Chickpeas are one of the tasty and nutritious legumes consumed by humans.
It improves physiological processes and promotes organ health.
And for a pet parent, you might be asking yourself.
Are chickpeas good for dogs?
Chickpeas are very healthy for dogs to consume. Not only are they a rich source of protein, but they also pack vitamins and minerals that are essential to your dog’s health. But you have to ensure you are feeding your dog the right kind of chickpeas to keep them healthy.
A lot of pet parents are extra cautious when feeding their dog’s human foods.
This is especially true for many legume options like chickpeas.
So if you are wondering if to feed your dog chickpeas or not, you have come to the right place.
What are chickpeas?
Chickpea is a nutritious legume with loads of vitamins and minerals.
It also goes by the names Garbanzo beans, Bengal gram, or Egyptian pea.
In Asian communities, chickpeas are referred to as Chole or Chana and are used to make some of the best masala dishes.
Are garbanzo beans good for dogs?
Garbanzo beans are very nutritious for your pup.
It packs a lot of;
- Proteins
- Fiber
- Healthy Fats
- Sodium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B Complex
- Potassium
Rich source of Proteins
Proteins are vital nutrients for building healthy muscles and promoting organ health.
One cup of garbanzo beans packs about 15 grams of pure protein.
A healthy serving of chickpeas packs enough proteins for the growth and maintenance of cells and muscles.
Also, protein from garbanzo beans helps your dog keep his coat shiny and fur healthy.
Rich source of Fiber
Chickpeas are packed with dietary fibers that promote gut health.
They help resolve common digestive and gastrointestinal issues in dogs.
Feeding your dog chickpeas regularly can help reduce constipation and diarrhea.
Other benefits of chickpeas fiber include;
- Helps in maintaining a healthy weight in dogs
- Garbanzo beans reduce the risk of colon cancer in dogs
- A healthy source of protein for senior dogs
Rich source of healthy fats
Chickpeas contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which have many benefits to your dog.
Healthy fats keep the skin and coat lustrous and attractive.
Other benefits of good fats include;
- Lowering the risk of stroke and heart disease
- Eliminate bad cholesterol in the body by increasing good cholesterol
- Maintains healthy heart rhythms
- Prevents narrowing or hardening of arteries (atherosclerosis)
- Maintain optimal blood pressure
- Fight inflammation
Sodium
Too much sodium is toxic to dogs.
But enough amounts of Sodium (about 0.3%) can help maintain healthy cells in your dog.
Also, sodium promotes the optimal function of muscle and nerve cells.
Chickpeas are one of the ways to ensure your dog is getting the right amounts of sodium to keep him healthy.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a vital nutrient in your dog’s diet.
This vitamin helps keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy.
Also, vitamin A is essential for fetal growth and development, cell function, and immune function.
Vitamin B Complex
Chickpeas packs all the 8 vitamins necessary to maintain body functions.
These vitamins are;
- Thiamine (B1)
- Riboflavin (B2)
- Niacin (Niacin)
- Pantothenic acid (B5)
- Pyridoxine (B6)
- Biotin (B7)
- Folic acid (B9)
- Cobalamin (B12)
All these vitamins work together to promote cell health, boost energy levels, and trigger red blood cell growth.
Other benefits of vitamin B complex include;
- Maintaining a healthy appetite
- Improving digestion
- Improving cardiovascular health
- Maintain muscle tone
- Help in cholesterol and hormone production
- Maintain good eyesight
Potassium
Potassium keeps your dog’s kidney healthy.
It also promotes digestion, heart function, and muscle function.
How many chickpeas should you feed your dog?
While chickpeas are healthy for your dog, too much of them can cause trouble.
Some dogs can develop diarrhea from eating too much garbanzo beans.
Excess chickpeas can cause instant bloating in canines too.
To be safe, only feed your dog chickpeas once or twice a week.
Consider mixing chickpeas with animal proteins or veggies for an all-rounded diet.
Never feed plain chickpeas to a dog, they can make him bloat or diarrhea.
Alternatively, you can grind chickpeas into a special flour known as gram flour.
Gram flour is a great ingredient for making healthy dog treats.
Are chickpeas good for dogs?
Not all chickpeas are good for your dog.
There are three types of chickpeas;
- Dried chickpeas
- Chickpeas and hummus
- Canned chickpeas
Dried chickpeas
Dried chickpeas are the safest option of the three.
They contain no additives making them healthy for your dog to eat.
Dogs can only eat cooked chickpeas as opposed to dried ones.
Soak the chickpeas in water to soften before cooking them for your dog.
❗ Warning
Never serve your dog dried chickpeas. They can choke him or cause indigestion.
Chickpeas and hummus
Some dogs do enjoy the sweet and savory taste of hummus.
But you have to keep your pup away from chickpeas and hummus if it is heavily spiced.
Only let your dog enjoy this delicacy if it is prepared plain with no spices or additives.
Canned chickpeas
Canned chickpeas are not recommended for dogs because they contain artificial preservatives.
Also, processed canned chickpeas have most of their nutritional value ripped away.
Conclusion
Are garbanzo beans good for dogs? As long as they are plain and fed in the recommended amounts.
Mixing chickpeas with animal proteins ensure your dog gets all the vital proteins for his growth and development.
See Also
Frequently Asked Questions
Add a teaspoon of baking soda to chickpeas and bring them to boil. Turn off the stove and let the chickpeas soak in the baking soda for at least 4 hours. This helps reduce gas.
Soaking softens chickpeas and reduces cooking time. Soaked chickpeas are also less likely to break when cooked. Also, soaking helps get rid of some of the gas that causes tummy issues.
Canned chickpeas are suspended in a liquid called aquafaba. It is the liquid that was used to cook the chickpeas before packing. Though it is harmless to humans, it is not healthy for dogs to drink it.
Canned chickpeas are not good for dogs because they may contain artificial additives. Stick to bland chickpeas that have no additives and have most of their nutritional value intact.
