For dog owners who love to cook chickpea recipes at home, it’s totally understandable to ask, “Can dogs eat chickpeas?”
Hummus, a well-loved Mediterranean dip is made using these legumes as the base. So, if you love dipping your pita bread in your homemade hummus while your pup is staring at you, then, you need to know if this dip is safe for dogs or not.
And the straightforward answers to the questions above are, yes and no. Yes, dogs can eat chick peas, but not in their hummus form.
And, no, you cannot give hummus to your canine companion since this dip can be processed with other ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as lemon juice and garlic.
Do you want to find out more about dogs and chickpeas? Then, we suggest that you stick until the end of this article.
Together, let’s explore the reasons why chick peas can be a healthy addition to your pup’s diet, and why they can also cause health issues to dogs in some cases.
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are commonly used as the base of hummus, but it is also a favorite addition to soups, stews, and salads. These legumes don’t just add flavor to any dish, but they also offer a multitude of nutritional benefits. No wonder, people who are gaga over their health always have chickpeas in their kitchen.
These legumes were originally from the Middle East and the Mediterranean, but today, chickpeas, are without a doubt, a staple ingredient in several cuisines and even dog food recipes worldwide. And they might be small, but chick peas are loaded with essential nutrients.
Chickpeas are a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial both for humans and dogs. A portion of garbanzo beans a day can provide your dog the following nutrients:
Copper
Choline
Iron
Folate
Magnesium
Manganese
Phosphorus
Potassium
Selenium
Vitamin A
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C
Vitamin K
Zinc
It may not be advisable to share human foods with our canine companions, but chickpeas definitely make the exceptions as these legumes can offer a lot of benefits to our dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Chickpeas? Is It Safe To Give?
When prepared properly and consumed in moderation, chickpeas are absolutely safe for canines. So, if you see your dog eating chickpeas, you don’t have to worry. Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean that you just have to leave a bowl full of cooked chickpeas unattended.
While these legumes are safe, your dog can still experience uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms when they consume huge amounts of chickpeas.
In fact, it’s recommended that you give these veggies to your dog slowly and in small portions when it’s their first time. Doing so can help prevent gassiness, which can lead to abdominal pain and bloating.
This is also the same with other human foods and even dog foods. Some canines may experience untoward reactions when eating something that is not part of their regular diet.
Hence, it’s best to give the new addition to their menu gradually and in moderation.
As mentioned earlier, chickpeas are packed with nutrients that in turn contribute to providing several health benefits both to humans and dogs. Below are some of the canine health issues that chickpeas may help with:
Obesity: The high fiber content of chickpeas helps increase your dog’s level of satiety or sense of being full. Hence, your dog will easily get full even when they only consumed a small amount of foods that contain chickpeas.
As a result, your pup won’t be begging you for food anymore, almost every time he sees you eating something. This is especially helpful in weight management or when you are trying to help your dog reach or stay at his ideal weight.
High blood pressure and overall heart health: With the low sodium and high potassium content of chickpeas, these legumes are effective in helping the blood vessels dilate.
The low and high concentration of these minerals, respectively, helps in lowering the blood pressure and in promoting your pup’s overall heart health.
It’s also worth noting that the effect of chickpeas in fighting obesity also helps in promoting a healthy heart.
Issues in the digestive system, such as irregular bowel movements: The high-fiber content in chickpeas can help regulate your dog’s bowel movements, but it can also disrupt the normal functioning of his digestive system when you feed him plenty of chickpeas regularly. As such, it would be best to only add these vegetables to his food occasionally, or as treats.
Inflammatory conditions: One of the inflammatory conditions that can affect senior dogs is osteoarthritis. This condition can be very painful for them, which is why caring for dogs who suffer from this illness can also be extra challenging.
And adding chickpeas to their diet can help with their pain since these legumes contain choline. This essential nutrient helps reduce chronic inflammation, maintain cell membrane structure, assist in nerve impulse transmission, and aid in fat absorption. All of these mechanisms of action help in promoting comfort to a senior dog suffering from osteoarthritis.
Cancer: Chickpeas can’t cure cancer, but they contain several substances that aid in cancer prevention and growth. Some of these important nutrients are folate, selenium, and antioxidants like vitamin C.
Diabetes: Chickpeas are complex carbohydrates and release energy slowly, which, in turn, help in regulating your pup’s blood sugar level. These types of carbs play an important role in preventing the rapid increase and decrease in blood glucose levels that are commonly associated with simple sugars.
Eye health and immune booster: Chickpeas is rich in vitamin A, a nutrient that is known to support eye health. They are also loaded with vitamins B and C, which are known to strengthen the immune system.
With all the nutrients that they contain, chickpeas can help a great deal in promoting your dog’s overall health. So, don’t hesitate to add cooked and unseasoned chickpeas to your pup’s diet.
Safety Tips in Feeding Chickpeas to Your Dog
While chickpeas are a great source of protein, dogs are still better off with a diet rich in animal protein. And if you are planning to offer these nutrient-packed vegetables to your pup, make sure to cook them plainly. Don’t add seasonings or other toxic ingredients to dogs, such as garlic and onion.
Also, stay away from canned chickpeas since they are also rich in seasonings and they may also contain other harmful ingredients.
If you want to make your puppy a homemade treat made with chickpeas, try preparing a dog-friendly hummus, which is typically a swift smashed serving of plain chickpeas added with a few carrot sticks.
How much chickpeas can a dog eat per day?
Consider feeding chickpeas or chickpea-based treats once a week to avoid potential gassiness and to ensure that they don't consume too much fiber. Start with a tablespoon of the legume for smaller dogs, or two tablespoons for large breeds.
How do you cook chickpeas for dogs?
Cover chickpeas with water and discard any chickpeas that float. Rinse chickpeas well and place in a large pot. Cover by 2 to 3 inches with cold water. Place over high heat and bring to a boil; lower heat and simmer, covered, until softened, about 1 1/2 hours.
Should you rinse canned chickpeas?
If you are using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them with water to cut the sodium (salt) content by almost a half. Rinse well in cold water to make them easier to digest and less gas-producing.
What happens if your dog eats chickpeas?
Because chickpeas are packed full of fiber, eating too many can give your dog a pup-set stomach and might give them excess flatulence, loose stools, and paw-haps diarrheas.
A freelance writer and huge animal advocate, with 6 dogs and 3 cats. Graduated with a medical degree and is now spending time running a shelter and rescuing animals in need. Loves a good book, travel and spend time with family and pets.
