Can Dogs Eat Tofu? Everything You Need to Know About Tofu

Before starting, we should know what exactly tofu is? Tofu is a meat replacement food made up of condensed soy milk pressed into solid white blocks similar to cheese. It is also known as bean curd. It is a low-calorie food with calcium, iron, and phosphorus.  

Tofu is good for humans as it reduces heart diseases, but what dogs having tofu? Can dogs eat tofu? Dogs can eat tofu but it is not healthy for them to consume it as a routine diet. Your dog may have to face some side effects regarding health after eating tofu. It can also cause acidity, bloating, and allergies. 

If you are wondering about giving your dog tofu, you should know about health benefits, risks, and everything about tofu. Let’s begin to read.

If you want to read more about dogs’ foods, give a quick read to dogs eating garlic bread, plantains, granola, olives, and Cheetos.

Can Dogs Eat Tofu? Health Benefits of Tofu

Talking about giving tofu to your dog? Dogs can have tofu in a moderate amount. You can give your dog plain tofu without any seasoning. It is good for dogs having stomach issues. 

There are few more benefits that your dog can enjoy by having tofu. 

1.1. Protein:

Tofu contains a rich amount of protein. It helps your dog to maintain healthy muscles and red blood cell growth.

100 gram serving of tofu contains 8 grams of proteins in it. It is also an alternate to meat. So, if your dog can’t eat meat due to any reason, you can feed him tofu.

1.2. Minerals:

Minerals play a vital role in the healthy growth of bones for your dog. Tofu contains a large number of minerals that help them in maintaining their good skin and healthy fur coating.

Moreover, tofu is also rich in iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and selenium. This helps your dog in building a healthy immune system and forming red blood cells. 

1.3. Low Calorie:

Dogs are very sensitive about diet. They should not be given high-calorie food or it will lead to pet obesity. To prevent pet obesity and other health problems in your dog, feed him food that contains zero or low calories.

Tofu is the best vegan food to give your dog as it contains zero fats and calories. However, avoid giving in large quantities.

1.4. Isoflavones:

Tofu is enriched with Isoflavones. It produces estrogen effects to your dog that helps dogs in losing weight. It also gives energy to your dog. Tofu is recommended for dogs suffering from low estrogen production.

1.5. Digestion Problems:

Dogs got a very sensitive stomach. They can easily get stomach issues or allergies. To overcome stomach problems, you can give tofu to your dog. It can be digested easily and can cure digestion problems too. It is also beneficial for dogs having liver problems.

Can Dogs Eat Tofu? Risks of Consuming Tofu

Every food has some benefits and risks related to health. The same is the case with tofu, besides benefits, it also contains some side effects. High consumption of tofu can lead to hormone imbalance or other health issues including cancer.

Below we have given the list of some mild or life-threatening side effects of feeding tofu to your dog.

2.1. Bloating and Diarrhea:

Tofu can cause bloating, and diarrhea in your dog. When giving tofu to your dog, provide him a small piece and wait for 24 hours. If your pet doesn’t show any allergic reactions or vomiting etc., you may feed him more.

If you observe any un-usual symptom, immediately stop feeding tofu to your dog. The situation if gets worse, take your dog to the vet or he might have to lose his life.

2.2. Allergies:

Tofu contains some toxic ingredients that can cause allergies in your dog. The major symptoms of allergy are skin licking, ear infection, and hair loss. If you observe any of these symptoms in your dog, stop giving him tofu.

2.3. Kidney Stones:

Tofu contains a high amount of silicate that can cause kidney stones in your dog. Silicate also leads to urine with blood. To keep your dog safe from kidney stones and other internal issues, try not to give him tofu.

Can Dogs Eat Tofu? Alternative Food to Tofu?

There are some other healthy foods that you can feed to your dog to avoid health-related issues. Below, we have given some delicious, and full of nutrition food as an alternative to tofu:

3.1. Wheat:

Wheat is full of fiber and can be a good alternative to tofu. It is a healthy and cheap diet easily available for dogs.

3.2. Cashews:

Cashews are rich in proteins and are highly recommended for dogs allergic to meat. It also contains a high amount of iron and minerals that are beneficial for your dog.

3.3. Blueberries:

Blueberries are the favorite of everyone, be it humans or dogs. They are easy to make and highly enriched with vitamins and antioxidants that reduce the risk of cancer in your dog.

3.4. Carrots:

Carrots are a healthy treat for your dog. You can feed raw or boiled carrots to your dog as they contain fiber and vitamins.

3.5. Pumpkins:

You can give pumpkin to your dog mixed in his diet. Pumpkins are a healthy source of maintaining stomach issues and can also help in constipation and diarrhea.

Can Dogs Eat Tofu? Conclusion:

Can dogs eat tofu? Yes, dogs can eat tofu, but it is not healthy for your dog and shouldn’t be a part of a routine diet. It does provide some health benefits but it also has some serious health risks. However, if you want to feed tofu to your dog, you can give him once a month. 

For the healthy lifestyle of your dog, you should consult your dog’s vet before introducing him to any new food. Wait for 24 hours after feeding, if your pooch didn’t show any allergic reaction, you may give more. But in case of allergy or vomiting, take your dog to the vet.