 The Short Answer is: |
Yes, of course! While grain-free diets for dogs are popular today, only highly processed flours that don’t come from whole grains are harmful to your pet. High-quality grain flours, such as those made from wheat and oats, are full of nutrients and are great for your dog. Our treats are always made with the best flour, and we strongly recommend you do the same. |
In this article you will know the answer to the query “Can dogs have flour?“.
Youhave given your dog flour if you have ever given him a Milk Bone or any other baked treat. However even though many people think of flour as something to avoid it can actually be a good source of nutrition for dogs. You must understand that different types of flour have vastly different nutritional profiles ranging from nutrient-rich to completely useless.
In order to answer whether dogs can eat flour in a way that helps you understand what to look for on the ingredients label when you’re out shopping for dog treats lets explore the many flour options available.
CAN DOGS EAT ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR?
The answer is yes as it turns out. There is no problem with dogs eating flour. Puppies treats and dog food products contain flour to act as a binding agent. Some flours however are more nutritious than others due to their higher nutrient content. You will learn about the different types of flours that your dog can and cannot consume in this article. Similarly if you’re wondering what flour to use when making homemade treats this article is for you!
In general all-purpose flour also called plain flour can be used for most types of recipes as its name suggests. This flour is made from a mixture of wheat varieties and has some nutritional value but it does not contain whole grains like other more specific flours.
There are two types of all-purpose flour: bleached and unbleached. The process of bleaching involves the use of chemicals to whiten something. When buying all-purpose flour buy the unbleached kind since bleaching does not improve the quality of the flour for your dog.
Our general recommendation is to keep your dog away from all-purpose flour. Small amounts would not hurt them but it does not have the same nutritional value as other types of flour.
Do grains cause allergies?
There is a myth among pet owners that grains cause allergies. Consequently grain-free dog foods are becoming increasingly popular. There is however some truth to this myth. It is impossible for grains to cause allergies. Allergies to wheat are more likely to be triggered than allergies to grains in general. Therefore flour isnot inherently dangerous for your dog.
Flour for dogs
Dogs are naturally capable of living without flour. You do not need them to live a long happy and healthy life. However if you decide to buy treats for your dog make sure they are made with flour that is high in nutritional value. On the other hand some fur-parents prefer to make their own treats at home. The fact that all the ingredients used are wholesome and provide nutritional value makes them feel secure. Yet you can choose from a variety of flours:
Whole grain flours
The best flour option is to use whole wheat flour. Your dog will receive an abundance of natural nutrients from this food. Dogs however may not benefit from them. There is a possibility that whole grain flour is hard to digest. The best choice for your dog with a sensitive stomach is to choose a non-grain product.
The gluten-free label indicates that the flour contains no gluten-containing grains or is not made from wheat. If your dog has a wheat intolerance these are ideal for them.
Whole-wheat flour
This type of flour is very popular. There is however no need for these treats if your dog suffers from a wheat allergy. There is a protein called gluten in them that can trigger allergies in dogs. Wheat flour contains essential nutrients such as vitamin E copper iron and manganese. As well as being high in fiber and carbohydrates it is also high in protein. If your dog does not have any sensitivities this can be an excellent flour to use.
Brown rice flour (Gluten-free)
Brown rice that has not been shelled is ground into flour. In addition to being high in fiber and calcium it also contains folate. The nutritional value of brown flour is higher than that of white flour which I do not recommend using. If you’re looking for savory dog treat recipes this is a good choice.
Buckwheat (Some consider it gluten-free)
Rather than using the grain itself the whole seed is used. Buckwheat flour contains several vitamins and minerals including iron and B vitamins. There are a lot of essential amino acids in this food that is beneficial for your dog and it is low in gluten. The nutty taste of this flour makes it ideal for both sweet and savory recipes.
It is not necessary for dogs to consume flour and it can cause allergies in many pets. Many dog foods and treats contain flour to help bind ingredients together.
There is no substitute for whole-grain flour; they contain all the nutrients from the grain and are made using the whole grain. There are also healthier alternatives to grain flour such as non-grain flour. White flour on the other hand is highly processed and stripped of most of its nutrients. Other flours (listed below) contain ingredients that are commonly linked to allergies so you should avoid them.
If you can avoid adding flour to your dogs diet or make sure your dog consumes flour on the healthier end of the spectrum.
Whole-Grain Flours for Dogs
- Barley
- Buckwheat
- Millet
- Oat
- Pea
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sorghum
Non-Grain Flours for Dogs
- Almond
- Chickpea
- Coconut
- Hazelnut
- Lentil
- Potato
Flours to Avoid for Dogs
- Soy
- Wheat
- Corn
CAN DOGS EAT WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR?
The answer is yes and thats why we use whole wheat flour exclusively in our Popsicle Mixes as well as in our Baked Biscuit Mixes. A whole grain (like whole wheat) is packed with fiber protein vitamins and minerals that are great for your pup. Additionally whole wheat contains antioxidants.
Its important to make sure you’re giving your dog whole grains so make sure thats what you’re buying in whole wheat flour. There are other flours that contain wheat such as all-purpose flour but they do not contain whole wheat kernel (the endosperm bran and germ) which means they do not provide the same benefits as true whole wheat flour.
CAN DOGS EAT ALMOND FLOUR?
Since almond flour has a high protein content and low carbohydrate content compared to whole wheat flour it can be a great substitute for wheat flour.
The skins of almonds are removed by blanching them in boiling water then the nuts are ground into flour. Having heard that nuts are packed with nutrients you will understand why almond flour is good for dogs – in addition to all the protein it also has fiber vitamin E copper phosphorous and other minerals.
CAN DOGS EAT COCONUT FLOUR?
The pulp of coconut is ground into a fine powder to produce coconut flour. Coconut flour is a great choice for dogs because it is high in both plant proteins and fiber. Besides containing significant amounts of vitamin B6 vitamin C calcium and potassium it is gluten-free which is problematic for some dogs.
CAN DOGS EAT WHITE FLOUR?
Although some of the other flours listed here such as coconut flour and almond flour are fairly self-explanatory white flour is less obvious. White flour is made from wheat but is not made from the entire grain like whole wheat flour. Wheat grains have three parts: the endosperm the germ and the bran. Whole wheat flour is made up of all three parts while white flour is made up of only the endosperm. This results in a loss of nutrients in the grain as well as a need for more processing which further reduces the nutritional value of the grain.
Beyond plain old white flour you can also find bleached flour – bleached flour is worse than white flour. This process simply whitens the white flour by running it through a chemical process which is completely harmful to your dog.
With so many better alternatives available theres no reason to ever choose white flour.
CAN DOGS EAT OAT FLOUR?
The process of making oat flour involves simply grinding oats into a fine powder. Since the flour is made with whole grains as the base it is nutritionally dense gluten-free and low in sugar. Oat flour is packed with antioxidants vitamins and minerals so dogs will enjoy treats made from it.
When you are looking for what kind of flour to use oat flour is a good choice since it retains more moisture than many other types so treats will tend to be moister.
CAN DOGS EAT FLOUR TORTILLAS?
You might be wondering if its okay to feed your pooch that taco while we’re on the topic. Even though you can give your dog a bit of tortilla and it would not hurt the flour used to make tortillas is typically not high quality or nutritionally dense. Keep your tacos to yourself if you want to enjoy them.
SO CAN DOGS EAT FLOUR?
Yes of course! While grain-free diets for dogs are popular today only highly processed flours that do not come from whole grains are harmful to your pet. High-quality grain flours such as those made from wheat and oats are full of nutrients and are great for your dog. Our treats are always made with the best flour and we strongly recommend you do the same.
If you want to avoid grains entirely there are plenty of alternative flours like coconut or almond that are not made with grains but still have many of the same nutritional benefits as whole grain flours. Bakers may have to experiment with substituting non-grain flour into recipes but your dog would not mind even if the treats do not turn out exactly as expected!
For healthy treats made with whole wheat flour check out our Baked Biscuit Starter Kit and our Popsicle Starter Kit!
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
