There are few things more important to pet parents than making sure their furry companions live a long, healthy, and happy life.

It’s so important to make sure that your dog’s diet is rich in all of the vitamins and minerals that help promote their health and well being.

While some dog foods contain the proper amount of animal protein needed for dogs, we often don’t consider the amazing benefits of plant-based protein when it comes to dog food.

The chia seed is an incredible source of omega 3 fatty acids and fiber which help people in a surprising way.

Most people by now have heard of the amazing benefits chia seeds offer, but did you know that chia seeds for dogs provide them with almost all of the extra nutrients they need?

Your dog needs a diet that is just as full of fiber and nutrients as yours is. This helps give you peace of mind knowing that they’re as healthy as a dog can possibly be.

Keep reading to learn all about the incredible benefits chia seeds provide for your dog’s diet.

Can a Dog Eat Chia Seeds?

Not only can they, but a dog absolutely should eat chia seeds every day. They provide an amazing veterinarian recommended superfood nutrition boost to your dog’s diet plan.

Chia seeds are an amazing source of protein, calcium, b-vitamins, phosphorus, manganese, copper, and zinc, all of which are necessary for a dog’s food source.

In addition to those nutrients, chia seeds also contain Omega 3 fatty acids which are essential for helping dogs prevent degenerative bone diseases, which up to 70% of dogs eventually suffer from.

No one wants to think about their dog growing older, but it’s important to keep in mind the things you can do to help keep your dog healthy and active as they age.

The Omega 3 fatty acids in chia seeds help reduce inflammation and joint pain in your pup’s joints and help with bone development and bone maintenance.

In addition, they can help dogs that already suffer from osteoarthritis experience relief by giving them increased mobility. This also helps your older dog by reducing the amount of joint pain they experience.

A super health food, these seeds are rich in fat and fiber content which, in moderation, is incredibly beneficial to overweight dogs.

By adding a small amount to their food every day, chia seeds help in addition to a weight loss regimen by making dogs feel fuller longer. This can help them attain and achieve a healthy body weight.

That can also help them avoid more serious problems, such as hip dysplasia and diabetes, caused by obesity as they age. The healthier and more active your dog is as a young pup, the better off they’ll be when they get older.

What Other Benefits do Chia Seeds Offer Dogs?

These super seeds also help your dog in numerous other ways.

The Omega 3 fatty acids in chia seeds also help your dog’s heart health by reducing blood pressure and strengthening the cells in the heart in the same way fish oil does. However, since many dogs are sensitive to fish products, the fatty acids chia seeds contain are more beneficial as they’re easier for most dogs to digest.

Chia seeds are also an incredible source of omega acids that help improve brain function in a dog by helping to build up the fatty myelin sheath covering their nerves and synapses. This helps speed up electrical impulses from the brain to your dog’s nervous system.

That means your dog will have a better memory and will learn better and faster than they would without the benefit of these fatty acids. You might even be able to teach them some new tricks!

Chia seeds also have more calcium than milk and many vegetables, and they also contain a significant source of phosphorus. These minerals aid in bone development as well as healthy muscle mass which can help prevent issues that are common in larger dogs such as hip dysplasia.

The high plant protein levels present in chia seeds, when used in conjunction with meat proteins, are essential for maintaining a healthy weight in your dog by increasing their muscle mass, which helps to burn fat.

These proteins, combined with the high level of fiber in chia seeds, is what helps your dog feel satiated for longer periods of time. It also gives them an extra reserve of energy for them to play longer and harder with!

The nutrients and fiber contained in chia seeds can also help promote eye development and maintain eye health in some dogs.

Finally, they’re nearly essential for dogs that are diabetic or prediabetic as they help maintain insulin function, and reduce blood sugar levels. The fiber and omega 3 acids, as well as the water absorption properties of chia seeds, help your pet feel full longer which helps your pet stay at a healthy weight.

How Many Chia Seeds Should I Give My Dog?

As with anything new that you add to your dog s diet, you should add in chia seeds slowly to make sure they sit well with your dog.

Although they are non-allergenic, they can still upset some dog’s stomachs, so you should introduce them in small amounts at first.

Dog chia seeds are the same type of chia seeds that humans eat, and you can find them at most grocery stores. Try to look for milled, organic seeds as they’re the best for your dog.

Chia seeds can be added whole to your dog’s food, there’s no need to grind them up.

It’s recommended to start with a 1/4 of a teaspoon for every 10 pounds that your pup weighs. From there you can slowly increase the amount up to 1 teaspoon for small dogs up to 2 teaspoons per day for large dogs.

You’ll also want to make sure that there’s always an ample amount of water available for your pup to drink since chia seeds absorb water and can make dogs extra thirsty.

You can add the chia seeds directly to your dog’s wet food, or soak a teaspoon in broth or water and add it to their dry foods.

Where Did Chia Seeds Come From?

Although when most people hear the word chia they think of a chia pet (all rights reserved), or of an exotic dish in high-class restaurants,

Originally known as Salvia Hispanica chia seeds were first cultivated in Southern Mexico and Central America. They were believed to be a gift from the gods because they were an amazing plant source of protein properties.

It was thought that a man could survive on a meal of chia seeds and water as their only food source because it was known these seeds contained all the nutrients they needed.

They are considered an ancient grain because of their long historical use in many societies.

Are Flax and Chia Seeds OK For Dogs?

They are both provide amazing health benefits to a dog’s body in moderation. In addition to these superfoods, you may want to consider adding pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and hemp seeds to your pet’s menu plan.

While not the only thing you should consider adding to your pet’s diet, they can serve as a bit of an insurance policy against costly veterinarian visits by helping your pup stay in excellent health.

Chia seeds and hemp seeds have a longer shelf life than flax seeds, but all are great sources of fiber, protein, and immune system support.

And, while all of our pets would win the Mr or Miss Congeniality award, the amazing chia seed will also help keep your dog looking and feeling their best by keeping their skin and coat healthy, shiny, and full.

What Seeds Are Bad For Dogs?

Any seeds in pit form should be avoided in your dog diet. This includes peach pits and persimmon pits as they can get lodged in your pet’s digestion train and interfere with nutrient absorption as well as cause more serious problems.

While Flax and Chia seeds are beneficial for your dog, there are reasons you shouldn’t overfeed them to your pet.

Because they are so high in omega 3s, protein, and fiber, these foods tend to be very high in caloric content. They shouldn’t replace a meal for your pet, but the benefits of these seeds contain for your pets body, cells, muscle tissue, and blood sugar regulation can’t be overstated.

Make sure your dog also has a healthy balance of food that provides Omega 6 fatty acids as well to help balance the omega 3s they’ll be getting.

Your next question is probably where can they get these nutrients? These can be attained by giving them pumpkin and sunflower seeds that were mentioned earlier in the article.

No need to search for more posts about these amazing plants, as we’ve covered them from A to Z. If you’d like more interesting posts like this one, sign up for notifications with your email address here.

Resources:

https://www.healthypawspetinsurance.com/blog/2020/03/02/can-dogs-eat-chia-seeds

https://thebark.com/content/super-seeds-add-your-dogs-diet