Can Dogs Eat Chia Seeds? Are They Safe, or Deadly?

If you saw tv in the early 2000s, you keep in mind the Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia Pet commercials. Growing your preferred character or icon was a simple and enjoyable accomplishment with these economical packages. Since then, chia seeds have actually made their method into the mainstream market in a various method — in puddings, beverages, and even salads. 

The advantages of chia seeds, like their high fiber and omega-3 material, have actually made them a fan favorite on social networks. Many shops and dining establishments serve these tasty little seeds. With that said, you might be questioning if these delicious treats have any health advantages for your furry friend, or if they are safe for dogs at all. Here’s what you require to understand.

What Are Chia Seeds?

Chia seeds are the seed of the Salvia hispanica plant, a blooming types belonging to Central America. They were utilized traditionally by the Aztec and Mayan individuals, as one of the primary foods in their diet plan. 

These Mesoamerican cultures likewise utilized chia seeds as a sacrifice in specific spiritual routines, and they were thought about spiritual. Many individuals thought that chia seeds held supernatural powers, consisting of the capability to provide the individual consuming them fantastic strength. In reality, the word ‘chia’ in the Mayan language indicates ‘strength’. It is said that fantastic warriors might sustain themselves on simply one tablespoon of chia seeds for the day. 

It was important to have a food source that might supply such advantages in such a little package. The seeds might be kept for extended periods of time, ground up into flour, utilized as medication, or pushed into oil. The capability to utilize the seeds in numerous methods just improved their worth to these civilizations.

Chia Seeds Today

In modern-day times, chia seeds aren’t rather supernatural, however they are acknowledged as an extremely important and delicious food. Gaining their appeal through social networks and the healthy consuming motion, the seeds are frequently called a ‘superfood’ by stars and nutritional experts. This is because of their high material of nutrients, healthy fibers, and vitamins. 

Just 2 tablespoons of chia seeds include 4.7 grams of protein and 5 grams of alpha-linolenic acid — a kind of omega-3. They are high in healthy fibers, and include 14% of the everyday worth of calcium, and 12% of the DV of iron. Rich in magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, along with B1 and B3, this percentage of seeds truly loads a punch. For a weak 2 tablespoons of seeds, this is a fantastic dietary profile.

Are they safe for your dog?

After finding out about the many advantages of chia seeds, you’re most likely questioning if they are simply as healthy for your dog to take in. The response is yes! Chia seeds are safe for your dog and can supply them with many health advantages. However, they shouldn’t be given up substantial amounts or change a healthy diet plan of dog food. They load a great deal of nutrients into simply 2 tablespoons, therefore need to not be exaggerated.

Lots of Fiber

Chia seeds include a high quantity of healthy fiber, which is fantastic for your dog’s digestion system. If your dog has stomach concerns including these seeds to their diet plan is a terrific method to keep them routine. It has actually likewise been revealed that chia seeds can help in weight-loss by making them feel fuller quicker. So if your dog is overweight and having difficulty slimming down, including these seeds to their diet plan might help. Some anecdotal proof has actually revealed that consuming chia seeds can likewise assist with impacted anal sacs. 

Shiny Coats and More

Because of their high material of omega-3 fats, chia seeds can help your dog’s coat and nails. Most dogs get a big quantity of omega-6 fats through their diet plan of routine dog food. While the majority of people don’t understand this, omega-6 acids require to be stabilized by omega-3s. This is where chia seeds enter into play. Eating omega-3 fats in the form of alpha-linolenic acid can make a huge distinction in your dog’s coat. They can likewise enhance vision and cognitive function, and ease some joint concerns. 

Larger breed dogs, especially golden retrievers, can be understood to establish an unpleasant condition called hip dysplasia. Eating chia seeds routinely might avoid this condition from establishing since of the omega-3s. Especially if offered from a young age, chia seeds can help set the correct structure for healthy bone and joint advancement. 

High Protein

Because of their high protein material, chia seeds can avoid a condition referred to as muscle wasting or atrophy that takes place in older dogs. This is a loss of muscle mass that’s generally due to an absence of workout and incorrect nutrition — especially an absence of protein in their diet plan. Adding chia seeds to their routine diet plan of dog food can avoid this condition or enhance it. 

Diabetic Dogs

Chia seeds can help control blood sugar level levels for your puppy and assistance insulin function. They do this by slowing the conversion of carbs into sugar. In turn, this triggers your dog’s digestion system to process the food your puppy consumes slower and avoids spikes in blood sugar level. While diabetes isn’t an avoidable illness by nature, if your dog is at threat of establishing this condition there is anecdotal proof that consuming chia seeds routinely might enhance or avoid it. 

Full of Antioxidants

Just like us, dogs require to take in anti-oxidants to handle totally free radicals. Free radicals are unsteady atoms that exist in our bodies and our pups and happen naturally as an item of regular metabolic process. However, totally free radicals can end up being out of balance and cause conditions such as allergic reactions, diseases, aging, and illness such as cancer. 

Antioxidants work by neutralizing the totally free radical cells and basically canceling them out. There requires to be a healthy balance of totally free radicals and anti-oxidants for the body to work properly — whether canine or mankind. Chia seeds can help supply your dog with some fantastic anti-oxidants in simply a couple of bites.

How To Feed Chia Seeds to Your Dog

Chia seeds are already extremely little, so they don’t require to be sliced or ground to be contributed to your animal’s food. Chia seeds can be consumed raw, dry, or wet, however it is suggested that you soak the seeds prior to providing to your dog. It’s finest to soak the seeds for a minimum of thirty minutes and after that spray them onto your dog’s food. Some owners likewise bake dog treats with chia seeds as a method of integrating them into a healthy snack.

Chia Seed Risks

Since the seeds are so little and dry, they can trigger a choking risk if they aren’t soaked initially. Also, because chia seeds soak up many times their weight in water, they could cause an intestinal blockage if eaten dry. Despite these risks, some owners still choose to give their dog dry seeds by sprinkling them over their food. Dry or soaked, it’s key to provide your dog with plenty of fresh water to drink along with the seeds. 

Chia seeds have a high fiber content, which is beneficial, but can cause some stomach upset like gassiness. There’s also the chance of your dog having an allergy to chia seeds, so look out for reactions after consumption. While uncommon, an allergy is possible and could cause symptoms like scratching, rashes, vomiting, or diarrhea. 

While there aren’t many risks to feeding your dog chia seeds, it’s key to ask their veterinarian before adding any supplement to their diet. When giving the seeds, start with a little amount to see how your dog reacts. 

Daily Dose

The rough estimate for chia seed consumption is ¼ teaspoon daily for every ten pounds your dog weighs. So for example, a 70-pound golden retriever should be given 1 ¾ teaspoons of seeds. This is just an estimate, so it’s best to speak to your veterinarian about the dose recommended for your dog. 

The Final Word

Yes, dogs can eat chia seeds. They are perfectly safe for your pet in small amounts along with a lot of water. Chia seeds can help with a few health conditions and are usually well-liked by pups. The seeds can make a great addition to your dog’s diet together with their daily dog food. If you want to make sure your pup is eating the best food they can get, check out our list of the best dogs here. 

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