Can Dogs Eat Chickpeas? | Are Chickpeas Good for Dogs?
Chickpeas are such a common and versatile legume. They can be eaten hot, cold, cooked, roasted, or mashed into hummus—the possibilities are virtually endless! Not only are they versatile, but they’re healthy as well! Originally, they started being cultivated 7,500 years ago and their popularity hasn’t slowed down since. While they’re popular with humans, almost any food you have in the kitchen is likely popular with your dogs. The real question is, can dogs eat chickpeas? Are chickpeas good for dogs?
Can Dogs Eat Chickpeas? / Can Dogs Eat Garbanzo Beans? (The Short Answer)
Yes, dogs can eat chickpeas! Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a healthy option for your pup. Chickpeas are packed with protein, fiber, as well as essential vitamins and minerals! When feeding your dog garbanzo beans, avoid any seasonings or spices as they can be potentially harmful. Only feed chickpeas in small portions as they’re high in fiber and too large of servings may cause some digestive distress. Additionally, avoid using canned garbanzo beans as they usually have a high sodium content which can be detrimental to a dog’s health.
It’s important to remember, that even with the best of intentions, accidents happen and dogs can easily eat things they shouldn’t. Unfortunately, even if those accidents aren’t fatal, they can result in huge, unexpected veterinary expenses. That’s why we recommend all responsible dog owners get a free, online pet insurance quote from Healthy Paws.
Are Chickpeas Good For Dogs? / Are Garbanzo Beans Good for Dogs?
Yes, chickpeas are a healthy option for dogs! In fact, chickpeas are an ingredient in many homemade dog foods. Beans are usually regarded as a healthy option for dogs, and garbanzo beans are no exception! Garbanzo beans are a rich source of protein, fiber, and multiple vitamins and minerals!
Chickpeas have around 41 grams of protein in just one cup! Protein is obviously an important nutrient to for your dog to eat—it helps with repairing and building tissues as well as making enzymes and hormones! The fact that this is a high-protein food makes it a good option as a treat for your dog. Chickpeas also have 35 grams of fiber in one cup! Fiber promotes regular bowel movements, improved colon health, and can even aid in weight management! In the colon, fiber is fermented into fatty acids and these fatty acids help prevent any growth of bad or dangerous bacteria in your dogs gut as well as help the colon recover from injury!
In addition to protein and fiber, another important factor of chickpeas is the vitamins and minerals in them. Vitamins and minerals are generally only needed in small quantities, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less important! In one cup of chickpeas, there are 1750mg of potassium! Potassium is an electrolyte essential for your dog’s overall health. It helps with everything from nerve impulses, brain function, muscle activity, to heart function! Chickpeas are also high in iron, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin B-6! Here’s why these vitamins and minerals are an integral part of your dog’s health:
Iron: The big role that iron plays is oxygen transport on the hemoglobin of red blood cells. Deficient iron levels can indicate anemia.
Magnesium: Known as a cofactor, magnesium is important in allowing hormone secretion and proper function. It also plays a role in maintaining proper electrical balances and maintains the movement of calcium into muscles.
Calcium: Calcium plays an important role in keeping bones and teeth healthy and strong. Not only that, but calcium also helps with blood clotting and muscle contraction!
Vitamin B-6: This small vitamin has a huge role in your dog’s body. It’s important for glucose generation, red blood cell and nervous system function, hormone regulation, immune system response, and gene activation. Without enough vitamin B-6 so many body functions could be compromised.
Are Chickpeas Bad for Dogs? / Are Garbanzo Beans Bad for Dogs?
We’ve already answered the question, “can dogs have chickpeas?” Now, let’s learn about the benefits of feeding your dog this food! Are chickpeas good for dogs?
Chickpeas are generally a healthy option for dogs but there are a few things to be aware of before you let your pup dig in. Not all preparation methods of chickpeas are safe for dogs. They must be cooked plain and it’s best to avoid using canned garbanzo beans that are high in sodium. Cooked chickpeas are the best way to go. Raw chickpeas are hard for humans to digest and just as hard for a dog’s stomach to handle!
Not all chickpea recipes are created equal either. Chickpeas are the main ingredient in hummus. Chickpeas are healthy for dogs, but hummus is not safe for dogs. Just because the main ingredient is dog friendly doesn’t mean all recipes with it are safe as well!
Humans love using spices to make the taste of chickpeas more enjoyable, but dogs should not have added spices. Added spices can cause stomach upset at minimum and more severe adverse reactions are possible. Some spices are even toxic to dogs such as onion powder or garlic powder.
Additionally, canned chickpeas are generally high in sodium which can have detrimental effects on dogs. Dogs need sodium in their diet—it’s an essential part of the electrolyte balance and without sodium the balance would be disrupted. That being said, they don’t need as much as you may think. The average 30 pound dog only requires 100 mg of sodium per day. While this number varies by the size of the dog, it’s significantly lower than the recommended intake of sodium for humans. Humans are recommended to have less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. So the average human can handle nearly 23 times as much sodium as a 30 pound dog! Too much salt can lead to salt poisoning, also known as sodium ion poisoning. If left untreated, this can be deadly. Canned garbanzo beans are generally the easiest kind of chickpeas to find and purchase. If this is your only option and you want to feed them to your dog, search for a low sodium option that also doesn’t have many preservatives. Then drain them and soak them in water for 10-15 minutes to help get some of the remaining sodium out.
Other Varieties & Related Foods:
Is Chickpea Flour Safe For Your Pup?
Yes, dogs can eat chickpea flour! Chickpea flour is an easily digestible protein for dogs. In fact, it’s a common ingredient in many homemade dog biscuits. Chickpea flour is also high in fiber, so don’t give your pup too much at once to avoid any upset stomachs.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Chickpeas?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat canned chickpeas. Canned chickpeas often have high sodium content which can be dangerous for dogs. Dogs require much smaller amounts of sodium than humans, so even a small portion of canned chickpeas could push them over their daily allotment of sodium. If you have a strong preference for the canned option, the safest way to feed them to your dog is by finding the option that has the least sodium and added preservatives. Take the beans and soaking them in water for 10-15 minutes to try to remove as much salt as possible.
Can Dogs Eat Chickpeas Raw?
Dogs should not eat raw chickpeas. It’s better if the chickpeas are cooked because raw chickpeas can be hard for dogs to digest. Dried chickpeas are usually hard and difficult to digest, while canned chickpeas often have a high sodium content. The best option is to take the dried chickpeas, soak them, and then cook them.
Can Dogs Eat Roasted Chickpeas?
It depends. Store-bought roasted chickpeas often have a significant amount of spices and seasonings on them for added flavor. These options are not safe for dogs. If you were to make your own, they could potentially be safe for dogs. You must be careful to not add any dangerous seasonings to them or, better yet, cook them completely plain.
In Conclusion: Can Dogs Have Chickpeas? / Can Dogs Have Garbanzo Beans?
Yes, dogs can have chickpeas! Whether you call them chickpeas or garbanzo beans, this tasty bean is a great option for your pet. They supply high amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. To ensure the best experience, it’s best to buy raw, not canned chickpeas and cook them. Avoid using spices as they can be harmful to dogs and always serve this treat in moderation.
Want to Learn More?
Check out these related articles from our “Read Before You Feed” series for more advice on safe foods for dogs!
Disclaimer: We are not veterinarians and this article should not be taken as medical or veterinary advice. If you have any questions about your pet’s health or dietary needs, please contact your local veterinarian.
