Are you a a big tofu lover? If so, you might be surprised to learn that your four-legged friend can eat it as well. In this blog post, we will explore everything you might need to know about tofu and dogs like health benefits, potential risks, and everything there is to know about it!
What is Tofu, and Can Dogs Eat Them?
Tofu is a plant based food made from soybeans. Tofu is produced by coagulating soy milk and pressing it resulting into the known tofu blocks
When introducing a new food into our pups diet safety is always the primary concern. Many experts consider tofu to be a safe and beneficial food for dog's. However, there are some factors that need to be consider before giving this super food to your pup. Such as, ensuring that is cooked, and the tofu we are giving your dog is free of toxic ingredients like garlic and onions.
Risk of Feeding Tofu to Your Dog
Before introducing any new food to your dog is best to check with our local vet. If your pup has a soy allergy or is soy sensitive, you should avoid feeding tofu to them. Some dogs on the other hand are not soy sensitive at all in which case tofu can be a tasty and healthy snack.
One of the possible risk of feeding tofu to male dog's is their hormone balance or puppy's hormone levels. At the same time eating large quantities of this super food can cause your pup to have upset stomach and discomfort. Pups with a history of bloating issues should try to avoid eating tofu.
Benefits of Tofu for Dogs
If your dog is in a low in fat and calories diet, tofu offers a great alternative to meat-base proteins for dogs that are vegetarians or have food allergies. Tofu also offers proteins that are essential to your dog's diet like:
- Manganase
- Calcium
- Selenium
- Phosphorus
- Copper
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Zinc
Tofu may encourage weight loss. If your dog is a low purine diet, or suffer from liver issues Tofu is offers an alternative thanks to its high fiver levels it will help your pup feel better after meals.
How to Safely Incorporate Tofu into Your Dog's Diet
Like with anything in your dog's diet we always recommend to check in with your veterinarian to ensure that it's safe and appropriate for your pup. After being given the green light by your veterinarian we recommend that you start by introducing this super food in small amounts and gradually start increasing the portion size over time.
According to the American Kennel Club is that is important to cook the tofu and let it cool before giving to your pup its also extremally important to avoid sauces and seasonings among them onions and garlic.
Tofu & dogs might seem like an unlike pairing, but with a little caution and creativity it can become a healthy and delicious addition to your pups diet. Ensure that you check with your veterinarian before giving it your pup, and always monitor for digestive upsets or other health issues. Lastly, Bon Appetit!
