Is it safe to feed sunflower seeds to dogs?
Sunflower seeds are a delicious snack that is loved by all. The crunchy and nutty texture of the seeds is what makes them tastier. Sunflower seeds are not just plain snacks to fill your tummy, but they are also the storehouse of nutrients. This includes proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. For humans, it has several health benefits to offer. Now the question is can dogs eat sunflower seeds?
If you are confused about whether you should feed your dog sunflower seeds or not, then you need to give this article a read. This post will answer all the questions that you want to know.
Can sunflower seeds be given to dogs?
Yes, sunflower seeds can be given to dogs. The only thing to keep in mind is to feed them in the right proportion. You need to make sure that you don’t overfeed your dog.
Sunflower seeds are nutritious items and feeding them to your dogs can be beneficial for their health. When feeding sunflower seeds or any other seeds for that matter make sure that they are peeled. Also, the seeds shouldn’t have any added salt in it as this can lead to health issues in your dogs.
You can feed your dog sunflower seed kernel. Remove the black shell, before giving it to them. If your dog eats the shell, it can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues and diarrhea.
What are the benefits of feeding sunflower seeds to dogs?
Feeding sunflower seeds to your dog can be highly beneficial for its health. Studies have shown that sunflower seeds improve your dog’s skin and coat. The fatty acids contained in the seeds help maintain a healthy coat and skin.
The seeds are also good for relieving stress and depression in your dogs. The magnesium content in the seeds has proven to alleviate depression and fatigue in dogs. Feeding the right amount of sunflower seeds can improve the overall health of canines.
How much sunflower seeds should be given to dogs?
Every 46 grams of sunflower seeds contains 269 calories. Therefore, you need to feed the right quantity to your dog.
The number of seeds to be fed depends on the size of your dog. For small dogs, 10 to 20 seeds are just fine. As far as big dogs are concerned, 20 to 40 seeds will do well.
You can either feed the seeds directly to your dogs or add small amounts of it in dog treats and cookies. This method of feeding is good for dogs who won’t eat the seeds directly.
How to know if your dog is allergic to sunflower seeds?
Not all dogs are allergic to sunflower seeds. But if you are feeding sunflower seeds for the first time, you should first do the allergy check.
Before you start feeding sunflower seeds to your dog, give them just 2 to 5 seeds in the beginning. If they don’t react badly, it means they are not allergic to it. In case, they do, you should immediately stop.
What are the possible side effects of feeding sunflower seeds to dogs?
Overfeeding or feeding the wrong type of sunflower seeds can be bad for your dog’s health. When giving seeds to your dog, you need to remove the shell and check whether they are salted or not. Giving salted seeds can cause high blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and other issues.
Seeds with shells can cause gas problems and indigestion. Overfeeding sunflower seeds can be harsh on your dog’s stomach. So you need to keep these things in mind while giving sunflower seeds to your dog.
FAQs
1. What type of seeds can be given to dogs?
You can give your dog quite a variety of seeds including sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and flax seeds. But make sure you feed them the right quantity.
2. How many times in a day can you feed sunflower seeds to dogs?
In a day, you are supposed to give only 10 to 20 seeds to small dogs and 20 to 40 seeds to big dogs. They are very high in calories, therefore, you need to maintain the quantity.
3. How to feed sunflower seeds to dogs?
You can either give them the seeds to eat directly, after peeling the shell. If your dog doesn’t like it that way, then you can mix it well in their treats and food.
4. Should you give sunflower seeds to puppies?
For small puppies, you should give them just 4 to 5 seeds in a day. As they grow up, you can increase the quantity up to the required amount.
Sunflower seeds are good for your dog as long as you follow the guidelines. Make sure you feed them the seeds in the right way, or else it can come heavy on your dog’s health.
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