When determining what type of dog food or treat to feed your furry BFF, there’s a lot to consider. One of the most significant factors is whether to include grains and what type of grains are best for your pup. There is much debate about whether or not dogs should eat grains and starches. 

Many assume dogs are meant to eat only meat like their wild wolf ancestors. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some dog parents include gluten, wheat, corn, soy, and other grains in their pup’s diet. These ingredients are rich in nutrients for humans, but they can cause irritation for some canines. 

Can dogs eat quinoa? The short answer is, yes.

Quinoa is an excellent alternative to gluten and wheat. This whole grain contains a range of benefits for your pup’s health, and is a complex carbohydrate. 

 Let’s take a closer look below.

Quinoa, like white quinoa and red quinoa, is an excellent ingredient for dogs. It’s rich in nutrients, vitamins, protein, calcium, and fiber. Here are the benefits of including this superfood in your canine’s diet.  

Quinoa is one of the best alternative grains available. This is one of the most significant benefits of including quinoa in your canine’s diet. 

The grain debate surrounding dog food is heated, so here’s what you need to know. 

First, dogs require a balanced diet, just like us humans. Feeding them only one type of food, like meat-only diets, or diets full of too much gluten, can lead to an imbalance in nutrition and a range of other problems. 

Grain-free diets can even be linked to heart problems. 

So, finding dog food with both meat and grains is important. However, there are better grain options than gluten-filled wheat. 

This is where quinoa comes in handy! Quinoa is a whole grain that provides carbohydrates, energy, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins while helping your dog’s gut stay comfortable, happy, and healthy. 

Not only is gluten not the best option for your dog, but it’s actually one of the top food allergies amongst canines. 

Gluten can cause a range of issues, from insensitivity to life-threatening reactions. Keeping your dog gluten-free altogether is an excellent way to avoid potential reactions and symptoms of health problems, but remember that gluten-free doesn’t mean grain-free. 

Quinoa is a nutrient-rich alternative to filler ingredients like corn and soy. 

Quinoa contains more calcium, protein, antioxidants, minerals, and fiber than other grain-based ingredients. Calcium is necessary for building strong bones and protein is critical for energy, muscle strength, growth, repair, and reproduction. 

Fiber is essential for digestive health, regularity, weight management, and regulating blood sugar. Quinoa also contains key vitamins and minerals to help support brain function, blood sugar levels, and a healthy cardiovascular system.

There’s no shortage of reasons to choose quinoa over other grains. The benefits go on and on. How can you incorporate quinoa into your pup’s diet? Read on below to find out. 

You can give your dog quinoa as a snack or include it in homemade dog food. 

When preparing quinoa for your pup, it’s important to keep it simple. Keep portions small and keep extra ingredients to a minimum. 

Never give your dog quinoa that you’ve prepared as part of a meal for yourself, with seasonings like salt, onion, or garlic. These ingredients don’t belong in your pup’s diet and can cause a lot more harm than good.

It’s also important to wash quinoa before preparing it. Quinoa naturally produces a substance known as saponin. This substance is meant to protect quinoa from insects and predators, but it may cause irritation in some humans and pets. 

Luckily, washing quinoa before preparing it gets rid of most saponin. 

Follow these guidelines to make sure you feed your pup quinoa the right way!

If you don’t have the time or resources to make your own dog food at home, don’t sweat it. This is why we made Sundays. Our high-quality dry dog food contains just the right amount of nourishing ingredients like quinoa to give your pup the nutrients they need to thrive.

Plus, our dog food is gently air-dried, made up to human-grade standards, and doesn’t contain any of the fake stuff you’ll find in most bags on the shelf.  

Quinoa is a generally safe ingredient for dogs. However, there are a few things to note. 

As with any new food or kibble, it’s important to introduce quinoa into your dog’s diet slowly in order to avoid upsetting their stomach. Changing your dog’s diet too suddenly can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, and other uncomfortable GI reactions. 

If you’re buying premade dog food, it’s important to look at any other grains listed on the ingredients. If you see quinoa alongside wheat, gluten, and rice, quinoa may only be listed at the tail-end of the ingredients in minimal amounts for marketing rather than nutritional benefits. 

Finding the perfect dog food for your furry best friend isn’t always easy. You have to learn what ingredients to avoid, which ingredients to look for, and what your dog does and doesn’t like. To help keep your dog healthy and happy, choose Sundays.

Our dog food is minimally processed and made with only the best ingredients for your pup. We believe every bite counts. That’s why we include ingredients like whole fruits, whole vegetables, USDA-grade beef, and of course, quinoa, to help your dog thrive. 

With key nutrients like essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, our dog food was made with your pup’s wellbeing in mind. 

If you’re looking for dog food with quinoa, Sundays is a no-brainer. Take a look at our customized dog food plans here to find a plan that fits your pup. 

Sources:

Can Dogs Eat Wheat And Other Grains? | American Kennel Club 

FDA Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy | FDA 

Health Benefits of Quinoa | Whole Grain Council