Can dogs eat Flour?

can dogs eat flourCaution

Overview

dog-food-safety-information

Although flour is generally safe for dogs to eat, it’s not recommended as part of their regular diet. Flour, on its own, has little nutritional benefit to dogs. The refining process strips the flour of its nutrients. Flour may trigger an allergic reaction in dogs with a wheat allergy.

Benefits

health-benefits
  • Flour is generally safe for dogs to eat as it's used as a binding agent for dog food and treats.
  • Different types of flour have different nutritional values. Some flour types are better for dogs than others when it comes to nutritional content.
  • White flour is made from refined wheat. The refining process removes most of the nutrients from the wheat.
  • Healthier alternatives to regular flour are almond flour, coconut flour, whole wheat flour, buckwheat flour and oat flour because they have more nutrients including protein and fiber.

Risks

health-risks
  • Flour is not meant to be consumed on its own as it is a choking hazard and could lead to gastrointestinal issues.
  • Regular flour and white flour have little nutritional value for dogs.
  • When consumed excessively, flour can lead to weight gain and bloating.
  • Dogs with grain or wheat allergies should not be given flour.
health-risks-dog

Servings

serving-suggestions
  • Flour can be used as an ingredient to make homemade dog treats.
  • Flour is one of the ingredients in many commercial dog food and dog treats.
  • Flour should not be the main part of a dog's regular diet.

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