Dogs can eat almost everything you put in front of them. These animals are prone to eating dangerous stuff. But what if you’re ready to sprinkle some sesame seeds on your dish and, your dog decides to lick them off? Can dogs eat sesame seeds? Is it safe for them?
Yes, dogs can eat sesame seeds, but only in small amounts. Only then it will benefit them.
You’ll find sesame seeds on every food dish these days. From a sprinkling on sticky ribs to bun toppings and even as healthy salad sprinkle. You’ll find these tiny seeds in almost every delicious dish.
It’s quite unlikely that your doggo will reach it if it’s in a spill-proof container. But, what if your Fido gets into it? What shall be your next steps?
Is it something to worry about? Should you run to the vet like you would if your pup eats garlic or chocolate? In this article, you’ll find if sesame seeds have any health hazards. And what nutrients does it provide? Give a read below!
What Are Sesame Seeds? All You Need To Know
Sesame seeds are the seeds obtained from flowering plant sesame. They come from a native plant in Africa, but common in India. There is plenty of variety of these seeds that people use in different dishes.
The sesame seeds are not more than 4mm in size. These seeds grow inside a pod and as the seeds are mature, they burst out of the pods. Not only the seeds are edible, but they are also pressed to obtain sesame oil.
The sesame seeds are nutty in flavor. In Asian countries, people use sesame seeds as a paste substitute for peanut butter.
Not only it tastes good but also has plenty of health benefits too. 1oz of the seeds contain 25% of your RDA of iron and magnesium.
1) Can Dogs Have Sesame Seeds?
Yes, dogs can eat sesame seeds and they are safe for them in regulated amounts. As these seeds are tiny, your dog can lick many in one sitting.
Sesame seeds are rich in vitamins and minerals. These are easily digested by humans. But, what about dogs?
Till now no case of toxicity from sesame seed in dogs has reported. This means, that they’re not poisonous to dogs. They don’t appear to be dangerous in other ways, either. They are also too small to cause a blockage.
You also don’t need to worry about what to feed them because you can check our complete guides on feeding them Cheetos, Sour cream, Cream cheese, Olives, Raw bacon, Tea, Sauerkraut, Caramel, & Basil but with proper cautions.
2) Can Dogs Digest Them Easily?
You will find many resources claiming that sesame seeds don’t provide the same nutrition to dogs. The dog’s digestive system tends to eat plants and meat.
Adding seeds to their diet can disrupt the mechanism. However, there’s not enough evidence that proves that sesame seeds are easy to digest either.
Whenever you decide to give sesame seeds to your pooch. Ensure that they are the hulled ones. The hard seed case of the unhulled sesame seeds makes it difficult for the nutrients to absorb.
The shell contains compounds like oxalates and phytates. It inhibits the absorption of nutrients. Break the outer covering of the seeds using a crusher. It is important to do this step as you don’t want to lessen the nutritional value.
Apart from crushing, soaking, fermenting, and roasting are good options too. These will reduce the oxalate content. Leaving behind sesame seeds that are healthier for your pooch.
3) Is Sesame Oil Safe For Dogs?
Any kind of seed oil isn’t good for dogs. The sesame seeds themselves have high-fat content. The oil of the sesame contains doubled amount of fat for dogs.
It is also high in calories that can lead your dog to have a calorie imbalance. An increase in the number of calories causes them to gain weight.
4) What About Black Sesame Seeds?
Sesame seeds have a lot of variety and one of them is the black sesame seeds. They aren’t much different except, they are black. It is the same as different varieties of beetroot, which can be red in color or have no color.
When it comes to benefits, they perform like all the other sesame seeds. You might’ve heard that black sesame seeds are the unhulled kinds, and white are the hulled. But this isn’t the case always.
Amber seeds and black sesame seeds are the unhulled forms. But you will find some white seeds that are unhulled, too.
If you get your hands on black unhulled seeds, make sure you crush them. The hard outer shell will make it difficult for them to digest if you don’t do so. Roasting or soaking them in any fluid will also increase their digestibility.
Potential Hazards Of Sesame Seeds To Dogs
There are no such disadvantages of giving sesame seeds to pooches. But, if your dog eats them more than it should, it can harm them for one reason:
1) High-Fat Content
Sesame seeds have high-fat content. This is why a moderate amount of these seeds is necessary. Fatty foods can disrupt a dog’s digestive system. If they already face trouble with a high-fat diet, things can get serious.
Along with that, conditions like pancreatitis can also occur. If your dog isn’t able to handle the seeds they start vomiting and lose their appetite and get diarrhea.
Due to vomiting, they get dehydrated quickly. Give them plenty of fluids to keep their condition safe. They will require pain killers, anti-emetics, and other fluids to recover.
These conditions happen rarely in a dog. And, it won’t happen after eating a few sesame seeds. If your dog is at risk of any fatty food, it might become a problem.
Can Dogs Eat Tahini?
The nutty flavor and texture of the sesame seeds after crushing make a perfect paste. People call this paste as Tahini. It is delicious, rich, and wholesome.
Yes, dogs can eat Tahini. And, the good news is, it’s better than the seeds! Most dogs are picky eaters, eating seeds might appear as a challenge for them. They don’t eat their food properly. Adding the paste to their diet will somewhat help them.
Again, ensure the portion size is small. As sesame seeds are high in fat just like peanut butter. And if your pet has an upset tummy, it could increase the chances of pancreatitis.
Nutritional Value of Black Sesame Seeds
Just like the white sesame seeds, the black sesame seeds have a nutritious profile. The following data is of 14 grams of the sesame seeds:
| Calories: 100 | Fat: 9 grams | Carbs: 4 grams |
| Protein: 3 grams | Fiber: 2 grams | Copper: 83% of the DV |
| Manganese: 22% of the DV | Calcium: 18% of the DV | Magnesium: 16% of the DV |
| Iron: 15% of the DV | Phosphorus: 11% of the DV | Zinc: 9% of the DV |
| Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 grams | Monounsaturated Fat: 3 grams | Saturated Fat: 1 gram |
If you notice the nutrients above, you’ll see that these are a rich source of macro-minerals and minerals. The dog’s body requires macro-minerals in larger quantities. While tracing minerals in meager amounts.
4 Health Benefits Of Sesame Seeds
Can dogs eat sesame seeds? Yes! But do they have any significant health benefits? It’s time to learn!
Above we discussed the potential harm the seeds might cause. But, since these seeds are safe in moderate amounts, they will also have some advantages.
If your dog eats the sesame seeds of the bun, will it provide any positive nutrients? Read to find out:
1) Anti-Inflammatory Properties:
We read above that sesame oil is not a good choice for dogs. But, here is the catch! According to some studies, sesame oil is a natural anti-inflammatory.
This is due to the presence of a compound called sesamin. Its presence in sesame oil has some anti-inflammatory properties.
But, it can come of use only at very high doses with concentrated sesamin. There are plenty of other foods that provide this benefit, like black pepper. Still, if you wish to give your dog some of the seed oil, consult a vet first.
2) High Fiber Content:
Sesame seeds are rich in fiber. Giving one tablespoon of sesame seeds to your pooch means they get quantity of fiber as half a small banana. But that doesn’t mean you should give this to your doggo daily.
This high-fiber content will keep your pet’s stomach at ease. Fiber is a good source of keeping constipation at bay and stay regular.
You can sprinkle crushed seeds into their regular food. This will to meet their daily fiber requirement. This is only if your pup is deficient in fiber.
3) Full Of Antioxidants:
Like sunflower seeds, sesame seeds are also packed with antioxidants. These compounds prevent the damage of cells that happens due to free radicals.
Sesame seeds have vitamin C and E that function as antioxidants in your dog’s body. A moderate amount of antioxidants also helps in cancer prevention.
4) Packed With Minerals:
Calcium is helpful to maintain a healthy skeletal structure. To assist it, copper helps to fight against joint pain.
Some dogs have trouble absorbing iron into their bodies. A small number of sesame seeds will help them in this regard, no matter their age.
What Amount Is OK For Dogs?
It’s essential to know how much is too much for dogs. Ensure that commercial diets for dogs are ample and balanced. It means, whatever your pup eats must contain every nutrient the dog needs.
According to vets, a dog’s diet must not have more than 10% of calories from external sources. Otherwise, it can upset the balance. A half teaspoon has approx. 50 calories. It may seem little, but it’s 10% of a 20lb dog’s calorie allowance!
If you wish to feed sesame seeds to your dog it’s better to start with small portions. Like any other food, a trial amount is necessary. Half-teaspoon for a medium-sized dog works perfectly. Wait 48 hours to notice the appearance of any adverse effects.
If their body positively reacts to the new food, try giving them a little more. But keep looking for any side effects, as all dogs react differently.
If you notice any signs that weren’t there before the addition of the seeds, stop immediately.
The majority of dogs can handle roasted or soaked seeds twice a week quite well. Ensure that you cut other calories on the days when you put in sesame seeds in dog food.
Can Dogs Eat Sesame Seeds – Conclusion:
We learned that sesame seeds are not toxic to dogs. Some people say it’s hard for them to digest, but it’s not entirely true.
Some compounds can make the nutrients hard to absorb. But, there are methods to get rid of this problem.
Giving them a small amount of tahini is unlikely to do any harm. All you need to do is keep a check on their calorie count, to keep their health intact.