Can Dogs Eat Edamame? Are Edamame Beans Safe for Dogs? – Answered

It is no secret that most dog food on the market today isn’t made from good things. In fact, cheaper brands of dog food are often made from the leftover scraps that weren’t good for anything else. Although dogs can certainly survive on refuse, they really should not have to do so. With that in mind, a lot of people are looking at alternative foods and snacks for their dogs.

Naturally, you have to be careful what you give your furry friend. Owners love to share their snacks with their dogs. With more and more people switching to veganism, this means that those owners are interested in sharing non-meat snacks with their dogs more often as well.

If you’ve tried Edamame beans, you might have wondered if they might make a tasty treat for your dog. More owners are wondering: how can dogs eat edamame, is edamame good for dogs, and is edamame safe for dogs? The good news is that when it comes to edamame, dogs can enjoy them, albeit not without all of the usual precautions.

With that in mind, dogs and edamame can be friends, provided that you keep an eye on what happens when your dogs eat edamame. Just remember to try a little the first time and keep a very close eye on the dog for a reaction.

Table of Contents

• What Are Edamame Beans?
• The Problems of Dogs and Edamame
  • How much edamame can my dog eat?
  • Can dogs eat edamame noodles?
  • Is it bad to eat the shell of edamame?
• Is Edamame Toxic To Dogs?
  • Are soybeans poisonous to dogs?
• More Info About Edamame For Dogs
• What About Other Snacks, Like Cornbread?
• What About The Possibility of Bad Breath?
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What Are Edamame Beans?

Edamame is a Japanese word for immature soybeans that are still in the pod. They are a traditional delicacy throughout Asia and are commonly found in Asian cuisine. The word Edamame means “stem beans” because they would often be sold in a bunch while attached to the stems (much like a bunch of grapes today). Technically, the Edamame we know are only if they are still in the pod. Otherwise, they are called Mukimame.

By the way, that green pod is not supposed to be eaten.

The Problems of Dogs and Edamame

Can dogs eat Edamame beans? Can dogs eat Edamame shells?

The short answer is yes, but you don’t want to give them too much.

When it comes to dogs, edamame, and other food, the interaction between food and dogs can be complex. While there is special edamame for dogs, edamame can generally be eaten by dogs. There are obvious exceptions, as some dogs have soy sensitivities while others are downright allergic to it.

But if you are asking, “Can my dog eat edamame?” then the answer is usually a positive response.

How much edamame can my dog eat?

Before you ask “Can dogs eat edamame pods?”, the question depends on the individual dog. While edamame is ok for dogs, the usual question following, “Can dogs eat edamame beans?” is how much. When it comes to edamame dog diets usually determine how much edamame is good for an individual dog.

Edamame is a form of soy; specifically, the product from which it is usually derived. The good news is that this means that it has the protein that dogs crave, but there is the problem that it is not quite the protein that they need.

Thus, “can dogs have soybeans?” is not the right question; the question is how much they can have. Edamame should be seen as a special treat for the dog, and not something that it should eat exclusively.

While some believe that dogs can eat a vegan diet if trained correctly on the right foods, the problem is that they need protein from an animal source for the best nutrition; they would require too much plant protein for it to be an efficient source over a long period of time. Thus, edamame should be seen as something special for the dog and something used for bonding, but not for a meat substitute.

Can dogs eat edamame noodles?

“Are edamame good for dogs?” is sort of a bad question. A dog can eat pretty much any form of edamame, including noodles. While asking, “Can dogs eat edamame skin?” is a good question. An owner should ask this before giving their dog any form of edamame, including edamame noodles. The good news is that most dogs can eat edamame, usually without a problem.

“Is edamame bad for dogs?” is not the best question. It is whether or not it is good for a particular dog. If it is good for the dog, then it should have no problem with a form of edamame, with one exception.

Is it bad to eat the shell of edamame?

The question of “are edamemes good for dogs?” does have one definitely “no”: shells. If you ask a vet, “Can dogs eat edamame shells?” the response will not make you happy. T

he problem is that shells not only have no real nutritional value but represent a choking hazard; the risk is more prevalent among puppies than adult dogs, but either can choke from the small shells. As such, while a dog can eat edamame meat they should be kept away from the shells as much as possible. Do that and you can enjoy edamame with your dog while you watch sports or just enjoy a sunrise.

Is Edamame Toxic To Dogs?

As far as we can see, soybeans are not toxic to dogs in any way. In fact, there are quite a few dog foods that contain soy. In many cases, cheaper dog foods will use soybean as a filler with which to pad the product. It’s cheaper than meat by far, so it gives these companies a way to cut corners. However, soy is high in protein and doesn’t seem to pose any danger of poisoning your dog.

However, with all that being said, there are reasons that we do not recommend that you give it to your dog in large amounts. As we can see from looking at this study, dogs are not always able to process all the protein from soybeans. Although dogs naturally eat plant material, their bodies derive protein from meat.

Carbohydrates are also essential for any living creature to get the energy that it needs. It seems that soy-based carbohydrates are a poor dietary source in dogs, and this study would seem to confirm that fact. In fact, they even went so far as to say that soy protein could interfere with the digestion of other foods.

More to the point, there are some dogs that are allergic to soy. If you have never given your dog this stuff before, we would recommend that you give them a very small amount and see what happens. When we say “a very small amount,” we mean one bean and no more for at least 24 hours. If no adverse effects happen, you can assume that it is safe for your dog to eat Edamame.

Are soybeans poisonous to dogs?

When it comes down to it, asking if edamame bad for dogs is a bad question. “Can dogs eat soybeans?” is one an individual owner should ask; soybeans can be poisonous, but it depends on the individual dog. Each dog has its own sensitivities and allergies. Thus you should monitor each dog when it eats soybeans for the first time.

This includes those asking “can dog eat edamame?”; edamame is just one form of it, albeit the simplest form of it. If you are curious and are asking, “Can dogs have edamame skin?” then the response is a resounding “it depends on the dog.”

“Can puppies eat edamame?” is one the individual owner is going to have to ask themselves. Unlike “Can dogs have edamame?”, the problem is that puppies tend to feel the effects of sensitivities and allergies much sharper than adult dogs.

This means that you need to decide if the risk is worth it, but if you do decide to let the puppy try the soybeans, then try a very small amount, possibly just a few beans. The best idea is to wait until the dog is mature. But if others from the same parents show no sensitivity or allergy then it is a good bet that the puppy will have none as well.

More Info About Edamame For Dogs

Although it isn’t a good idea to give large amounts of soy to your dog, there are some definite health benefits as well. As with humans, it is not good for dogs to eat huge amounts of soy, but small amounts are unlikely to cause any serious effect. This particular bean has certain effects on the hormonal system, but only in large quantities. A few of them here and there can be a healthy thing.

This isn’t just rhetoric, as there is some evidence to show that Edamame (and other vegetables) can be good for dogs. For one thing, they are very high in protein. If you think your dog isn’t getting enough protein, soybeans can be a great treat to give them. Dogs need to get a lot of protein in their diet, as they are mostly predatory in the wild.

Apart from the high protein content, soybeans are also very high in omega-3 fatty acids. If you’ve ever heard someone talk about “the good fats,” this is probably one of the ones they meant. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have beneficial effects on the hair, skin, and immune systems of canines. In fact, we don’t even have the time or space to list all the ways in which this stuff is good for dogs. For one example, take this study, which found that supplementation with omega-3 fish oil was helpful for dogs with arthritis.

When preparing Edamame for your dog, you can use a variety of methods. A lot of people just like to eat them raw or steamed, as is traditional in Asia. However, your creativity is the only limit here. The raw soybeans can also be baked, fried, or even ground to a powder and mixed with something else. As for flavoring, Edamame is usually cooked or seasoned with a little bit of salt and nothing else. Asian bars often keep them around as salty snack foods (much like peanuts in the west). Because dogs don’t really care much about this sort of thing, there is no need to season or flavor your dog’s Edamame. If you choose to do so, it is purely a matter of personal preference.

As we said earlier, there can be some hormonal side effects from the soybean plant, and these may not be desirable. Soy contains high levels of isoflavones that are similar to estrogen in their chemical makeup. The emotional effects of this can cause depression and/or behavior problems. This is why we say you should never give your dog too much Edamame at one time. Limit it to an occasional treat, and there should be no issues.

What About Other Snacks, Like Cornbread?

As long as the owner knows the allergies and sensitivities of their dog, there is no reason to fear most foods. Dogs eating cornbread is not a major issue as cornbread itself contains nothing that most dogs need fear. However, this is not without qualifier.

Some dogs are sensitive to some of the ingredients, such as the flour, and individual dogs may suffer anything from mild discomfort to potentially dangerous allergies. Each dog is an individual, and as such, no one can tell until the dog eats a little.

That said, keep in mind that cornbread in and of itself is not one of the best foods for dogs. Cornbread does not really offer the dog any nutritional value. It can actually be bad for the dog due to its high sugar content. This applies double depending on the ingredients added; pepperoni, onions, scallions, garlic, spicy peppers, and even butter and sugar are never good for your dog.

As an owner, you should always be curious what is in the food you are giving the dog and try to avoid foods that may be harmful to the animal. Keep in mind that what is safe for you is not necessarily safe for the dog, and you should do okay.

What About The Possibility of Bad Breath?

One of the possibilities, when a dog eat edamame, is that of bad breath. While edamame is safe for dogs, this is a possibility; when a dog eats anything that does not agree with it, there is always the possibility of bad breath. This is yet another reason to watch when a dog eats edamame; the owner needs to confirm that it is safe for the dog.

While there are other issues that can cause halitosis, soybean products can cause it in some dogs. The good news is that most dogs do not have to fear halitosis caused by eating this soybean product.

Should the dog develop halitosis, however, there are a number of ways of dealing with it as well as preventing it in the first case. To prevent the dog from getting halitosis, make sure that you take good care of their gums and teeth. Also, giving the dog items such as jerky, antlers, or even bully sticks helps to properly maintain them as well.

Should the dog suffer from it, then you need to take the animal to the veterinarian for a good teeth and gum cleaning, and possibly an extraction. The good news is that halitosis is something that dogs do not need to suffer from, nor suffer from it long if they do get it.

Conclusion

When a dog ate edamame for the first time there is no doubt that the owner asked can dogs eat soybean, or can a dog eat edamame. Soybeans for dogs has been a question due to their carnivorous nature. But knowing that edamame and dogs are not a bad combination will no doubt allow some owners to sleep a little more peacefully.

This is a case in which we have a straightforward answer to the question at hand: Yes, Edamame is safe for dogs, but only if you don’t go too far. The only real exceptions are cases in which a dog is allergic to the plant itself. As the Buddhists say, “all things in moderation” is the way to go here.

With edamame good for dogs, this is one good more snack for the animals and one that their owners can enjoy with them while watching movies or sports.

Learn more about what dogs can and can’t eat on our blog:

• Can dogs eat olives
• Why Does My Dog Eat My Underwear

FAQs