Can Dogs Eat Falafel
Falafel is a delicious– and nutritious!– food that can come in many different flavours. It is perfectly harmful for humans, as long as there are no food allergies involved, so you may wonder if your dog is able to have some, too.
After all, we love to share with our pets, and when they pull out those puppy dog eyes, it is hard to say no! However, falafel is not a safe treat for your four-legged friend, as some of its ingredients could cause reactions and other health issues. Read on for more information.
What Is Falafel?
Falafel can come in the form of either balls or patties. It is a vegetarian meal, as it is made of mashed chickpeas and added spices or other ingredients. The dish is cooked by deep-frying it in order to achieve a crispy exterior, while still being soft and tender inside. Falafel is a staple on Middle Eastern menus.
The herbs and spices that are added to falafel dictate some of its flavor. In general, falafel has an earthy and herbaceous flavor profile. Nuts can sometimes be added for additional texture and sauces and dressings can also add an extra kick of flavor. Falafel is versatile and can be eaten on its own, or as part of a mezze spread or a sandwich, for instance.
Related – Can Dogs Eat Jackfruit?
related – Can Dogs Eat Hot Dogs
Can Dogs Eat Falafel?
Falafel is a great dish for humans but is unfortunately not safe to share with your canine companion. This is because the ingredients and cooking methods involved can be harmful to your dog’s sensitive stomach. Chickpeas on their own are an acceptable treat for dogs– the issue here comes down to the herbs and spices.
Digestive Issues
Falafel can induce serious gastrointestinal issues in dogs, and this is in part due to the ingredients, and in part due to the cooking method of deep-frying that is used. Many of the ingredients in falafel can cause digestive issues like stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea because your dog is unable to properly digest or process the ingredients.
The oil that is used to deep fry the falafel can also be a problem for your dog. Just as lots of fried food can bother the stomach of a human, fried food and oil can cause indigestion and issues such as diarrhea and loose stools.
Toxic Ingredients
Another issue with falafel is that it has the potential to include many toxic ingredients. These ingredients are not toxic to the humans that the falafel is meant for, and add lots of flavor to the dish, but they can cause health issues in your dog that can even lead to death. Certain toxic ingredients include common kitchen ingredients such as onion, garlic, and spices like cumin.
Depending on the particular ingredient, the symptoms of poisoning or toxicity can vary. For instance, when your dog consumes toxic onions, it causes a breakdown in red blood cells within your dog’s body. It then leads to anemia. Onion toxicity can be identified by vomiting and diarrhea early on, soon after ingesting the onions. The symptoms of anemia may take longer to appear– typically several days to a week.
If your pet does exhibit these symptoms or has eaten these ingredients or falafel, you should consult your vet. The vet will be able to safely induce vomiting in your pet if necessary, as well as treat any other issues or symptoms that are occurring in your dog.
Feeding Your Dog Chickpeas
Your dog cannot have falafel, but chickpeas themselves, which are the prime ingredient in falafel, can actually be a great addition to your dog’s diet. Chickpeas have many nutritional benefits and vitamins and minerals to share– some of these include vitamins A, B, and C, as well as fibre, protein, and potassium. Due to this, chickpeas are a popular ingredient in natural commercial dog food.
If you are planning to feed your dog chickpeas, you could either do so as a special, healthy treat, or you could add it to Fido’s daily diet. You can get chickpeas canned, but if you do, you should ensure that they are not canned with ingredients that could be harmful to your dogs, such as spices or onions and garlic. You should only ever be feeding your dog plain chickpeas, and you should be cooking them plainly as well. While that may not seem as exciting for your pet’s taste buds, it is a safe thing to do.
When it comes to portion sizes, you should consult with your vet, as dogs of different sizes will be able to tolerate different amounts of chickpeas. You also want to be sure that you are not overfeeding your dog chickpeas, and these should be used as an addition to your pet’s regular meals, rather than a meal substitute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are chickpeas safe for dogs to eat?
Your dog can eat chickpeas, as long as they are plain and had not been canned with ingredients like onion or garlic that can hurt your dog. Chickpeas are actually found in natural commercial dog food due to the vitamins and minerals that they have to offer.
Can dogs eat hummus or chickpeas?
Dogs can eat chickpeas if they are plain, but hummus and other processed chickpea products have additives like spices and seasonings which can end up being harmful to your dog.
Will chickpeas hurt dogs?
If chickpeas are prepared properly, they will not hurt your dog. That being said, it can also be very dangerous to feed your dog chickpeas or chickpea products, because they may contain additional ingredients that could be harmful or even toxic for your pet. If you are overfeeding your dog chickpeas, this can also be dangerous.
Is falafel poisonous to dogs?
While falafel is not inherently poisonous to dogs, it may contain ingredients that are poisonous or toxic to your pet. Some seasonings and additives like garlic and onions can be very harmful to your pet.