Can dogs eat quinoa?

Yes, dogs can eat quinoa. If you are looking to feed your dog something different, if your best friend struggles to digest grains or you are looking to feed a plant-based diet, highly nutritious quinoa might be worth adding to your dog’s menu. Let’s take a look at quinoa and see what this wonderfully versatile plant has to offer your dog!

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 quinoa.

What is quinoa?

A member of the amaranth family, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a fabulously nutritious flowering plant grown for its edible seeds. Contrary to popular belief, quinoa is neither a grass nor a grain. It’s used like a grain despite the fact that, botanically speaking, it’s actually a gluten-free pseudo-cereal or pseudo-grain related to spinach. Originating in the Andes and rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals, quinoa is believed to have been used as food for some 6,000 years. It’s a complete protein source containing, in human terms, all nine essential amino acids.

Considered to be sacred by the Incas, it is now an acknowledge superfood much prized throughout the world. So what about quinoa for dogs you might ask?

What are the nutrients in quinoa?

An excellent, complex, slow-release carbohydrate, quinoa is rich in B vitamins. Particularly vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B9. Protein-rich quinoa also contains a wealth of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and particularly manganese. As well as being an excellent source of choline and vitamin E.

Still asking yourself, can dogs eat quinoa? Please read on!

What are the benefits of feeding my dog quinoa?

Quinoa is a good source of dietary fibre with anti-inflammatory properties. It’s easy to digest and is particularly beneficial for dogs with sensitive tummies as well as those a little under the weather. It is also ideal for diabetic dogs because of its unique nutritional makeup.

Let’s take a look at those in greater detail:

• Complete protein: quinoa contains all ten of a dog’s essential amino acids. This makes it a great protein source for any dog fed a vegetarian or vegan, plant-based diet.
• Rich in fibre: fibre aids canine digestion, promotes healthy gut bacteria and can help with weight management by making a dog feel fuller for longer.
• Vitamins and minerals: quinoa is a good source of magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, folate and various B vitamins.
  Antioxidants: Quinoa contains compounds such as quercetin and kaempferol. These may help protect against chronic diseases in dogs.

What are the health benefits of feeding my dog quinoa?

• Blood sugar control: quinoa’s high fibre content can help regulate blood sugar levels in dogs prone to canine diabetes.
• Heart health: quinoa’s fibre, antioxidants and healthy fats may contribute to improved heart health by lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of canine heart disease.
• Weight management: the fibre and protein in quinoa can help your dog feel full and satisfied for longer, potentially aiding in weight loss.
• Gluten-free: quinoa is naturally gluten-free, making it a safe and nutritious option for dogs with gluten sensitivities.
• May reduce the risk of certain cancers: some research suggests that quinoa’s fibre content may help lower the risk of certain cancers in dogs.

How do I feed my dog quinoa?

Quinoa is certainly worth adding to your dog’s diet. The wider variety of ingredients you can provide your dog, the better. And it is one of a number of highly nutritious pseudo-cereals you can be adding to your dog’s diet including fonio, millet, amaranth and buckwheat. They all offer the benefit of being gluten-free which makes them ideal plant-based protein sources for any dog suffering from a gluten intolerance.

You can use quinoa in place of rice for any dog with a grain intolerance. As with anything new to your dog’s diet, start off slowly and always feed in moderation. Quinoa should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s overall diet.

Is quinoa 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 quinoa as being human food, the fact is, when it was first cultivated thousands of years ago, quinoa would have been eaten by both human beings and their dogs. Along with all the other foodstuffs they would have shared, quinoa 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 quinoa, can I feed my dog quinoa, is quinoa one of the safe human foods you can share with your dog, the answer is an unequivocal, yes. Dogs can eat quinoa because, just as is the case with we humans, it’s something they have always eaten!

How to I maximise the nutrients from quinoa?

To maximise the nutritional synergy and bioavailability when feeding your dog quinoa, consider the following feeding tips:

• Quinoa is a significant source of plant-based iron, which your dog’s body has difficulty absorbing without a little help. Combining it with vitamin C-rich foods like bell peppers strawberries or broccoli can increase iron uptake by 200 to 300%.
• Quinoa is exceptionally high in magnesium, a mineral required to activate vitamin D in the body. When feeding your dog quinoa, combine it with sources of vitamin D like mushrooms or fatty fish such as salmon to support bone health and immune function.
• Quinoa contains fat-soluble antioxidants and vitamins such as vitamin E. Adding healthy fats like olive oil, avocado or nuts such as walnuts and Brazil nuts will help your dog’s digestive system effectively transport and absorb these compounds.
• Adding garlic to quinoa has been shown to increase the bioavailability of its iron and zinc. Despite what you may have heard, garlic is good for dogs, so add a little garlic next time you make quinoa for your dog.

Quinoa for dogs frequently asked questions

Q. Do I need to soak quinoa before feeding it to my dog?
A. Soaking quinoa for 12–14 hours before cooking can reduce phytic acid by up to 60–77%. Adding a splash of apple cider vinegar also creates an acidic environment that further activates phytase, the enzyme that breaks down these antinutrients.

Q. Can I feed my dog quinoa if it is gluten-intolerant?
A. Yes, you can feed your dog quinoa if it is gluten-intolerant. Like other pseudo-cereals such as amaranth, millet, fonio and buckwheat, quinoa is completely gluten-free.

Q. Is quinoa safe for dogs?
A. Yes, quinoa is perfectly safe for dogs, but it must be properly prepared. It is not considered toxic to dogs, but its natural coating of the chemical saponin can cause intestinal irritation if not removed. For this reason, always rinse your dog’s quinoa thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer to remove the saponin before cooking thoroughly.

Q. What are the health benefits of feeding dogs quinoa?
A. Quinoa is considered a superfood because it is packed with nutrients including amino acids for muscle growth and repair. It is also beneficial for blood sugar regulation, aiding in digestion and its richness in magnesium, phosphorus, folate, iron and zinc.

Q. How much quinoa can I feed my dog?
A. Quinoa 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 quinoa.

Q. Are there any risks or side effects of feeding my dog quinoa?
A. Yes, there are potential risks of feeding a dog quinoa. Quinoa contains oxalates which may not be suitable for dogs with kidney stones or severe arthritis.

Q. Can dogs eat red, white or black quinoa?
A. Yes, all types of quinoa are safe for dogs to eat.

Q. Can dogs eat quinoa every day?
A. It is safe to feed your dog quinoa on a daily basis providing it forms part of a balanced diet.

Q. Is quinoa better than rice for dogs?
A. Yes, quinoa is considered more nutritious than white rice because it is a complete protein, higher in fibre, gluten-free and less likely to cause allergic reactions.