All dog owners occasionally sneak treats for their pets. However, giving in to those pleading puppy eyes isn’t always the best course of action.
Your dog is not concerned with the nutritional value of her treats; as such, it is your responsibility as a pet owner to sort out the good from the bad.
What’s the deal with chickpeas, then? Is it okay for your dog to eat them? Keep reading to find out if chickpeas are a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.
Can dogs eat chickpeas?
In answer to your question, canines can consume chickpeas. You should limit your dog’s consumption of chickpeas, like many other foods, and keep in mind a few important details. However, chickpeas are generally safe for canines to consume.
What are chickpeas?
Hummus is the most typical form in which chickpeas are consumed, but they also appear in other dishes like salads, soups, and stews. Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, originally hail from the Mediterranean and the Middle East, but are now a staple food in many parts of the world.
The nutritional value of chickpeas is disproportionately large to their size. Chickpeas provide more than their share of dietary fiber and protein.
- Vitamin K
- Folate
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
- Copper
- Selenium
- Manganese
- Choline
- Iron
- B6 Vitamin
- Magnesium
Although it’s usually not a good idea to feed your dog table scraps, including a small amount of chickpeas in her diet may have some positive health effects.
Are chickpeas good for dogs?
Although chickpeas have received much acclaim for the health benefits they provide to humans, few people give much thought to the animals in their care. I was wondering if chickpeas were also good for canines.
Most definitely. Including some chickpeas in your dog’s diet may be beneficial, and they also make a great alternative to unhealthy treats like processed brown biscuits.
It has been discovered that chickpeas have many wonderful health benefits for the human body. They are high in dietary fiber, which has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and inflammation.
They are also known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, chickpeas have been linked to a reduced risk of certain types of cancer; it’s possible that this protective effect extends to dogs as well.
The fiber in chickpeas is great for your dog because it promotes regularity in bowel movements and stool firmness, both of which can aid in the healthy expression of the anal glands.
(Yucky to consider, but excellent for Fido.) Fibre not only feeds the good bacteria in your dog’s digestive tract, but it also aids in regulating the amount of sugar that is absorbed into their blood.
Chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein and dietary fiber.
If your dog needs to shed a few pounds or just always seems hungry, try giving him or her some chickpeas as a snack on top of his or her meal or in a Kong to help curb his appetite.
Muscle development and maintenance are two more benefits your dog can reap from plant-based protein. Dogs need the essential amino acids found in meat, so never substitute plant protein for animal protein in your dog’s diet.
Chickpeas are nutrient powerhouses because they contain a wide variety of essential nutrients in addition to their high protein and fiber content. These tiny legumes pack a nutritional punch thanks to the abundance of minerals found within.
Your dog’s heart beats, muscles contract, and nerves send signals all over their body because of the electrolytes calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.
Magnesium aids in the body’s absorption of calcium and phosphorus, two minerals essential for healthy bone structure. Dogs need iron to maintain healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body.
In the meantime, zinc is essential for your dog’s body to produce hormones and DNA, for hair growth, and for proper brain development and function.
What are the benefits of chickpeas for dogs?
Because of their high protein, fiber, vitamin, and mineral content, chickpeas have been linked to a wide range of health benefits. Chickpeas may be useful in treating the following canine ailments:
Chickpeas are great for your heart and blood pressure because they are high in potassium and low in sodium.
These two characteristics work together to promote cardiovascular health and reduce blood pressure. Chickpeas, which are high in fiber, also have a positive effect on blood cholesterol levels.
Chickpeas, unlike simple carbohydrates, release their energy steadily, making them a good choice for people with diabetes because they reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
While chickpeas cannot be considered a panacea for cancer, they do provide a number of substances that can help slow the development of the disease.
Selenium, for instance, aids the liver in eliminating carcinogens and inhibits tumor development. Cancer cells can be stopped in their tracks by taking folate and saponins.
Additionally, vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, can be found in chickpeas and helps prevent cell damage caused by free radicals.
Inflammatory conditions — Osteoarthritis pain in an older pet can be difficult to manage.
Choline, which is found in chickpeas, helps with nerve impulse transmission, cell membrane structure, and fat absorption, all of which are important for easing the discomfort of arthritis in a pet.
Feeding your pet chickpeas on occasion can help regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation because of the high fiber content. Stools that are formed correctly aid in the release of the anal glands.
Chickpeas and other high-fiber foods can help combat obesity by enhancing satiety. You won’t have to constantly respond to your dog’s begging for food every 15 minutes if you feed him a diet high in fiber.
Can chickpeas cause negative health effects in dogs?
Chickpeas can exacerbate gas in pets (sorry, bulldogs), and they can cause bloating and cramping. Start slowly and keep an eye out for any stomach upset.
Chickpeas that have been processed into a spread like hummus contain a lot of spices and seasonings that can be very tasty to humans but can be harmful to dogs. Just eat plain, cooked chickpeas without any added flavorings.
In addition, be cautious when giving your dog canned chickpeas. Most canned foods contain a lot of sodium, so it’s important to thoroughly rinse them before eating.
Dogs should never be given raw chickpeas because they pose a choking hazard if they try to chew them and most animals won’t eat them if they aren’t cooked first.
How to incorporate chickpeas into your dog’s diet
Are you prepared to make chickpea cookies for your pet? This recipe is provided by The Honest Kitchen and is worth a look.
Moreover, to increase the protein and fiber content of any pet-friendly recipe, you can substitute chickpea flour.
Dog treats made with turmeric and chickpeas
Ingredients:
- Roasted Chickpea Flour (1 Cup)
- 1/2 cup of cornmeal
- The equivalent of one tablespoon of chia seeds
- Spiced beef bone broth in an instant with 1 tablespoon of turmeric
- one-half cup of boiling water
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Turn the oven temperature up to 350 degrees F. Preparation of baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare a pot of boiling water. Bone broth and hot water in a small bowl. Dissolve most of the sugar by stirring.
- Combine the chickpea flour, cornmeal, and chia seeds in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly by stirring.
- Stirring constantly, gradually add the bone broth to the dry ingredients. Combine an egg into the batter. Dough should be on the moist side.
- Form a ball by rolling a tablespoon of dough in your hands. Put the flattened ball on a cookie sheet. Keep going until all the dough is gone.
- Put in the oven, and bake for 20–23 minutes.
- Get them out of the oven and onto the cooling racks. Place in an airtight container after they have cooled for an hour. Make sure to keep these items cold.
Can dogs eat canned chickpeas?
Technically speaking, canned chickpeas are “safe” for your dog to eat and are not toxic to dogs.
Their high salt content and the potential presence of additional preservatives in the can are drawbacks.
You should read the label to find out how the chickpeas were preserved and if there were any other surprises in the can.
Sodium poisoning, hypertension, and dehydration are just some of the negative effects of giving your dog too much salt.
The daily recommended amount of salt for a medium dog is only about 0.1g. If your dog has high blood pressure or kidney or liver issues, you should limit the amount of salt they consume and maybe even avoid canned chickpeas altogether.
It is recommended that you always wash canned chickpeas before feeding them to your dog, but doing so can help remove some of the extra salt.
Thankfully, some canned chickpea brands contain nothing but chickpeas and water, making them much more palatable for your pup and safer to eat as well.
To provide your dog with a healthy snack, look for chickpeas that have been canned in water and are low in salt, fat, sugar, and calories. Even so, before giving them to Fido, you should give these chickpeas a good rinsing.
Can dogs eat raw chickpeas?
It is not necessary to re-cook canned chickpeas before giving them to your dog because they have already been cooked.
They are easy to prepare and can be given to your dog as a snack or added to their meal after being drained and rinsed.
Although, you shouldn’t just give your dog a handful of dried chickpeas. Whether you’re a human or a dog, you’ll need to soak and cook dried chickpeas before they’re edible.
Can dogs eat hummus?
Actually, hummus is not something your dog should be eating. Store-bought hummus is made with a variety of other ingredients in addition to chickpeas.
Most recipes for hummus call for a blend of lemon juice, garlic, and onion, with additional ingredients like oil, spices, and salt.
Garlic, onions, and lemon juice are all toxic to canines. However, the hummus’ oil, spices, and seasonings can cause stomach upset in your dog and aren’t necessary for their health.
In addition, hummus has a lot more fat, salt, and sugar than chickpeas canned in water.
All dogs benefit from diets that are moderate in these three areas. In sum, save the hummus for the crudités and not the pooch.
Can dogs eat chickpea flour?
Dogs can safely eat foods made with chickpea flour if they are cooked thoroughly.
Flour their food properly! If your dog has a wheat allergy, you can use chickpea flour in its place when baking treats at home.
Conclusion
Chickpeas are safe for dogs to eat as long as they are plain and cooked.
Chickpeas that have been canned in water are safe to eat, but you should still check the label to make sure they haven’t been preserved in salt water or with any other additives.
As long as you prepare the dried chickpeas the same way you would if you were going to eat them yourself, they are safe for your dog to consume.
If you’d like to make some homemade dog treats, but are concerned about using wheat flour, chickpea flour is a great alternative.
However, you shouldn’t give your dog hummus because it contains many ingredients that aren’t good for dogs to consume.
Of course, chickpeas’ high fiber and protein content are beneficial to your dog, but why not just give them a meal that contains all those things?
Pure provides delicious, healthy food that is also nutritionally complete and balanced for your dog.
Pure is a natural diet consisting only of the finest ingredients; it’s high in fiber and protein.