NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new foods, especially “people food.” What may be ok for a dog may not be good for your dog, depending on several factors such as their age, health history, health status and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or sweets outside the diet unless your veterinarian says it is good to do so.
The satisfying crunch can be difficult to resist – for you and your puppy – but can dogs eat sunflower seeds? Yes, they can – with some warnings.
Common, peeled (which means with the shell away), and unsalted sunflower seeds are safe for healthy, adult dogs to eat. But think about amounts and how they are prepared.
Key dealers
- Dogs can certainly eat plain, unsalted and peeled sunflower seeds in small quantities.
- Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E, healthy fats and antioxidants, which can support skin, coat and metabolic health.
- For many sunflower seeds can cause digestive problems, weight gain or even a bowel block in smaller dogs (especially if they are in their shells), so sub -control and safe prep are important.
Can dogs have sunflower seeds?
Yes, dogs may have sunflower seeds but only some kinds. The safest alternative is common, unsalted, peeled sunflower seeds. These are free from added salt and do not pose a suffocation risk from the hard outer shell.
Avoid giving your dog salted or flavored sunflower seeds or something that has been roasted in oil. Too much salt or fat can interfere with your dog's stomach and potentially lead to more serious health problems, such as pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas.
The tough shells can also be difficult to digest and can cause a bowel block, especially in smaller dogs.
If you do not want to share your snack, sunflower seeds are also used as an ingredient in some commercial dog fish and foods that you can give your dog. Here are some options:
Is sunflower seeds good for dogs?
Although they are not essential to your dog's diet, sunflower seeds contain a handful of favorable nutrients that can support your puppy's general health.
Some of the potential health benefits with sunflower seeds for dogs include:
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They are rich in nutrients. Although small seeds are a good source of vitamin E, magnesium, protein and fatty acids – nutrients that can help improve the dog's skin and coat. One study found that dogs that fed diets rich in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in sunflower seeds, had healthier skin and shiny coats.
Are sunflower seeds bad for dogs?
But while sunflower seeds offer some health benefits, they also have some risks:
They can present a choking risk
Skal of sunflower seeds can pose a suffocating danger to your dog. Make sure to remove the shell before splitting or buying them peeled.
They can cause digestion
If your dog gets hold of sunflower seeds still in their shells, watch out for signs of indigestion.
One or two seeds will probably not cause a problem if your dog can swallow them easily, but a few mouths can cause an upset stomach or even a bowel block.
Signs of a bowel block include:
Call your veterinarian if you notice any of these symptoms after your dog eats sunflower seeds, as your dog may need a doctor.
They can lead to weight gain or pancreas
While sunflower seeds are small, they are also high fat. Too much fat can contribute to weight gain over time or trigger pancreatitis. If your dog has a history of pancreatitis, avoid sunflower seeds completely.
How many sunflower seeds can a dog have?
All healthy candies combined, including sunflower seeds, should not exceed 10% of your dog's diet. The other 90% should come from a well -balanced dog food.
The following are general guidelines for serving sizes for healthy, adult dogs. If your puppy has any health problems or dietary restrictions, it is best to talk to your veterinarian before introducing a new food to their diet.
| Extra small dogs (2-10 pounds) | ½ teaspoon | 2-3 times per week |
| Small dogs (11-20 pounds) | 1 teaspoon | 2-3 times per week |
| Medium dogs (21-50 pounds) | 2 teaspoons | 2-3 times per week |
| Large dogs (51–90 pounds) | 1 tablespoon | 2-3 times per week |
| Extra big dogs (91+ pounds) | 2 tablespoons | 2-3 times per week |
How to safely feed sunflower seeds for dogs
If you want to share sunflower seeds with your dog, follow these guidelines for safe feeding:
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Only offer your dog regular sunflower seeds. Raw or roasted sunflower seeds are good as long as they are unsalted and unsalted and not cooked in oil. Do not offer spicy sunflower seeds (or something spicy, for that matter) to your dog.
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Start slowly and look for any reactions.Try to offer one or two sunflower seeds first and monitor your dog for stomach upset. If they do not show any symptoms after a few hours, you can share some more.
When sunflower seeds are prepared, there are some ways you can feed them for your dog:
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Sprinkle with food:Add a small pinch of peeled, unsalted seeds to your dog's food bowl to improve their usual meal.
Can dogs eat sunflower seeds common questions
Can dogs have sunflower butter?
Yes, dogs can have sunflower butter, as long as it is common and free of added sugar, salt or xylitol (a sugar replacement that is toxic to dogs). Stuck to small spoons, but it is still high fat, so moderation is the key.
Are sunflowers toxic to dogs?
No, sunflowers are not toxic to dogs. If your dog is cog on sunflower petals or leaves, it should not cause damage, even if eating large amounts of the plant can lead to mild digestive problems.
Can dogs eat sunflower seeds with shells?
No, dogs should not eat sunflower seeds with shells. The shells are difficult to digest and can be a choking risk in smaller dogs.
Are sunflower seeds toxic to dogs?
Common sunflower seeds are not toxic to dogs but added ingredients can be. Check the ingredient list before giving any sunflower seeds to your dog to make sure there is no added salt or spices.
