edamame may ward off any side effects.

What Are the Possible Side Effects? 

Edamame beans and pods are non-toxic for dogs. But salted, fried, or baked with other ingredients can make Edamame difficult to digest for your dogs. Edamame contains soy which is an allergy for dogs. Besides, Edamame pods can be difficult to ingest or digest and may cause choking in dogs. These are some major areas of concern when feeding Edamame to dogs.

A variety of health complications may arise in dogs due to eating Edamame. Soy allergy is the foremost concern and the common symptoms of soy allergy among dogs are vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, and excessive scratching. Excessive eating of soy products tends to harm the liver, thyroid, and reproductive health of dogs. Eating pods and beans in large amounts can cause digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, and gas.  

Can dogs eat Edamame? Yes, they can but not regularly or in large amounts.

The Edamame that they eat should not be seasoned, salted, fried, baked, or mixed with other ingredients. If your dog eats Edamame in any of these forms, he or she may have digestion problems.

Salt Poisoning

Fried, baked or flavored Edamame usually contains high amounts of salt. Dogs’ digestive systems can’t process salt easily. Excessive salt consumption by dogs can lead to salt poisoning. Fried foods can cause inflammation of the pancreas that may lead to further complications.  

Final Thoughts

Despite a great nutrient profile, Edamame may not be a great choice for dogs. However, there can be no harm in feeding this delicious and nutritious vegetable once in a while in small quantities to your dogs. Raw or steamed is the best option.

You should take care not to feed Edamame in large quantities to your dogs. Similarly, you must avoid feeding flavored, fried, salted, and baked Edamame to the dogs. There can be serious health consequences if proper care is not taken in choosing the way you feed Edamame to your dogs.

Edamame is a popular and nutritious vegetable that’s used commonly in many countries around the globe. It’s natural for these households to feed some Edamame to their dog pets. However, soy allergy is common among dogs and Edamame belongs to the same family as soybeans.  

But to follow this example and start feeding Edamame to your dogs can be a risky proposition. If you are going to take the risk, it’s better to take it in smaller quantities. Feeding only a little Edamame to your dog at a time.