Sunflower seeds are a summer basic for people and a pop mix - in for bird feed . Whether your domestic dog ’s begging for you to share your collation or has broken into a bagful of helianthus seed , you ’re probably wonder : are sunflower seeds ok for weenie ?
The short answer is yes , helianthus germ are safe for dogs to eat . However , that does n’t stand for you should pour them the right way into your dog ’s bowling ball of kibble or ignore a puppy who ’s gotten into shelled or roasted sunflower seeds .
In some case , helianthus ejaculate and mathematical product can be sorry for dogs . And if you ’re worried about your Canis familiaris ’s well - being or see star sign of distress ( like vomiting or looseness of the bowels ) after they have start out into something , it ’s always best to contact your veterinarian for help .
Here , we ’ll share the potential health benefits and risks associated with feeding dogs sunflower seeds , and whether dogs can have other helianthus ejaculate - based products like helianthus cum oil and sunflower butter .
Can Dogs Have Sunflower Seeds?
Yes ! “ helianthus seeded player are safe to fertilise to cad , ” saysDr . Nancy Welborn , an adjunct prof of veterinary clinical science at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in Baton Rouge . That say , dog - favorable helianthus seed are likely not the kind you regularly buy .
“ They have to have the stubble off , you’re able to only feed them the gist , and they require to be unsalted because [ salted sunflower seeds ] can be way too much extra Na for a dog to consume , ” say Dr. Welborn .
If sunflower seeds are o.k. for dogs , you might also be rum about other helianthus ejaculate products like sunbutter and sunflower oil .
Can Dogs Have Sunflower Oil?
Oil press from sunflower seeds is n’t severe for dogs to eat , but it ’s not a good idea either . Like sunflower butter , it ’s high-pitched in calories and most pet parents should be concerned with weight unit criminal maintenance for dogs , not carry on more pounds .
Unless your veterinarian recommends sunflower oil as a supplement to your puppy ’s diet , keeping this cooking oil on the “ no ” list for your cad is best .
Can Dogs Have Sunflower Butter?
If you ’re looking to fill up a treat toy for a hungry frank , you ’re in luck : Sunbutter can be a secure choice to peanut butter in households where someone has a peanut allergic reaction .
“ Sunflower butter can be safely ingest by wiener as long as the amount is n’t excessive , ” saysDr . Alex Schechter , a Detroit - base veterinarian . “ However , sunflower butter is exceptionally high in calories , so it should only be yield as a special treat . ”
Can Dogs Eat Sunflower Seeds in the Shell?
learn a frankfurter munching through sunflower seeds in the shell is n’t just uncomfortable — it ’s also your clew to take them away ASAP , no matter your pup ’s enthusiasm .
“ The shelled sunflower seeded player can pose a choking chance , ” says Dr. Schechter . “ hound ineffective to digest vanquish come incline the risk of a GI blockage or impediment . ”
If you point out your click has signs of an upset Gb tract , like vomit and looseness , after munching on shelled helianthus seeds , seek veterinary attention forthwith .
Unsalted , unshelled helianthus seed are typically bonny game for dogs . Even better , they may fall with some wellness benefits .
Are Sunflower Seeds Good for Dogs?
Sunflower seeds are a great informant of tidy fats , protein , vulcanized fiber and essential nutrient for dogs , including vitamin tocopherol , B6 and magnesium .
“ They ’re good for canines ’ overall health and well - being [ … ] , and helianthus seeds are considered substantial for their tegument and coat , ” says Dr. Schechter .
Onestudyfound that frump whose diets were supplement with sunflower seeded player experienced melioration in theirskin and coathealth equate to dogs that did n’t have sunflower seeds added to their diet . The hike is likely linked to higher levels of hefty fats called polyunsaturated butterball battery-acid .
If you ’ve get wind about wellness benefits relate to helianthus seeded player , it ’s beguiling to strike the pro think of you should sprinkle them onto your frankfurter ’s solid food regularly . “ Many of us imagine , ‘ if it ’s expert for me , I need to feed it to my pet , ’ ” says Dr. Welborn . “ But if a little bit is a good thing , a luck does n’t always mean better . ”
When Are Sunflower Seeds Bad for Dogs?
dog and helianthus seeds do n’t always mix well . Sunflower seeds can place a danger to dogs when they rust them with the shield on or get into snack designed for humans , like roasted helianthus seeds which are often covered in common salt , oil , and flavourer . Some flavouring , like garlic , are toxic to dogs .
“ Avoid feeding salted seeds as they can lead to wellness ramification such as atomic number 11 toxicosis [ toxic level of sodium ] and symptoms like vomiting , diarrhea , seizuresand extravagant thirst and micturition , ” says Dr. Schechter .
While unsalted , shell sunflower seeds are safe for andiron , it ’s also of import not to give them too much . Here ’s what you call for to know about safely giving your puppy the occasional kickshaw .
Sunflower Seeds and Dogs: Helpful Feeding Tips
Although sunflower seeds are safe for dogs , think about why you ’d want to feed them to your dog : are you trying to improve their health ? Do you want them to have a shinier coat ? Before you mix sunflower seeds into your firedog ’s food , follow these tips to keep them good and healthy :
refer with your vet first . No matter the reason , it ’s always best to check with your veterinary surgeon before adding anything new to your dog ’s dieting , especially if you ’re concerned about food for thought sensitivity or especial wellness needs , articulate Dr. Schechter . They may have specific recommendations for medications or addendum that can be more helpful .
debate the choice . While helianthus seeds may transmit some wellness benefit , detent food and delicacy are specifically designed to be nutritionally balanced for hound and might be a better option .
Reserve them for special social function . helianthus seed should n’t be an workaday nutrient for dogs . “ reckon of them as a treat once or twice a week , ” say Dr. Welborn . The same start for sunbutter . Because these foods are high in calories , it ’s good to define them , even more so if you ’re watching your dog ’s weight .
Stick to small collation sizes . Treats including helianthus seeds should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog ’s caloric uptake . It could lead to dietary asymmetry . For a healthy and happy dog , Dr. Welborn recommends about 10 to 20 helianthus ejaculate kernels for a detent that weighs less than 30 pounds or about 30 to 40 kernels for larger dog a few multiplication a hebdomad at most . For sunflower butter , stick to a uttermost of one to two spoonfuls for special occasions , Dr. Schechter enjoin .
