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Can Dogs Eat Sesame Seeds?

By Stacy Painter
published: April 30, 2020 - updated: December 1, 2021 • 2 min. read
can dogs eat sesame seeds

The quick answer: Yes, sesame seeds are safe for canine consumption, so long as they eat them in moderation.

Key Takeaways

  • Sesame seeds are rich in phosphorous, manganese, calcium, and selenium.
  • Sesame seeds can help dogs with constipation.
  • However, eating too many sesame seeds can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

Widely used in the world of human food (anything from hamburger buns to energy bars may have it), the sesame seed is non-toxic and suitable for a dog to enjoy.

Filled to the brim with phosphorous, manganese, calcium, and selenium, sesame seeds can even be used (in oil form) to soothe dry, cracked paw pads, making freezing winter days less hazardous and miserable for your pet. Despite their usefulness, and though it may be tempting to feed sesame seeds to your pet with every meal, it’s important to use caution with dosage.

Benefits of sesame seeds for dogs

Because of their fiber content, sesame seeds have the ability to ease constipation or help your dog stay regular. The calcium in sesame seeds creates strong bones, while copper lends a hand in the fight against joint pain. Dogs that have trouble absorbing iron into their bodies can also benefit from sesame seeds, no matter what their age. The antioxidants found in many foods, including sesame seeds, have been known to play a significant role in cancer prevention.

Protect your pet

Potential hazards

Sesame seeds, while healthy, aren’t required for your dog to have a full life. Overconsumption can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, or bowel irritation, among other things. In some cases, dogs develop an allergy to these seeds. When you feed them to your pet for the first time, pay attention to their reaction and subsequent behaviors. If you suspect something is wrong, or you’re nervous about giving them seeds, talk to your vet. They will know exactly what to do to keep your dog happy and active without taking risks.

Recipe

If you love to make things for your pet, you can’t go wrong with this tasty recipe.

Tuna and sesame seed dehydrator dog treats recipe from Kol’s Notes

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup dried parsley
  • 1 cup sesame seeds
  • 2 cups of garbanzo bean flour or regular flour
  • 1 egg (or 1 tablespoon flax meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water and allowed to set)
  • 1 6-ounce can of tuna packed in water
  • Food dehydrator

Instructions

  1. Place the egg, tuna water and tuna in a blender. Blend the contents until you achieve smoothness.
  2. Throw in the parsley, flour, and sesame seeds, stirring until it’s mixed well.
  3. Lightly coat your kitchen counter with flour and roll out the dough until it’s ¼ inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, pizza cutter, or knife, create the desired shapes. Unused dough portions can be rolled up and spread out again.
  4. Let the cookies sit in a dehydrator for 6-8 hours until they’re dry enough to snap in half. Store in an airtight bag until it’s time to serve them.

Curious about what is okay and not okay for your dog to eat? Check out our comprehensive guide on what human foods are safe and not safe for dogs

Stacy Painter profile
By Stacy Painter

Stacy has always been an animal lover and has worked in the pet industry and pet insurance specifically for over a decade. As a writer since early childhood, content writing for Healthy Paws pet insurance was a natural career path to combine her two passions. She currently lives in Florida with her boyfriend and Taiwanese rescue dog, Kaya.

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