When it comes to our dogs, there is nothing more they love than us. Except for food of course.
Food is a different story when it comes to our doggos. There is nothing else that they will not eat. Whether it is the food on our table or something outside, they will chow on it.
However, we should be careful when it comes to giving them food.
Some foods may be harmful to them and we do not even know it. Other “human” foods may be okay in small quantities, but dangerous if our dogs eat too much.
In this article, we look at chickpeas. Also known by the funnier name Garbanzo beans.
Can dogs eat chickpeas? Are they safe for dogs? Should we limit how much of them a dog eat? Get the answers to these questions and more below.
Can Dogs Eat Chickpeas?
The answer to that is yes. Dogs can eat chickpeas. In fact, chickpeas contain a lot of nutrients that can help in making our dogs healthy.
Not only are chickpeas safe for dogs, but they are also quite healthy for them.
Chickpeas are high in nutritional goodness for dogs. They contain healthy nutrients and vitamins including protein, potassium, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, zinc, iron, and more.
Some of the benefits of chickpeas to dogs are they can help in preventing blood sugar conditions thanks to vitamin A. They are also rich in potassium which helps in lowering blood pressure levels.
Since they are chock full of vitamin C, they can aid in helping to strengthen a dog’s immune system. And the fact that chickpeas contain fiber means they can help in regulating digestive function.
Garbanzo beans are also high in protein which is essential for our dogs. In fact, did you know that chickpeas are one of the ingredients commonly found in dog food?
Cautions When Feeding a Dog Chickpeas
However, chickpeas are safe for dogs all the time. When you first feed chickpeas to your dog, you should only start with small amounts.
This is because you want to see how many chickpeas they can handle before it makes them gassy. While this can foul the air up in your home, there are serious health effects this can have on your dog. If you give your dog too many chickpeas, it can lead to bloating and abdominal cramps. So be sure to proceed cautiously here.
A few other tips before feeding your dog chickpeas.
You want to stick to feeding them cooked chickpeas. Uncooked chickpeas can be a choking hazard.
Avoid chickpeas that have been processed (ie. turned into hummus). In these situations, chickpeas are usually mixed with salt and other seasonings that could be harmful to dogs. You especially want to stay clear of seasonings like garlic powder and onion powder.
If you feed your dog canned chickpeas, take a look if any salt has been added. If so, it’s best to wash as much off as possible.
Your best bet here is to stick to plain, cooked chickpeas. That’s the healthiest, safest choice.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
The next article in the series looks at whether dogs can eat crabs. Check it out here – Can Dogs Eat Crab?
