Can dogs eat edamame? Yes. Soybeans are basically soybeans, which are very safe for dogs, rich in plant-based proteins, nutrients such as folate and manganese, making them a healthy and tasty snack. Here’s a look at the benefits, drawbacks, precautions and how to feed your dog fur beans.
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Benefits of Eating Soybeans for Dogs
After knowing the answer to the question “Can Dogs Eat Edamame”, you will definitely want to know what are the benefits of eating soybeans for dogs, right? Let’s take a look at the nutritional composition and value of beans. Below is the nutritional composition contained in one serving of cooked beans (about 100 grams):
Calories: 121
Protein: 12 grams
Fat: 5.2 grams
Carbohydrate: 8.9 g
Sugar: 2.2 grams
Fiber: 5.2 g
Moisture: 73 grams
Rich in Protein
100 grams of soybean already contains 12 grams of protein, which is a very high protein content for a plant food. Protein is the most important thing for your dog’s body, so the beans can be used as a snack to increase your dog’s protein intake.
It is important to note that because the protein in soybeans is plant-based, it is not as biologically valuable as animal products, and your dog will absorb less of it.
The Effects of Not Having Soy on Humans
I think we’ve all heard that soy or soy-based foods seem to have a negative impact on humans. The good news is that soy protein doesn’t seem to have an effect on your dog’s body. Studies have shown that soy protein, like animal protein, does not negatively affect the glomerular filtration rate in the dog’s body.
Rich in a variety of nutrients
Soybeans are a concentrated source of nutrients, most notably folic acid, manganese, and vitamin K1, and here’s how they work for dogs:
Vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, has been found to be a major factor in assisting amino acid metabolism, as well as ensuring cell membrane integrity. Studies have pointed out that pregnant dog moms who are deficient in small vitamin B9 may have babies born with cleft lips and jaws.
Vitamin K (Leaf Quinone) – Important mainly for blood clotting and maintaining bone health. A deficiency of K1 can cause internal bleeding due to hemorrhaging, which can lead to death if left untreated for long periods of time. Manganese – Essential for normal metabolic functions.
Maintains good endocrine function
Since soybeans are a type of soybean, they are rich in isoflavones, which are natural plant compounds. They act like phytoestrogens, attaching to and activating hormones in the body.
Dog research suggests that isoflavones may be beneficial for endocrine function in dogs, and other animal studies also suggest that isoflavones may help prevent certain types of cancer and overweight problems.
Reduced Chance of Developing Diabetes
Isoflavones found in soy foods have been shown in various in vitro and animal studies to have beneficial effects on blood sugar control, thus reducing the risk of diabetes.
The Bad Side of Eating Fuzzy Beans for Dogs
While there are all kinds of benefits of eating fur beans for dogs, it’s important to keep an eye out for the bad side as well:
The problem of abdominal upsurge
Soybeans are legumes, and for some dogs with average stomachs, legumes can easily cause abdominal problems. This may be related to the high fiber content of the beans, so you should not eat too many servings of beans.
Causes allergy
Soy foods, such as snap peas, have a relatively high chance of causing allergic reactions. Studies have shown that soybeans are second only to barley is the most likely food to cause allergic reactions in dogs.
Precautions for Feeding Soy Beans to Dogs
In the beginning, when I explained “Can dogs eat beans”, I mentioned that there are some precautions that need to be taken:
Pods and skins
Basically, humans won’t eat the outer layer of beans because they are too hard and difficult to digest. So be sure to take away the pods and skins when giving your dog fur beans.
Raw Soybeans
The side effect of the trypsin inhibitors found in raw fur beans is that they inhibit the operation of digestive enzymes, without which your dog’s body can’t metabolize food properly, leading to diarrhea.
A guide to eating snap peas for dogs and portion sizes
I’m not a big fan of the soybean, I usually eat 3 – 5% of my main food portion (about 10 soybeans), and if I go over that, my stomach may start to hurt. My favorite way to eat them is “Peanut Butter Soya Bean Balls”:
- Peel the beans and take out only the inside.
- Boil the beans in water, make sure they are soft.
- Take a spoonful of peanut butter.
- Stick about 10 beans on top of the peanut butter, yummy!
Finally, it is still important to note that according to the latest research, hairy peas, while not toxic to dogs, may not be suitable for their bodies. (USFDA) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently released information about dog diets in which peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes were the main ingredient, and found that such diets may be associated with canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
DCM is a disease of the heart that affects the heart’s ability to pump blood to all parts of the body and even increases the size of the heart. Alterations in the function and structure of the heart can have serious consequences, such as congestive heart failure or sudden death.
