Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM
Can dogs eat chickpeas? Chickpeas or garbanzo beans are healthy for dogs. These legumes contain fiber, folate, iron, protein, and other nutrients. They are one of the most common ingredients in natural dog food, and some dog owners include chickpeas in their homemade pet food recipes.
Let us explore each form of chickpea product’s benefits and the best way to serve this popular legume to our dogs.
The Ideal Way to Serve Chickpeas to Dogs
Cooked, plain chickpeas are the safest and the healthiest way for dogs. They can be served whole, mashed, or mixed with animal protein and vegetables.
Avoid adding ingredients like oil, salt, spices, garlic, and onion, resulting in digestive problems and other health issues such as obesity and pancreatitis.
Another way of feeding chickpeas to your dog is by using chickpea flour. It is safe for dogs and serves as a substitute for regular flour when making dog treats.
Pooches with grain and gluten allergies can significantly benefit from chickpea flour, as they are less likely to trigger allergic reactions.
Can dogs have canned chickpeas? Are they good for dogs?
While they are low-cost and convenient meals for us, it is best not to feed your dog canned chickpeas. They contain high sodium and high preservatives that can cause digestive upset.
In some cases, the preservatives can induce sodium toxicity if consumed in large amounts. Moreover, since canned chickpeas are processed food, they have a lower nutritional value compared to freshly cooked garbanzo beans.
If you want to feed chickpeas that are canned to your dog, rinse them well first to remove sodium and other preservatives.
Can dogs eat dried chickpeas?
Dried chickpeas are harmful to dogs since they are potential choking hazards. They are hard to chew and may easily get stuck in your dog’s throat, especially for small dogs.
Eating dried chickpeas in large amounts may cause stomach blockage too. It would be better to soak dried chickpeas overnight. Then, boil them so that they are soft and more digestible for your pup.
Can dogs eat hummus?
Sharing traditional hummus with dogs is a bad idea. It contains dangerous ingredients to canines, including garlic and lemon.
Allowing your dog to consume this human food increases the chances of experiencing stomach problems and poisoning. Consider making homemade dog-friendly hummus for your pooch instead.
Incredible Health Benefits of Chickpeas to Dogs
Chickpeas have chock-full of vitamins and minerals. They are loaded with vitamins A, C, B6, and K along with copper, iron, folate, selenium, choline, potassium, manganese, and magnesium.
High amounts of protein and fiber can be found in chickpeas as well. Below are the health benefits your dog can get from these nutrients:
Chickpeas boost his energy to keep him healthy and active.
Chickpeas are a great source of protein. One cup of this legume is equivalent to 15 grams of proteins. Protein plays a vital role in muscle and cell growth and maintenance.
Chickpeas also promote healthy skin and a glossy coat. With that said, pair chickpeas with animal proteins to maintain a good balance of amino acids, which are essential for your dog’s health.
Chickpeas regulate blood glucose levels and lessen the risk of diabetes.
Chickpeas are composed of complex carbohydrates. These decelerate energy release and prevent sudden spikes of blood sugar levels.
Aside from healthy pooches, diabetic dogs can greatly benefit from having chickpeas in their diet for the same reason.
Chickpeas alleviate inflammation caused by injuries and chronic illnesses.
Chickpeas are great for dogs that are plagued with arthritis and osteoarthritis. The legume has choline, which reduces chronic inflammation and effectively eases arthritic pains and muscle soreness.
Chickpeas lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
The fiber in chickpeas aids in regulating cholesterol levels in the blood. Chickpeas are also high in potassium and low in sodium, which dilates blood vessels. In turn, chickpeas prevent high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases from developing.
Chickpeas aid in cancer prevention and inhibit free-radical damage.
Chickpeas have a combination of nutrients that fight off cancer. It contains folate and saponins that curb cancer formation.
Selenium aids in getting rid of cancer-causing agents in the liver through detoxification, thus preventing tumor growth in dogs. Chickpeas are also rich in vitamin C, preventing oxidative damage in cells.
Chickpeas support a healthy digestive system and promote weight loss.
Chickpeas have a high fiber content that helps maintain smooth metabolism. They also prevent the development of mild to severe digestive problems, from diarrhea and constipation to colon cancer.
Chickpeas are highly beneficial for overweight and obese dogs because they are high in fiber and low in calories. These make your dog feel full quicker.
How Many Chickpeas Should Your Dog Eat?
Chickpeas are safe for your dog to eat but in moderation. A tablespoon of chickpeas is enough for small dog breeds, while 2 tablespoons will suffice for medium and large dog breeds.
Moreover, chickpeas should only be served occasionally; once a week is recommended.
If you give him too much of this legume, you may have to deal with a gassy pup. Excessive consumption of chickpeas can also cause him to suffer from bloat and stomach pains. It also puts him at risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy.
Always ask the vet’s opinion before incorporating chickpeas or any new food into your dog’s diet. It’s one way of ensuring that these foods are suitable for his dietary requirements.
Once you get the vet’s approval, start introducing chickpeas to your dog in small amounts to avoid digestive upset. If he exhibits no signs of stomach problems, you can gradually increase the number of legumes.
Homemade Chickpea Dog Treat
This is a recipe for a chickpea dog treat that your dog will love. Go ahead and whip it up in your kitchen.
Grain-free Banana Chickpea Biscuits
Ingredients:
- 1 medium banana, mashed
- 1 ¾ cup garbanzo bean flour
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons creamy, natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup rolled oats, optional
Procedures:
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Mix the banana, peanut butter, and egg in a small bowl. Stir until properly combined.
- In a medium bowl, mix the flour and rolled oats.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix them both thoroughly until they form a dough.
- Transfer the dough to a piece of heavily floured wax paper.
- Using a cookie cutter of your choice, roll the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness and cut out the cookies.
- Re-roll the scraps and cut out more cookies.
- Transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet. You can scoop teaspoons of dough onto a baking sheet and flatten the cookies with the ball of your palm.
- Bake the cookies for thirty to forty minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool and serve them to your furry pal.
