Edamame For Dogs - All You Need To Know

Can dogs have edamame? The answer is yes they can! Edamame is not toxic to dogs and can be offered to provide them with an extra boost of vitamins and minerals.

Let’s explore the wonders of edamame and discover what benefits it may offer for our furry friends.

What is edamame?

Popular in Asian cuisines, edamame is a type of bean that can be enjoyed raw, steamed, or boiled. Edamame beans are immature soy beans that are harvested before they are ripe.

Edamame beans are available either shelled or within the pod and often come fresh or frozen.

Can dogs eat edamame beans?

Yes! Dogs can eat edamame beans in small portions whether they are cooked or raw. However, as with any food, you should be careful of any reactions, and dogs with an allergy to soya should not be given edamame beans at all. Edamame beans should be offered as part of a wider, more varied diet. Suggested reading: How many treats can my dog have a day?

Is edamame good for dogs?

Yes, edamame is good for dogs and contains high levels of vitamins and minerals which benefit their health in different ways.

Edamame beans support a variety of functions in a dog’s body and can make a great addition to their diet if it is required. A good quality dog food should contain high levels of vitamins and minerals, avoiding the need of supplementation.

Fiber is required in a dogs diet and helps to support their digestive systems. Having plenty of fiber helps to ensure that they produce plenty of faeces, avoiding constipation. Lovely!

Fiber can also help to prevent different types of cancers, diabetes, obesity, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Dogs can produce their own source of Vitamin C, so additional supplementation is not usually essential.

Vitamin C plays an important role within a dog’s body by supporting the function of a healthy immune system, supporting the blood’s function of clotting, as well as stimulating white blood cells to fight infection.

Protein has a variety of roles within a dog’s body and is required for the body’s systems to function correctly.

Protein helps the body in hormone production which allows for communication between the different organs of the body and act as ‘chemical messengers’.

With a variety of roles in a dog’s body, Omega-3 is one of the most important supplements that can be offered to your dog.

Omega-3 can act as an anti-inflammatory, helping with conditions such as arthritis. Your dog’s skin, coat, muscles, and brain can all benefit from the goodness of Omega-3!

Calcium helps with vital functions in a dog’s body such as blood clotting, essential bone growth, and muscle contractions.

The nervous system is also supported by calcium, allowing nerve impulses to travel throughout the body efficiently.

Can dogs eat soy?

In short, yes dogs can eat soy, as long as they do not have an allergy to it. As the edamame bean is an immature soy bean, they do contain high levels of soy protein. Most dog foods contain elements of soy, however, if you think that your dog has an allergy to it, you should speak with your veterinary practice regarding allergy testing. Symptoms of a soy allergy can include:

Vomiting
Diarrhea

Pyoderma (skin infection)
Obsessive licking of the skin
Ear infections

Blepharitis (swollen eyelids)

These symptoms can also indicate other health problems, so always consult your veterinary surgeon if you are concerned about your dog’s health. These symptoms may indicate an allergy to a variety of food or environmental factors.

Can dogs have soy sauce?

No, dogs should eat soy sauce. However, this is not because of the soy content, as we have established that dogs can consume soy in moderation. The main risk of soy sauce is the high level of sodium that it contains.

If your dog consumes more than a teaspoon of soy sauce, then they are at risk of neurological issues, salt poisoning, or even kidney damage!

Symptoms that may follow soy sauce ingestion include:

Vomiting
Diarrhea

Polydypsia (increased thirst)
Polyuria (increased urination)
Dehydration

Seizures

If you think that your dog has ingested a small amount of soy sauce, offer them plenty of water and speak with your veterinary practice. If your dog has ingested a large volume of soy sauce then seek veterinary attention immediately.

Other foods that our canine companions should avoid due to their sodium content (among other things) include spam, pepperoni, and pretzels.

Hazards of edamame to dogs

There are some hazards that are associated with dogs consuming edamame beans. As with any new food, always offer a small amount initially and monitor your dog for any signs of reaction. Edamame should be offered as a supplement and should not make up a large portion of your dog’s diet. Studies have shown that high levels of soy in a dog’s diet can lead to thyroid, liver, and kidney damage. If you are interested in regularly offering edamame to your dog as part of their diet, it may be worth speaking with your veterinary surgeon or canine nutritionist. Edamame beans are often available pre-prepared in grocery stores. Ensure that you check how they have been prepared or preserved, as some may contain high levels of preservatives, such as sodium. Toxic ingredients such as garlic and chili may also be added to ‘ready to eat’ edamame, so ensure that you are purchasing fresh unseasoned edamame beans. Edamame beans grow in a protective pod. While the pod is not toxic to dogs, it is often difficult to chew, swallow and digest. The pod of the edamame bean has the potential to become a choking hazard or cause a gastrointestinal blockage, so it’s probably best to leave that off the menu! Due to the high levels of fiber found within edamame beans, symptoms such as constipation, excessive gas, bloat, and diarrhea may occur if a large volume is consumed. Abdominal bloat within large breed dogs is an extremely dangerous condition and veterinary attention should be sought after immediately if bloat occurs.

Can dogs have edamame - final thoughts

Edamame contains high levels of omega-3, protein, and fiber, all of which can benefit our dog’s overall health.

However, it may not be essential to supplement our dog’s diet with edamame as there is a high level of essential vitamins and minerals found in good quality dog food.

If you are wanting to offer edamame beans to your canine friend, ensure you do so in small quantities. If you are at all concerned about your dog after they have ingested edamame, then speak with your veterinary practice for advice.

Benjamin Witcomb

Benjamin is a registered veterinary nurse with a particular interest in anaesthesia and nurse consultations. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking in the Peak District with his partner, Dan, and his cockapoo Barney. He also cares for his hand-reared kitten, Sydney, tortoise Missy, and poison dart frogs Miso and Nori.

Edamame for dogs – all you need to know

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