Farro is a wheat grain that originated from Mesopotamia. It is sold dried and typically cooked in water until soft.
This dish can be eaten plain or as an ingredient in various dishes.
This dish is dense and contains various health benefits such as fibre, iron and protein.
However, is farro safe for dogs to eat?
If you are considering feeding your dog farro, read on to find out more about farro and if it is safe for dogs to consume it.
What is Farro
Farro is known as an ancient grain as they have remained unchanged for centuries.
These grains are less processed and more nutritious than other grains such as white flour and corn.
Some other ancient grains include:
- Quinoa
- Buckwheat
- Millet
- Chia seeds
- Spelt
- Emmer
- Einkorn
Can Dogs Eat Grains?
Overall, farro and other grains should be safe for dogs to consume.
These grains also provide nutrition to your dog’s diet.
While more ancient grains are safe for dogs, you should check with your vet before letting them consume them.
Unless your dog has a grain allergy, grains should not be harmful to your dog.
While dogs can potentially be allergic to grain, it is far less common than an allergy to animal protein.
Although dogs do not need carbohydrates such as farro in their diet, they are still able to digest and make use of them.
It is important that you tailor your dog’s diet to their needs.
Benefits of Farro
As mentioned, farro is high in nutrition.
Some benefits include:
1. High Fibre and Protein
Food that is rich in fibre and protein can keep your dog happy and full for longer.
2. Natural Antioxidants
These antioxidants include omega-3 and omega-6 essential acids.
3. Maintain Blood Sugar Levels
Ancient grains such as farro can benefit dogs that are diabetic, helping them maintain steady blood sugar levels.
4. Soothe Digestive System
If your dog has sensitive stomachs, this can help their tummy by providing them with gut-friendly prebiotics.
Get the Most Out of Grains
There are a few steps you can take to get the most out of these grains.
Steps include soaking the grains for at least 12 hours before cooking to reduce anti-nutrients.
Before feeding these grains to your dog, they should be cooked to increase digestibility.
As there are a variety of grains to choose from, select the type of grain that fits your dog’s needs.
Ancient grains are a great source of nutrients for your dog while gluten-containing grains should be avoided.
When feeding your dog do so in moderation and observe how they react when eating these grains.
Grain Allergies On Dogs
As mentioned, while grain allergies in dogs are low, some are still prone to them.
The most common type of grain allergy is wheat.
So, if you are considering introducing grains into your dog’s diet, be sure to do so moderately and look out for any signs of sensitivity or allergies.
While it is not common for dogs to have grain allergies, there is still a possibility.
Some symptoms of grain allergies in dogs include:
- Itchy skin
- Flaky skin
- Red skin
- Chronic ear infections
- Inflamed paw pads
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Obsessive licking
Grain allergies may also develop after years of eating the same diet, rather than developing immediately.
If you are unsure if your dog has an allergy, you can visit your vet to get an accurate diagnosis.
To know if your dog has a grain allergy, your vet will do a physical exam such as checking for skin irritation.
They will then do blood work to look at their internal organs and a urinalysis if necessary.
If your dog has a grain allergy, removing these grains from their diet can help them recover.
