Hummus? Yum! The thick delicious dip that has been an all-time Middle Eastern classic, is now becoming to be an American favourite. The rich, creamy flavour with its healthy ingredients makes it a superfood! Speaking of the ingredients in hummus, they are rich in fibre, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins are sure to help in weight loss and maintain a healthy diet.
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We’re sure your dog loves to stare at you with their puppy dog eyes when you’re gobbling on your snacks, hoping you’d share a tiny bite of it with them. While you may have seen a lot of videos over social media channels of notorious dogs attempting to eat a spoonful of hummus or even a slice of pizza, have you ever wondered whether it would be wise to let your dog have some of those snacks?
Even though hummus may contain lots of healthy ingredients for us – humans, unfortunately, those same ingredients are toxic for dogs! Here are a few reasons why.
Hummus is Toxic for Your Dog!
Hummus is derived from the Arabic word “chickpeas.” However, chickpeas are very healthy for you as well as your dog. Meaning, you may still feed your dog chickpeas if you want to, but the superfood hummus does not only contain chickpeas, it also has olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt to enrich its flavour, making it complicated for your dog.
The ingredient that makes hummus a really bad choice for your dog is garlic! Garlic is poisonous and toxic and blending with all the other ingredients, it will end up damaging your dog’s red blood cells. Usually, it’s very hard to determine the amount of garlic you would want in hummus. Some of us like it a bit too much, while others like the flavour of it very mild.
Next harmful ingredient in your hummus is lemon juice. The citric acid in the lemon juice may result in severe stomach pain. Your dog’s stomach is very sensitive and their abdomen is not as tolerant as a human’s (poor thing!). Hence, avoid any type of acidic food for your dog.
Help! My dog Accidentally Consumed Hummus!
If you have left a platter full of hummus on the table, but your curious naughty friend had slurped some of it off, don’t panic. That’s completely alright! A small portion will not bring about many side effects on your furry friend’s stomach, but a little too much might create problems. It’s all about the quantity that your dog may have consumed.
But if you notice your dog vomiting, drooling, nauseating or having continual pain in the abdomen after consuming the hummus, it is time you should go and consult your vet ASAP. Keep a close eye on your furry friend for such symptoms.
Even if your dog may have consumed hummus and is doing completely fine, there is still a possibility that long-term damage has been done. Your dog might not have immediate symptoms after consuming hummus. The symptoms of toxicity may still manifest and months or years later may come back as a form or organ damage.
Plus, if you’re not sure which of the human snacks are safe for your dog, it is better to avoid going down that lane completely. There are many healthy, balanced diet foods available with safe treats in control such as chicken, carrots, salmon, etc. something your dog will surely benefit from.
Ok, How about Hummus Without Garlic and Lemon Juice?
Typically, when you make hummus, it does contain garlic and lemon juice for the ideal taste and flavor. But as we’ve mentioned earlier, hummus is made of mashed chickpeas, which is considered healthy for your dog. You may still consider giving hummus to your dog, making sure it does NOT have any harmful or toxic ingredients. In other words, a little bit of plain hummus will not affect your furry friend.
How do I Make Hummus for my Dog?
Hummus without garlic, lemon juice, salt and any other acidic ingredients are safe for your dog, but may not be palatable to us. We’ve conducted extensive research and found an alternative ingredient in place of garlic, which is roasted beets! Now your dog can also enjoy an extra flavor.
Do bear that in mind that excessive amount might develop gas in your furry friend’s stomach. Stomach gas in dogs usually creates discomfort resulting in bloating, causing the abdomen to swell.
We believe the recipe of hummus without garlic below will help you prepare the dog-friendly hummus. Follow these simple steps and save a lot of your time providing the best for your dog. Here’s the safest way you could make hummus for your dog:
Step 1: Combine all the following ingredients in a blender
- 1 whole can of chickpeas; preserve some of the juice
- 4 tablespoons of tahini
- 1 tablespoon of cumin powder
- A pinch of paprika
- ½ tablespoon of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of cold water
Step 2: Blend it to your desired consistency and there you have it, your dog-friendly hummus. You may store this hummus in your refrigerator for a week or so, but preferably not much longer.
What are the Best Alternatives for Chickpeas for my Dog?
Other than the primary ingredients in hummus, chickpeas are very healthy for your dog. There are various nutritional qualities of chickpeas that are beneficial for your canine’s friend. Most importantly, cheap and convenient are two best advantages of chickpeas providing a good amount of protein for your dog! Moreover, the high fibre content of the beans combats constipation in dogs making them beneficial for your dog’s digestive system.
Potassium, lecithin and vitamins A, B & C stored in chickpeas are undoubtedly valuable nutrients for your dog, stimulating your dog’s memory and learning capabilities. Besides, vitamins are essential for your dog’s proper metabolism, while potassium is necessary for healthy heart, kidneys and digestive system.
Your homemade hummus without salt, garlic and lemon juice makes it a safer version for your dogs to supplement them with chickpeas. Additionally, you may cook chickpeas, mash them and feed them to your dog. A fancier version of that would be if you dip on carrot sticks or add it to your dog’s regular food for a protein boost.
Bottom Line
While hummus might be your favourite snack since you find it so yummy and beneficial for yourself, but it’s never safe to share YOUR hummus with your dog. Go for the safer version for your beloved dogs. If you’re going such a long way to satiate your fur buddy’s hummus craving, better make it safe! Refrain yourself from sharing garlicky or acidic snacks with your dog, which might cost you something as precious as your doggo’s life.
Well, to conclude, just make sure to recheck the ingredients that you use to make your dog’s food. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, hence, you can enjoy your hummus the way you want it to, giving the dog-friendly one to your furry friend. As long as there isn’t any garlic in it, it is absolutely safe. To be on the safer side, have them taste a little of it first and observe them. Every dog is unique and yours might develop a fatal allergic reaction if you don’t look out!
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