Can Dogs Eat Tofu?

Despite the fact that dogs can consume tofu it does contain higher levels of estrogen so you should not feed it to your dog every day.

The good news is that tofu is non-toxic and not harmful to your dog so you can serve your dog some tofu with its meal. Tofu does contain some health benefits as we will see below.

It is very important to feed your dog tofu in small amounts and in moderation especially if this is the first time you have given your dog tofu. Make sure that your dog does not experience any allergic reactions.

Please do not replace your dogs entire diet with tofu. Plant proteins are more difficult for dogs to digest than animal proteins. It is important to feed your dog a variety of other foods in addition to tofu such as vegetables and fruits.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Tofu?

Raw tofu can be enjoyed by dogs in small pieces. Despite tofus bland taste and no smell a dogs nose is quite amazing as it can smell the proteins inside the tofu.

Adding tofu cubes to your dogs existing dry or wet food is a great idea. You can also add tofu to homemade dog food if you make it yourself.

Can Dogs Have Soy?

Yes you can give your dog soy products such as tofu or tempeh in moderation. To ensure your dogs health soy products should not be exclusively given to him. You should give your dog a balanced diet of proteins carbs fats fruits and vegetables.

Both negative and positive effects are associated with soy consumption. You can learn about the health benefits and side effects of this drug by reading on.

Benefits of Tofu for Dogs

Tofu can provide your dog with a wide range of nutritional benefits. The cube or rectangle shape of tofu results from it being pressed from soy curd.

With the addition of vitamins and minerals this soy curd is great for your body and for your dogs. Learn more about the benefits of feeding your dog tofu.

Full of Vitamins and Minerals

Tofu is packed with natural vitamins and minerals as well as some added ones. Here are some of the benefits your dog can receive from eating tofu.

Iron
Copper
Manganese
Calcium
Zinc
Magnesium
High Fiber
Phosphorus
Selenium

Each of these vitamins and minerals contributes to the health of your dog. As well as increasing the growth of your dogs hair they can help keep the bones of your dog healthy and strong.

Additionally some of these minerals help your dogs immune system function by forming red blood cells.

Good Source of Protein

Tofu is also an exceptional source of protein for your dog even if it eats only a little bit.

The protein in a dogs diet is crucial for muscle building and repair as you may already be aware.

Approximately 8 grams of protein can be found in just three ounces of tofu or 85 grams. Dogs that require a little extra protein in their diet can benefit from this.

Liver Health

A dog with liver problems may benefit from eating tofu. When your dog has liver issues they should eat less animal protein you may have already been told by your veterinarian. Tofu can be a simple solution to this problem.

Side Effects of Tofu for Dogs

Everything has its pros and cons. When you feed your dog tofu it can suffer from a few side effects such as:

GMO Crop

Most of the soybean crops grown around the world are genetically modified. Genetically modified organisms are referred to as GMOs. While the crop is growing these modified GMO seeds are sprayed with many pesticides that kill insects.

The organic tofu you and your dog consume will not contain GMO seeds so it is very important that you buy them. Because you would not be ingesting harmful pesticides when you eat non-GMO foods this is better for you.

Bloat

Bloat can be very serious for dogs as it is a very serious health condition. A dog can get a stomach bleed if he eats too fast or eats food high in gas. The stomach can expand as a result of this gas and it can literally flip or twist.

Traditionally tofu is made from soybeans. Having too much gas can make your dog bloat which can be caused by soybeans.

You should take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible if you suspect that your dog has bloat. Bloating is a very serious condition that has caused dogs to die.

Increased Risk of Kidney Stones

Researchers say that tofu can help your dogs kidneys but others warn that too much soy in tofu can lead to kidney stones.

There is a high amount of silicate in tofu. When your dog consumes too much silicate it can develop kidney stones and even get blood in the urine.

Dogs who already have kidney stones or any other kidney problems should stay away from tofu.

Can Dogs Eat Fried Tofu?

Fried foods are not a good choice for feeding your dog. Although fried food might taste great to you it can cause harm to your dog.

Fried foods can cause inflammation in the pancreas which can damage the intestines. It is not a good idea to let your dog have stomach problems or diarrhea is it? Thats not what I meant; you should keep the fried tofu for yourself.

Can Dogs Eat Baked Tofu?

Tofu is safe for dogs if it is plain and does not contain any marinades or spices. To prevent sticking you can coat your tofu with a small amount of olive oil which is dog-safe before cooking it.

Before serving your dog the tofu make sure it has cooled completely. In addition even if you cook the entire block your dog cannot eat more than a few pieces.

Conclusion

The good news is that your dog can eat tofu and it is not toxic. With added minerals vitamins and an excellent source of plant-based protein tofu has a lot of nutritional value.

Unfortunately you should not give your dog too much tofu as it might have some negative side effects. Its also not a good idea to replace your dogs food with tofu. As a special treat you can give your dog tofu occasionally.

Tofu can be eaten by dogs? Did you know? Tell us if you have ever fed your dog tofu raw or cooked.

If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.