Dogs can eat edamame, but it depends on how they are prepared. Edamame is the immature seeds of soybeans that are boiled and eaten as a vegetable or inserted into dishes like sushi.
ADVICE: Feeding dogs edamame in any capacity is not recommended unless you know for sure how it was prepared. Uncooked edamame may contain bacteria that, when ingested by your dog, could cause an upset stomach or food poisoning.
If you want to feed your pooch edamame, make sure it’s cooked first. The USDA lists six different types of harmful bacteria that can harm both humans and animals alike if consumed unprocessed. All six can be killed off during cooking Cooking also ensures that any protein present in the edamame is also available for your dog to digest.
We at Dog Health Guide recommend feeding your dog cooked or commercially prepared edamame, which you can find at any pet supply store. If you’re not sure about how it’s made, don’t feed it to your pooch until further notice.
DISCUSSION
Edamame is a green vegetable consisting of pods and immature seeds taken from the soy plant. Soy plants are widely cultivated for human consumption as food, such as tofu-based meat substitutes, soymilk, and textured vegetable protein. However, dogs should not be fed edamame due to several reasons that include preparation procedures and the presence of potentially harmful bacteria in uncooked edamame.
It’s important to note that dogs have a shorter digestive tract than humans do which is why some vegetables can cause them gastrointestinal upset while having a little negative effect on their owners. This includes beans like kidney beans, pinto beans, or navy beans which can be difficult to digest in large quantities by your dog.
Additionally, soybeans are considered a common allergen for dogs. Soy allergies affect up to 50% of the canine population and cause skin irritation or gastrointestinal problems when consumed by your dog.
This is one reason why you should never feed them raw edamame without first being cooked as raw beans can contain harmful bacteria called Bacillus subtilis which may not go away during normal processing procedures to heat up the edamame. These spores can survive boiling or microwaving temperatures which is why it’s important that any preparation take place before feeding it to your dog.
Another reason not to feed your pooch uncooked edamame is that their digestive enzymes cannot break down (or digest) legumes like soybeans. Just like humans, dogs require specific enzymes in the digestive tract to be able to break down different compounds. Without this necessary enzyme, your dog is unable to digest beans or soybeans which can lead to gastrointestinal upset and discomfort.
In summary, edamame contains a lot of nutrients that help promote a healthier life with plenty of antioxidants and phytonutrients. However, there are several dangers when it comes to feeding edamame to your dog that includes protein denaturation, the potential for harmful bacteria in uncooked beans, and the inability of the canine body to properly break down legumes like soybeans.
This is why we recommend you feed commercially prepared edamame instead of trying out the recipe below:
What happens when a dog eats edamame?
If your dog were to eat some cooked or commercially bought and prepared edamame, he would probably be just fine. If the edamame was not properly cooked before serving it, then there is a chance of food poisoning.
How much edamame can my dog eat?
As with most foods, moderation is important when feeding edamame to your dog. This includes making sure that the edamame you serve him is cooked thoroughly before serving it. Steer clear of giving any unprocessed or raw beans to avoid gastrointestinal distress. A few processed soybeans are okay here and there but they should still be fully cooked before giving them to your pooch.
As a general rule of thumb, you should not feed dogs under 1 year old any type of soy product.
Are soybeans poisonous to dogs?
There is no evidence that soybeans are poisonous to dogs. It will not harm your dog if he eats a few edamame beans here and there as long as they’re cooked. However, it’s best to stay away from feeding any unprocessed or raw soybeans just in case of any preparation issues with the beans themselves or the potential for harmful bacteria to be present.
Is it bad to eat the shell of edamame?
Like other legumes, dogs have a harder time digesting soybeans and edamame due to the presence of anti-nutrients that block the absorption of nutrients in these beans. This is why it’s important to always cook this vegetable thoroughly before serving it to your dog. There are several ways you can prepare cooked edamame for your dog such as adding it into their regular meal or throwing them into a food dish.
How do you cook edamame?
You can boil the edamame in water, brown rice, and your choice of seasonings for 15 minutes to make a great tasting side dish for your pooch. You can also add cooked edamame to a regular meal by using your food dishes. Just make sure that the beans are thoroughly cooked and there aren’t any raw soybeans present.
What is the serving size for edamame?
As with most other vegetables, you can give your dog as much cooked or prepared edamame as you like but be mindful of how much soy protein you are feeding him. If you give your dog too much soy protein, then it can cause serious side effects that include unfavorable digestive issues.