Can dogs eat amaranth?

Yes, dogs can eat amaranth. A major source of nutrition for the Aztecs, like its close relatives quinoa, buckwheat, fonio and millet, amaranth is a highly nutritious pseudo-grain or pseudo-cereal. Rich in protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, it is an ideal protein source for any dog fed a plant-based diet.

Aside from being grain-free, it’s also gluten-free, and attracting increasing attention as a nutritionally rich superfood for both humans and dogs.

Canine nutritionist Gerald Pepin is the author of the book From Table to Bowl which seeks to take the mystery out of feeding dogs fresh food. Here the experienced dog nutritionist explains the benefits and safe serving tips for feeding a dog amaranth.

Can dogs eat amaranth?

Because of its bounty of nutrients, and the fact that it’s both grain and gluten-free, amaranth is increasingly being used in commercial dog food. Rich in amino acids in particular, it’s increasingly being added to plant-based dog foods as well.

The one caveat with amaranth where your dog is concerned is that it can’t eat the entire plant. The leaves and flowers are highly toxic to dogs. The seeds are great, but the rest of the plant is definitely off the menu as far as your dog is concerned!

What are the nutrients in amaranth?

Considering their size, amaranth seeds are a veritable goldmine of nutrients. They’re rich in carbohydrates, antioxidants, dietary fibre, protein and fat. They’re a rich source of B vitamins, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, selenium and zinc. And being both grain and gluten-free, amaranth is the perfect ingredient for dogs who suffer from allergies. It’s also the perfect source of protein for any dog eating a plant-based, meat-free diet, containing as as it does, a number of essential amino acids.

What are the health benefits of feeding dogs amaranth?

In addition to being a rich source of healthy antioxidants for man’s best friend, amaranth has been shown to benefit the cardiovascular system. It’s been shown to help reduce high blood pressure and keep cholesterol levels in check, as well as benefiting the immune system as a whole.

Key to keeping your dog healthy is a healthy diet. A fresh food diet made with wholesome, wholefood ingredients. That’s where amaranth for dogs really comes into its own. Rich in amino acids and antioxidants, it’s the perfect occasional ingredient in a home cooked diet. And for anyone wanting to feed their dog a plant-based diet, it’s a healthy source of plant-based protein that will help keep your dog in great condition.

As a canine nutritionist, I regularly add amaranth to my dogs’ home cooked food. Best of all, it’s something I rather enjoy myself. Puffed amaranth makes a tasty, nutritious and healthy breakfast cereal or porridge topping. If you haven’t yet tried it, I recommend you give it a go. Don’t forget to save some for your dog though!

Is amaranth a human food that dogs can eat too?

Scientists have proven that not only have dogs and human beings shared the same diet for at least 12,000 years, they have demonstrated that the digestive systems of both species simultaneously evolved to process and benefit from that shared diet. From those same foods. At the time of the First Agricultural Revolution, when man became less reliant on foraging and more dependent on farmed produce, the digestive tract of both species underwent exactly the same genetic adaptation to allow us and our dogs to process that more limited farmed diet. In other words, we know that without any shadow of a doubt, long before the beginning of recorded time, dogs and human beings were sharing exactly the same diet. Eating the same food.

So even if you prefer to call the food that we humans eat “human food” and the food that dogs eat “dog food”, the fact is that human beings and dogs began to form their enduring relationship at exactly the same time as the First Agricultural Revolution, and likely largely because of our shared ability to benefit from the same foodstuffs. Back then, the food that humans ate was not considered human food, any more than the food dogs ate (exactly the same food remember), was considered dog food. The food that dogs and humans shared, the food that helped cement the bond we continue to enjoy to this day, was simply known as “food.”

So while many today speak of amaranth as being human food, the fact is, when it was first cultivated thousands of years ago, amaranth would have been eaten by both human beings and their dogs. Along with all the other foodstuffs they would have shared, amaranth would simply have been considered “food”, food that both dogs and human beings could each eat, enjoy and benefit from.

So when you ask yourself, can dogs eat amaranth, can I feed my dog amaranth, is amaranth one of the safe human foods you can share with your dog, the answer is an unequivocal, yes. Dogs can eat amaranth because, just as is the case with we humans, it’s something they have always eaten!

Can I add amaranth to my dog’s homemade food?

While you could simply add amaranth to your dog’s food as a topping or dressing, there is no reason why it could not form a regular part of your dog’s diet, especially if you make homemade dog food or feed your dog a plant-based diet.

Along with other pseudo-cereals such as quinoa, fonio, buckwheat and millet, amaranth is highly nutritious and 100% gluten-free.

If you want to overcome your dog’s allergies or digestive problems, homemade dog food can generally cure most canine health problems. Just click on the link above to download my easy guide to homemade dog food. You and your dog will never look back!

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is amaranth safe for dogs?
A. Yes, in moderation — no more than 10% of a dog’s overall diet — amaranth is safe to feed dogs. But dogs can’t eat the entire plant. Amaranth leaves and flowers are highly toxic to dogs. Feed a dog amaranth seeds only.

Q. Is amaranth gluten-free?
A. Yes, amaranth is gluten-free. This makes it ideal for any dog with a gluten-intolerance.

Q. Would amaranth be suitable for a dog fed a plant-based diet?
A. Yes, amaranth would be an ideal protein source for a dog fed a plant-based diet.

Q. How do I cook amaranth for my dog?
A. To cook amaranth for a dog, simmer 1 cup of grain in 2 1/2 to 3 cups of water or bone broth for 20 minutes until it reaches a creamy, porridge-like consistency. (Use a 1:2 ratio of grain to liquid).

Q. How much amaranth can I feed my dog?
A. Amaranth should represent no more than 10% of your dog’s overall diet. Up to around 10% of a dog’s overall diet can be comprised of amaranth or any other pseudo-cereal.

Q. How do I feed my dog amaranth?
A. After cooking, let your dog’s amaranth cool completely, then mix well into its food or serve on its own as a light, porridge-type meal with a spoonful of natural yogurt.