If you love Japanese cuisine, then you’re likely familiar with green beans called edamame. They are a great snack, and like every other snack, we wonder can dogs eat edamame?
Yes. Dogs can eat edamame as it is safe for dogs. It is one beneficial vegetable that your pup must-have. You can toss these beans in salads or even bake them.
Cutting short, edamame is good for you and tastes amazing. But, being a dog owner, we tend to share our food with our canine companion. But is it okay to do so?
In this article, we will discover whether edamame beans and dogs go well together or not.
What Are Edamame Beans?
Edamame is young soya beans. It is a popular food and a snack, and people harvest it when they are hard and unripe. You can eat these beans without processing them.
These immature soya beans are a popular part of East Asian cuisine. Some people love to boil them and eat them with other condiments. Edamame beans were first cultivated in China 7000 years ago.
History says the use of the word “edamame” dates back to 700 years ago.
In 1270, a Japanese monk wrote a thank-you note for a parishioner for gifting him edamame. In Japan, the word “edamame” is typically referred to as the dish.
The actual meaning of edamame is “stem beans.” Because the beans are typically sold while attached to the stem.
Edamame beans are a trendy part of the regular diet in Japan, Korea, and China. Most people serve the beans in the pods. They don’t eat the pods but pop the beans in their mouth.
Either steamed or boiled, these green beans are rich in protein and fiber. Many mixed frozen vegetables contain edamame beans. And are a great addition to salads.
1) Can Dogs Eat Edamame?
If you think giving edamame beans is toxic like most human foods, then you can put your mind at ease. Edamame beans are relatively healthy for dogs & your dogs can have them.
Adding a handful of the beans to their regular diet doesn’t have any side effects. Although if your canine loves it, they will ask for more.
However, there is a bit of controversy here. Edamame beans are soy, and it is one of the food allergens in dogs. But, don’t you worry!
Soy is a common protein source for dogs and is the more digestible plant protein than animal protein. Moreover, unlike wild dogs, our pets are omnivores. Their stomach produces plenty of enzymes to digest plant materials.
Secondly, the case of food allergies, especially soy, is scarce. In one study, out of 278 food allergy cases on 13 were of soy. The beef was the biggest culprit and contributed to 1/3 of the total cases, followed by wheat and dairy.
2) Edamame And Its 5 Benefits For Dogs:
Edamame beans are one of the healthiest vegetables you can give to your canine buddy. It is rich in protein and fiber that aids in proper digestion and maintaining weight.
Apart from that, edamame beans contain the following essential compounds:
- Vitamin C – is an important antioxidant and helps to strengthen the immune system. It also helps to reduce inflammation and cognitive aging.
- Vitamin K – is a fat-soluble compound. It helps in blood clotting. It also helps in the inhibition of anemia.
- Calcium – it plays a vital role in healthy bones and dental structure. It builds a proper muscle structure, a healthy nervous system, and a strong heart.
- Magnesium – promotes good muscle health. It helps in contracting and relaxing muscles as well as their regeneration. It also plays a crucial part in your pup’s emotional and mental well-being.
- Omega -3 – promotes healthier fur, less shedding, and fewer ear infections. It reduces the risk of diabetes and arthritis in old age.
3) How To Serve Edamame To Dogs?
After deciding to make edamame a part of your dog’s diet, it is essential to know the best consumption way.
Humans can eat these beans in any form. Either steamed, boiled, fried, or baked, every state is perfect.
The best way to offer this vegetable to dogs is in raw form. It is fresh, crunchy, and without any additives. Adding any other ingredients will decrease its efficiency.
The same goes for the steamed beans. Do not add any other element like salt as it isn’t safe. If beans contain too much salt, it can lead to salt poisoning. However, you can add black pepper in small amounts because it is safe for dogs.
Dogs shouldn’t have foods like pretzels or Doritos either because of their high salt content.
A dog’s system can only ingest salt in few quantities. Otherwise, it can cause pancreatitis and affect their intestine. In this case, you need to visit a vet.
Baked beans also contain salt, oil, and preservatives. Not only is salt bad, but oil will make your pet obese. Over time, your pup will have clogged arteries and develop heart problems.
4) How Much Is Too Much?
Can dogs eat edamame? Yes, they can. However, you must keep a check on its amount.
You shouldn’t grab a handful of these beans and serve them all at once. Sprinkling three or four beans on their regular food is okay.
Remember, your dog will gladly eat every bit of what you serve them, but they will pay later. You can also give them edamame as a treat, it is an excellent addition to their menu.
5) Symptoms Of Overeating Edamame In Dogs:
A hundred grams of edamame beans contains 122 calories. This amount is pretty decent for dogs. But, they won’t eat only beans in a whole day. So, it would assist if you were cautious about the proportion.
Like every other food, overeating can cause a few problems. While three or four beans per day are acceptable, it depends on the size of your dog.
Yet, overconsumption can cause the following problems:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Stomach gas
In rare cases, if a dog has a soy allergy, edamame beans aren’t a good idea for them. The soy allergy signs may not occur right away but include:
- Excessive scratching or licking
- Chronic ear infection
- Hair loss
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you doubt any of the above symptoms, contact a vet immediately.
6) Can Dogs Eat Edamame Pods?
Like every other pod, edamame pods are a thin casting that contains a set of beans. It is a delicate translucent skin that sticks between the shell and the beans.
It is not recommended to feed edamame pods to your pooch. The covering is quite challenging and hard to digest. It takes a lot of time to boil these pods.
If your pooch eats the pod, it can cause digestive issues or obstruction in the throat.
Conclusion:
In this article, we uncovered a lot about edamame!
Starting with its origin and then answering the question “can dogs eat edamame”? Next, we discussed how you can serve them and what its benefits are.
Edamame is a healthy food option for your furry friend. It has lots of vital minerals and nutrients. Such vegetables are a better option than unhealthy treats that we eat to satisfy cravings.
If you haven’t given edamame to your canine friend ever, now is the excellent time to add it to their diet.
