- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Sesame seeds are on almost everything. Burger buns, poke bowls, and Chinese takeout only covers a small sliver of the amount of food that may contain these little seeds. They’re fine for human consumption, but can you share a bite of burger or takeout with your dog? Good news, it is ok for dogs to have sesame seeds as they aren’t toxic or particularly harmful to their health. In fact, sesame seeds, like most seeds, are a vitamin powerhouse with a protein punch.
So sesame seeds on a burger bun don’t matter?
A lot of the nutrients in sesame seeds aren’t indigestible by dogs, so they don’t improve on their health. As long as your dog is already eating a well balanced and healthy diet, sesame seeds won’t make a difference. Giving them a treat that happens to have some lingering seeds is fine, although going out of your way to give them as a treat regularly isn’t ideal. At 52 calories per tablespoon, there are plenty of other healthy treats like cantaloupe or spinach you can give your dog that will benefit their health in a more impactful way.
Should I feed my dog sesame seeds?
If you have a reason to add sesame to your dog’s diet, sesame oil seems to be the best bet as a mix in with their food. Again, there are other great foods to give as healthy dog treats, so consulting your vet before purposely feeding your dog sesame is a good idea. Feeding your dog small bits of foods that contain sesame is fine, though care should be taken for high fat or high-calorie foods such as cookies, cakes, bagels, etc.
Can my dog eat other seeds?
According to PetMD, some seeds and nuts noted as safe for pets to consume are chia, hemp, pumpkin, and quinoa. They have nutritional benefits that may enhance your pet’s diet. However, it is critical to know that even those can pose as choking hazards, or obstructions in the digestive tract. Any sort of seed and nut should especially be avoided by dogs with known stomach conditions and pancreatitis. Pay close attention if your pet with those issues ingests seeds or nuts.
Symptoms to look out for:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
What about seed or nut butter?
If it is raw, unsalted, and free of artificial sugars, nut butter is okay for your dog to enjoy. However, like anything else out of a pet’s usual diet, moderation is important to bear in mind. Don’t get carried away watching your dog get peanut butter stuck on the roof of their mouth. Seed and nut butter are very calorically dense treats and should remain simply treats or to aid in medication intake. As a usual rule of thumb, your pet should receive their daily caloric goal with their main meals, not with treats.
For More Information
We have many different articles on which types of food that may or may not be safe for your dog to indulge in. Browse through our directory page with all the “Can My Dog Eat” articles here.
You may also be interested in Can my dog eat seeds and our no-bake peanut butter flax seed bites recipe.