Yes, dogs can eat bean sprouts as they are packed with nutrition, which helps them stay healthy. Consuming bean sprouts in moderation keeps their heart, liver, and kidney healthy. It also keeps the digestive system healthy and soothes the skin and coat condition to stay silky and smooth.
Table of Contents
What Are Bean Sprouts?
Mung beans were cultivated in East and Southeast Asia. These are used as food toppings and are known for their health benefits. The beans are soaked in water for the sprouts. Bean sprouts hence are rich in water content and can be eaten raw or cooked. It is crunchy as well, making excellent chew treats for your pet.
Are Bean Sprouts Safe for Dogs?
Bean sprouts are safe for dogs to eat. However, it will become unsafe for dogs to eat if it is:
Seasoned bean sprouts: Seasoned bean sprouts are harmful to dogs as they contain too many spices, which are toxic for dogs and cause serious health issues.
Why Are Bean Sprouts Good for Dogs?
Bean sprouts are healthy for dogs. They are packed with Vitamin A, B, C, E, and K. It also contains iron, magnesium, calcium, and bioflavonoids.
Let us check out the health benefits of bean sprouts to your dog.
Vitamin A: The dog’s immune system is maintained and improved because of the presence of Vitamin A. It creates mucus that surrounds the lungs to protect them, keeping the immune system safe. Vitamin A also helps in the proper functioning of the organs. It also aids the optical health and the dermatological health of the dog.
Vitamin B: B vitamins are beneficial to dogs in numerous ways:
Vitamin B9 (folate) keeps the red blood cells healthy. It also forms the red blood cells and helps in the proper functioning of the cells. Folate also develops DNA in dogs and helps in the optical health of the dog.
Vitamin B6 regulates the hormone and aids in the proper functioning of the nervous system. The presence of vitamin B6 helps in:
RBC function
Hormone regulation
Glucose generation
Niacin synthesis
Gene activation
Nervous system function
Immune system response
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin): Vitamin B12 is the key factor of the entire cell system in the dog’s body. Adding bean sprouts will let your dog stay healthy as the cells in his body will be aided by cyanocobalamin. The benefits which Vitamin B12 provides to a dog are:
Carbohydrate metabolism
Healthy nervous system
RBC formation
Protein synthesis
Fat metabolism
Cell growth
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is the antioxidant that is present in bean sprouts. It reduces the effects of allergies, skin inflammations, and helps the dog in various ways such as:
Fights the free radical to prevent any oxidative damage
Prevents cognitive aging
Acts as an immune support
Reduces inflammation
Slows down the aging process
Vitamin E: Vitamin E aids in defending the oxidative damage in the dog’s body. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient, which triggers fat metabolism and cell growth in dogs. It also supports the immune system of the dog. Additionally, vitamin E also helps in maintaining the:
Heart
Muscle
Immune system
Skin
Coat
Reproductive system
Liver
Immune system
Nerve cell membrane
Vitamin K: Vitamin K decreases the risk of coronary heart disease. It is also a fat-soluble vitamin, which helps the blood to activate the clot in dogs.
Iron helps lead the oxygen in the hemoglobin of RBC throughout the dog’s body, which produces the energy. Iron also helps in producing enzymes in the dog’s body.
Calcium: Calcium aids in strong bones and teeth in dogs. Calcium helps in keeping the nails, teeth, bones, cartilages, and hair healthy and strong. The consumption of calcium also helps in the proper functioning of the nervous system.
Manganese: Manganese also aids in strong bones in dogs. It helps to maintain healthy bone density along with keeping the joint strong. Manganese also helps in producing fatty acids, which helps in carbohydrate metabolism.
Bioflavonoids help in keeping the dog mentally stimulated and away from anxiety.
Why Are Bean Sprouts Bad for Dogs?
Though bean sprouts are healthy for dogs, they still have downsides. So, let us once check out the downsides of feeding bean sprouts to the dog.
Seasoned Bean Sprouts: If the bean sprouts are cooked with seasonings like salt, onion powder, garlic powder, oil, they can be toxic to dogs. Too much salt can cause salt poisoning.
The signs of salt poisoning are:
Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Convulsion
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Headache
Muscle Spasms
Tremors
Seizures
Loss of appetite
Abnormal fluid buildup
Tachycardia
Wobbly walking
Fever
Abdominal pain
Respiratory distress
Weakness
Coma
Death
The consequences of garlic powder and onion powder are:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Loss of Appetite
Respiratory distress
Seizures
Tremors
Dehydration
Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Coma
Death
Overfeeding bean sprouts: Consuming too much bean sprouts is bad for dogs as it is filled with fiber which will loosen the bowel and lead to digestive issues. The dog will face gastrointestinal problems and abdominal pain.
How Much Bean Sprouts to Feed Your Dog?
If you are feeding your dog bean sprouts for the first time, start with a minimal amount. Also, moderation is the key. Your dog should not overeat bean sprouts. You can add a bit of sprout along with his kibble.
What If My Dog Ate Bean Sprouts?
If your dog overate bean sprouts, then your dog will face diarrhea and vomiting. These will be their primary symptoms. Once your dog shows these symptoms, consult your veterinarian to rule out the issues.
Before visiting the veterinarian, provide your dog with enough water. This will help your dog to ease his stomach and prevent the dehydrating procedure.
How to Feed Bean Sprouts to My Dog?
The bean sprouts should be fresh. First, wash the bean sprouts, then either steam it or serve it raw in moderation.
Alternatives to Bean Sprouts
Other vegetables that are equally healthy to dogs besides bean sprouts are:
Dogs cannot eat fried bean sprouts because they are fried in oils and contain toxic spices.
Can dogs eat raw bean sprouts?
Yes, dogs can eat raw bean sprouts in moderation.
Can dogs eat bean sprouts with onion and garlic powder?
No, dogs cannot consume bean sprouts with onion and garlic powder as they are toxic and can lead to health issues ranging from diarrhea to death.
Can dogs eat root vegetables?
Yes, dogs can eat root vegetables like beetroot, parsnips, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Moderation is the key to maintaining good health while feeding these root vegetables to your dog.
Conclusion
Concluding whether dogs can eat bean sprouts, we can comprehend that dogs are healthy to eat. It provides too many health benefits. It keeps the heart, liver, kidney, eye, immune system, skin, and coat healthy. However, overfeeding bean sprouts can form gas and lead to diarrhea. Moderation is the key to keeping your dog happy and healthy!
