Can Dogs Eat Hummus? Best Treatment & Alternatives 2023
Can dogs eat Hummus? Humans love Hummus, and it’s become increasingly popular in recent years as more people try to eat healthier and include more plant-based protein in their diet. My spaniel has sat sniffing the air and giving me her best puppy eyes whenever I’ve snacked on carrots and Hummus, hoping to bribe a bite from me. This isn’t a treat you should give your dog, though. You may already know that chickpeas are safe for Fido to eat, and since Hummus is primarily made up of chickpeas, you might assume that this tasty dip is as well. That is not the case, however. Let’s see what we can find out about the question, “can dogs eat hummus.”
Can dogs eat Hummus?
No, your dog is unable to consume Hummus. Although chickpeas are a safe food for dogs, several other ingredients in that thick and tasty dip could harm them.
Hummus also contains tahini, oil, concentrated lemon juice, salt, garlic, and chickpeas.
Even a large dog should only consume a teaspoon of oil per day. Because oil is high in fat and calories, overeating can upset your dog’s stomach and cause gastrointestinal problems and more severe conditions like pancreatitis. Not to mention that eating fatty foods can cause weight gain. It’s always good to keep your dog’s oil intake under control, and Hummus is high in it. Another issue with Hummus is that it contains lemon juice, garlic, and salt, all of which are toxic to dogs and can cause gastrointestinal irritation, dehydration, and even poisoning. We’ll go over this in greater detail later.
Although these ingredients are so small that a tiny dollop of Hummus is unlikely to harm a large dog, it’s better to be safe than sorry and avoid feeding Fido hummus. Because small breed dogs are more susceptible to harmful ingredients, even a tiny amount of Hummus can make them sick. Tahini is a sesame seed paste made from toasted and ground seeds that is safe for dogs to eat. Meanwhile, the oil used is typically olive or rapeseed, which is safe for dogs to consume but only in small amounts.
What happens if a dog eats Hummus?
There is a chance that your dog will become ill if he eats Hummus, which contains garlic and other toxic ingredients. While the offending ingredients in Hummus are toxic to dogs, they would have to be consumed in large quantities.
Is there a certain amount of Hummus that dogs can’t eat? No, but take into consideration that some dogs are more sensitive than others. If someone asks if small dogs can eat Hummus, I always say no – never give it to them. Keep an eye on your dog if they have eaten much Hummus by accident. Symptoms of sickness and a toxic reaction after eating Hummus include apparent abdominal pain, diarrhea, drooling, vomiting, and fatigue.
The bottom line is that there are many other things you can feed your dog besides Hummus, so leave it out, and you won’t have to worry about the risks.
The harmful ingredients in Hummus
The ingredients are the crux of the matter regarding why Hummus can be harmful to dogs.
Hummus is a savory dish, dip, or spread that is popular worldwide in Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s made with chickpeas that have been cooked and mashed, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. Other unique ingredients may be added to some recipes.
Even though Hummus is high in dietary fiber, protein, vitamin B6, and manganese, the main ingredients can make dogs sick. Garlic, for example, is one of the most toxic foods for dogs, and it’s often found in Hummus. So, how can Hummus be harmful to dogs if it is so healthy and nutritious for humans? Let’s take a closer look at the individual ingredients to find an answer to that question.
Lemon
Citric acid is abundant in lemons, and it is found in concentrated form in lemon juice. This acid may cause your dog’s stomach to react negatively. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea in the short term. Furthermore, even if your dog does not become ill due to eating a lemon, there is no benefit to your dog in doing so.
Garlic
Another common ingredient in Hummus is garlic. Dogs are poisoned by garlic and other allium family members, such as onions. They have the potential to harm red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia. Vomiting and diarrhea are two short-term symptoms. What is considered a safe amount to feed your dog is a point of contention. Even though some dry dog foods contain trace amounts of garlic, it’s best to assume that any portion of garlic is toxic and avoid feeding it to your dog.
Tahini (not harmful)
Tahini is a sesame seed paste made from toasted ground hulled seeds. It can be used as a dip or an ingredient in various other dishes.
Can dogs eat tahini, even though it is a delicious human snack? Tahini is not toxic to dogs so they can eat it. In moderation, tahini can even be beneficial to dogs. It contains a significant amount of protein as well as healthy fatty acids. Calcium, manganese, potassium, zinc, and phosphorus are all found.
All of these things help dogs to be healthier. Sesamin and sesamolin, which help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, are also present. As a result, tahini provides a variety of nutrients that can be beneficial to dogs. However, if you give your dog too much tahini, he may have trouble digesting it. Because canines are primarily carnivores, seeds are difficult for them to digest.
What if my dog accidentally eats Hummus?
Find out how much Hummus your dog has consumed before you freak out. Stay calm if your dog ate a small amount of Hummus by accident. There’s no need to be concerned. A small amount may not pose a significant threat to your dog’s stomach or digestive system.
If your dog overate Hummus, it could get garlic poisoning. Keep a close eye on him and see if you can spot any of the following signs:
- Drooling.
- Vomiting.
- Nauseating.
- Continuous abdominal pain.
If he has these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.
Treatments if your dog has Hummus poisoning
You should take your four-legged friend to the vet right away if they have eaten a lot of Hummus. Your dog’s blood pressure will be checked through lab tests and a physical examination by the veterinarian. They may inquire about your dog’s medical history and diet. Several tests will be performed to determine the level of toxicity in your dog’s body.
Flushing the toxicity out of your dog’s system is the treatment for Hummus poisoning. If your dog ate Hummus recently, the vet might use activated charcoal to make him vomit. The toxicity in your dog’s digestive system will be eliminated due to this.
If this method fails, the dog’s digestive system will be flushed with a saline solution to remove any toxicity caused by the Hummus.
Healthy Alternatives to Hummus
There are many healthy alternatives for dogs, and it all depends on why you’re considering giving your dog this treat. If you feel guilty about eating chips and dip while he goes without, get some natural, healthy dog treats and give him a small serving instead. Alternatively, a variety of fruits can be highly beneficial to your dog. Healthy alternatives to unhealthy Hummus include apples, bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, and blueberries.
If you’re looking for a way to get your dog to eat chickpeas, you should know that they’re not toxic and contain several healthy ingredients. Prepare them at home and include them in your dog’s daily diet.
Conclusion
We all want to feed our faithful canine companions our favorite foods or snacks. This is especially true when the food is nutritious and healthy for humans. It has to be good for them if it’s good for us, right?
Sadly, this is not always the case, and Hummus is a prime example. We frequently assume that if something is good for us, it will also be suitable for our dogs. It’s important to remember that dogs and humans metabolize certain foods differently. As a result, something good for you may not suit your dog.
