Sunflower seeds are a great nutty and crunchy summertime snack, aren’t they? These seeds have widely recognized health benefits for humans, but what about dogs? Can dogs eat sunflower seeds, or are these fabulous seeds bad for them?
Can dogs eat sunflower seeds?
Yes, your furry best friend can eat sunflower seeds – as long as you know how to feed those to them. Tasty and healthy, your pup will most likely enjoy them!
What are the health benefits of sunflower seeds?
Sunflower seeds can be a good addition to your dog’s diet, either as a supplement or treat. The effect of these seeds in dogs has been studied, and they are, in fact, packed full of energy and nutritional benefits:
-Improvements to skin and coat
One of the most popular studies on this topic concluded that 1 month of supplementation with sunflower seed in a dog’s diet provides improvement in skin and hair coat. The reason for this is the extraordinary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) concentrations in the seeds.
-Managing cholesterol levels
Sunflower seeds include vitamin E, a natural antioxidant which is great to manage cholesterol levels and decrease the likelihood of heart diseases.
-Managing stress and depression
Recent studies suggest that these seeds can produce a calming effect in dogs with anxiety and depression. Magnesium, B-complex vitamins and tryptophan are responsible for this amazing benefit.
-Helping overall body health
Sunflower seeds are packed with many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which help the metabolic processes and immune system function at their best.
What should I be aware of when offering sunflower seeds to my dog?
Sunflower seeds should be offered pure, peeled and unsalted to your pup.
Also, you need to consider that the amount and frequency should be limited.
These seeds are high in fats… And if a big quantity is ingested, your dog’s digestive system will have a hard time breaking those fats down. Sunflower seed shells are also dangerous for the digestive system, and diarrhea or internal bleeding may result from that.
The reference quantities are: for small dogs 5-15 seeds, and for bigger dogs 25-40 seeds, only once a week. They can either be fed directly to your dog as a treat or mixed into their meal as supplementation.
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