Last Updated : November 27, 2022

Can dogs eat sunflower seeds

Sunflowers are one of the cutest flowers present in the world. Not only do the sunflowers look mesmerizing but their seeds are also enriched with a delicious taste. Sunflower seeds are a great source of energy, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. If you are a dog owner, the first thing that pops up in your mind is that if you can feed sunflower seeds to your dog or not.

So, can dogs have sunflower seeds? Is it safe to feed sunflower seeds to your dog? Every dog owner needs the answer to these questions.

Can dogs eat sunflower seeds

In this article, we will explore whether if it is safe to feed sunflower seeds to dogs along with their positive and negative impacts. So let’s dive into the article to know everything related to dogs and sunflower seeds.

Is it safe to feed sunflower seeds to dogs

Is it safe to feed sunflower seeds to dogs

Are sunflower seeds toxic to dogs? No. It is safe to feed sunflower seeds to the dogs. Studies have shown that sunflower seeds have many health benefits for dogs only if you feed them the right way. If you feed sunflower seeds to your dog the wrong way then it can hurt its health as well.

Can dogs eat sunflower seeds

Yes, dogs can eat sunflower seeds and they have many health benefits as well. However, it is important that you feed them sunflower seeds the right way and in the right quantity. It will keep your dog healthy and provide many health benefits.

Benefits of eating sunflower seeds for dogs

Benefits of eating sunflower seeds for dogs

As you have learned if your dog can eat sunflower seeds or not, now it’s time to know about the health benefits of eating sunflower seeds to your dog.

Sunflower seeds are enriched with high-energy nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins, fats, calories, and traces like copper, magnesium, and phosphorus. Following are the benefits of eating sunflower seeds for dogs:

1. Healthy skin & goat

Sunflower seeds contain some vital fatty acids that help maintain the skin and coat of dogs. These fatty acids provide a healthy, fresh, and ever-glowing skin and coat to your dog.

2. Production of healthy cholesterol

The same fatty acids present in sunflower seeds also promote the production of healthy cholesterol and reduce the production of unhealthy cholesterol in the dog’s body. This significantly reduces the risk of hypertension and other heart diseases in dogs.

3. Elimination of harmful radicals

Vitamin E present in sunflower seeds act as an antioxidant and remove the harmful radicals present in the body of your dog. Thus, it maintains the general health of the dog.

4. Reduce stress & depression

Studies have shown that sunflower seeds have a relaxing effect on your dog. This calming effect decreases any stress & depression in your dog and reduces its aggressive behavior.

5. Better general health

Sunflower seeds also ensure smooth working of bones, muscles, brain, and immune system. Thus, sunflower seeds play an important role in maintaining the general health of dogs.

Drawbacks of eating sunflower seeds for dogs

Drawbacks of eating sunflower seeds for dogs

When we say that sunflower seeds have health benefits for your dog, it does not mean that you should start feeding sunflower seeds to your dog all day and night. Feeding an excessive amount of sunflower seeds can lead to several medical problems and some of which are given below:

1. Higher levels of salts in dogs`

 Generally, the sunflower seeds people feed to their dogs are salted. If your dog will consume an excess of these salted seeds, it will have more than the normal amount of salts in its body. It can lead to serious medical problems like frequent urination, vomiting, extreme thirst, hypertension, diarrhea, dehydration, and even death.

2. Digestive disorders

The shells of sunflower seeds can make your dog choke and also accumulate in its digestive tract, causing a blockage, gastrointestinal problems, and other digestive disorders. Therefore, you are advised not only to feed them a calculated amount but also to remove the shells before feeding the seeds to your dog.

3. Excess of oil in the body of dogs

Sunflower seeds are enriched with oils as they are oily products. Therefore, feeding too many sunflower seeds to your dog can deteriorate the smooth working of the digestive system of your dog.

4. Allergic reaction

Some dogs are allergic to sunflower seeds. So feeding an excess of sunflower seeds can trigger an allergic reaction among the dogs.

You can prevent all these side effects by feeding the correct amount of sunflower seeds to your dog.

So what’s the right amount of sunflower seeds you can feed your dog? Let’s find out.

Right quantity of sunflower seeds for dogs

Right quantity of sunflower seeds for dogs

For a small dog, you should feed nothing more than 10-20 seeds per week.

For a large dog, you should feed nothing more than 20-40 seeds per week.

Crossing these limits can lead to severe medical problems.

Conclusion

Dogs can eat sunflower seeds and they are beneficial for them. However, if you feed them sunflower seeds in bulk, there would be more side effects than benefits. So make sure to follow our guidelines and feed them the correct amount of sunflower seeds.

Dogs and sunflower seeds FAQs

  1. Can dogs eat roasted sunflower seeds?

    Yes, dogs can eat roasted sunflower seeds.

    However, roasted sunflower seeds have a fewer amount of nutrients present in them due to excessive heating. You are advised to feed them a limited amount of roasted sunflower seeds because most of the time, the seeds are roasted in oil, and eating an excess of oily food can be hazardous for the health of dogs.

  2. Can dogs eat unsalted sunflower seed?

    Yes! Whenever you are feeding sunflower seeds to your dog, make sure that the sunflower seeds are unsalted. It’s because salted sunflower seeds have a lot of harmful effects on the health of dogs.

  3. Can dogs eat salty sunflower seeds?

    No! You should never feed salty sunflower seeds to your dogs because it’s just too bad for their health.

    Eating salty sunflowers will increase the salt levels in the body of your dog. When your dog will have more salt than it actually needs, it will lead to serious medical problems such as hypertension, vomiting, frequent thirst, diarrhea, dehydration, and death.

    So make sure to keep your dog away from salted sunflower seeds.

  4. Can dogs eat ranched sunflower seeds?

    Yes, dogs can have ranched sunflower seeds as they are generally considered safe for dogs. However, consuming too many ranched sunflower seeds can cause intestinal problems. That’s why you are advised to feed them a controlled amount.

  5. Can dogs eat sunflower seeds shells?

    No! Dogs cannot eat sunflower seeds shells and neither should you feed them to your dog.

    The shells of sunflower seeds are stiff and can make your dog sick. Not only they can cause suffocation but they can also deteriorate the entire digestive system by blocking the digestive tract and causing gastrointestinal disease. So keep the shells of sunflower seeds away from your dog.

  6. Can dogs eat whole sunflower seeds?

    As we have told you that dogs can eat sunflower seeds as they’re beneficial for them.

    However, you must keep in mind that excess of everything is bad. Instead of feeding whole sunflower seeds to your dog, give it a calculated amount because sunflower seeds are oily and consuming too much of them can cause serious medical problems.

  7. Can dogs eat black oil sunflower seeds?

    Black oil sunflower seeds are quite different from stripped seeds because they contain a higher concentration of fats. That’s why we will advise you to offer only a small quantity of black oil sunflower seeds to your dog as an occasional snack or treat. It’s because consuming too much fat content can cause complex medical problems.

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