Can Dogs Eat Edamame Pods and Soybeans: How Much Edamame Is Considered Safe and Benefits

Grabbing a treat and munching on some delish food is no fun done alone, and tossing your dog a few, for any dog-owner out there is almost instinct and instilled in our nature. The dog always enjoys it because they are packed with toys and are almost always excited to try something different other than their normal dog food. Nevertheless, the tummies of dogs aren’t the same as ours and their needs don’t suit our daily needs–making certain food less suitable and unhealthy for dogs in the worst case.

We’re going to look today at one of the most well-known healthy snacks for those who are looking for a diet, it’s edamame. Not only are these little green soybeans delish but they are also filled with many health benefits making it the ideal snack. Before we find out if it’s healthy, let us take a closer look at what edamame actually is.

What is Edamame?

Edamame is one of the many different types of soybeans available, but what distinguishes this little green miracle from others is that you can eat raw without first having to process it. It has recently made huge waves for its various nutritional benefits, particularly in the U.S. as one of the go-to healthy snacks. Among them are the following:

• Protein, the number one nutrient in charge of building your muscles and keeping the body strong no matter what tough challenges you go through.
• Healthy Fat, an important nutrient that ensures your tummy always has a healthy digestion and acts a secondary source of energy to keep you going.
• Fiber, a very versatile nutrient that regulates the body’s digestion and helps in the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
• Vitamin C, one of the most important vitamins that strengthen the immune system to fight against different types of diseases.
• Iron, a nutrient that preserves many of the body’s vital functions to allow it to work normally without any problems.
• Calcium, famously known of course for stronger bones and;
• Carbohydrates, the main energy source the body uses all throughout the day.

The best part of edamame is its healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids and being a complete protein that makes it perfect for those who want to have their diets based on plants. Given the many advantages, edamame provides, however, there are certain aspects that we should always look for as responsible dog owners.

Is Edamame Safe for My Dog to Eat?

Sure, feeding your dog is completely safe and you may find that they are asking for more with just how good this treat can be. In fact, many nutritional benefits it has will also help to keep your pooch in perfect condition and safe. From helping their growth and development to maintaining their coat, making it soft and bright! However, this does come at an important note that all dog-owners should be aware of, with this question.

Can Dogs Eat Edamame?

Sure, they can, but the right answer would be “in moderation” because, given the many good nutritional benefits it offers, dogs don’t need anything in their diet based on plants–and too much edamame can lead to problems. And while people benefit greatly from edamame, the same can not be said for dogs as they may experience the following problems when this soybean is fed too much:

• Diarrhea – feeding your dog too much edamame pods or edamame shells can cause some nasty cases of dog diarrhea. This is because their stomach may not tolerate too much soybean because it is not a necessary part of their diet. In other words, an abundance of edamame can potentially lead to some nasty disasters and after the wet and watery stools of your dog you may find yourself cleaning up soon enough. Furthermore, they might experience some slight tummy trouble even after pooping so do be extra careful.
• Vomiting – In some cases, if you have given too much edamame to your dog, it may cause some vomiting as a result of soybean consumption. The tummy of your dog may not play well or accept this kind of food and may result in some very bad rejection. Despite not very dangerous, vomiting will make quite the mess after which you will have to clean up, and what’s worse is that your pet will surely feel down and out.
• Abdominal Bloating – based on the strength of the dog’s stomach, consuming too many edamame pods or edamame shells may also lead to a bad case of abdominal bloating. And while a big, plump, and fat tummy may look cute, you should be more worried about the effects of abdominal bloating than looking at your adorable dog. At worst, it could stop blood from circulating into your dog’s heart and have a negative effect.
• Salt Poisoning – lastly, one of the worst effects of too much edamame is a dangerous case of salt poisoning to your dog. Although dogs need salt to stay healthy, there’s typically an outrageous amount of salt contained in edamame treats, and if your dog eats too much by accident, you’ll have to attend to them right away. A bad case of salt poisoning or lack of water can cause a lot of pooch problems like nausea, diarrhea, tremors, fever, and even seizures. So, be careful of what you’re feeding your dog.

How Much Edamame is Considered Safe?

For the most part, you can usually get away with feeding your doggo around 5 – 10 edamame beans without much worry. However, there is a quick and short guideline you can follow to ensure that the amount and type of edamame you are feeding your dog is safe and keeps them far from harm:

• First, check a small amount–not all dogs respond to edamame pods and shells the same way, so it’s best to start with a small amount of these soybeans to figure out how much your dog can handle. This will give you a better understanding of how much your dog will take and gradually increase to realize when it is too much already. Not only that but securing this as your first step will completely erase the possible dangers edamame can bring to your dog and help them reap the benefits of this beautiful soybean.
• Go raw–it would be in your best interest to go raw when it comes to feeding your dog in order to make it more appetizing and healthier for them to eat, as to maintain and also get the most out of edamame’s benefits. You can use it as a finishing top to sprinkle onto your dog’s meal to enhance the nutritional benefits they can get from their meal. Furthermore, do make a habit of always recognizing that moderation is key in order to guarantee your doggie’s safety.
• Avoid all the seasoning – in this case, you should stay away from baked edamame snacks because these things are usually filled to the brim with unnecessary seasonings, a lot of salt, and much more which your dog just doesn’t need. You are better off sticking to preparing these snacks yourselves because not only will you be keeping your dog safe but can also monitor the amount of nutrients they get with every meal.
• Frozen treats – finally, one of the best ways for your dog to fully enjoy edamame is to prepare them in beforehand and serve them as delectable frozen treats. With these as your pet treats, you’ll definitely have no trouble showing your dog some fancy new tricks or instructions to follow around. Plus, they’re not only going to get a lot of variety in their snacks, but you can also expect edamame to be a lot healthier.

Benefits of Edamame for Dogs

Overall, edamame is a great whole food that when utilized correctly can have plenty of health benefits for your dog in the long run. Among the numerous benefits, it can bring are the following:

• Helps with cholesterol – if your dog has a lot of bad cholesterol running in their body then this miracle soybean will be a lot of help for them because soy products are great at significantly reducing the amount of bad cholesterol. Furthermore, due to the flurry of awesome nutrients, it has such as increased fiber, healthy fats, and more – it puts your dog at very low risk of heart disease.
• Healthy weight – if your dog is struggling to maintain a healthy weight or has trouble trying to cut the unneeded pounds of fat, then edamame will quickly become their best friend. Since it is filled with dietary fiber, without the calories that cause them to grow big and plump, it will help them feel much fuller for longer periods of time. Heck, they can end up looking much fitter and more competitive prepared for a dog show!
• Full of vitamins – lastly, since it comes with many vitamins and minerals it helps strengthen your dog’s immune system allowing them to fight off illnesses and disease much better. Overall, they improve your dog’s condition and health in ways we can ever imagine.

Summary: Dogs and Edamame Pods

To sum up, edamame is a wonder soybean with plenty of nutritional benefits because it provides plenty of nutrients and vitamins. It’s completely safe for your dog to eat, but you’ll need to be very careful so it doesn’t pose any unnecessary issues. With the right mix of effort and attention to detail, edamame will prove to be the best friend of your dog not only as a delicious treat but also as a healthy snack that will keep them at their peak!

If you want to read more, you can also check out our article on the best high fiber foods for dogs, and learn the many benefits and just what exactly you should be looking for to ensure the best for your pooch!