Can Dogs Eat Sesame Seeds?

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can dogs eat sesame

Who doesn’t love sesame sprinkled on meat or a bun?

Humans tend to enjoy its delicate flavor, but can dogs eat sesame seeds?

Turns out — they can, though they might not share our enthusiasm for this nutritional powerhouse. To dogs, fresh meat is always better.

This article explains if you should take any special precautions and whether there’s any nutritional benefit to letting your dog eat sesame seeds.

Can Dogs Eat Sesame Seeds?

Yes, dogs can eat sesame seeds with no problem. Sesame seeds are non-toxic to them. It’s also highly unlikely they would eat them in harmful quantities.

That being said, it’s unclear why dogs should eat them. Sesame seeds offer health benefits to humans, but there is no hard evidence dogs can digest them. If you feed sesame seeds to your canine, they will probably just pass through their GI tract.

Is Sesame Good for Dogs?

Sesame seeds have high nutritional value, but your dog probably won’t be able to digest them and use the nutrients.

The seeds have anti-inflammatory properties, i.e. they reduce inflammation in the body. This could alleviate joint pain and contribute to a stronger immune system.

Furthermore, the high fiber content in sesame helps digestion. Fiber is necessary for a regular bowel movement and is one of the main components of a healthy cardiovascular system.

Sesame seeds are also high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The most notable is calcium, which is essential for strong bones and healthy joints. Nutritional benefits of sesame also include B vitamins and iron.

To conclude, there are many health benefits of sesame seeds. But, so far, the literature on canine health doesn’t indicate these are available to dogs. Our furry friends, it would seem, can’t digest them and absorb the nutrients therein.

Are Sesame Seeds Bad for Dogs?

No, sesame seeds are not toxic to dogs. Also, they are too small to get stuck in the GI tract and cause intestinal blockage.

That being said, sesame is pretty high in fat. Consuming too many sesame seeds regularly could contribute to pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis is a painful and severe pancreas inflammation that could last a lifetime. So, it’s best to keep things in moderation.

Too many sesame seeds in one sitting could also cause digestive problems due to high fiber content. If your dog is experiencing an upset stomach, flatulence, diarrhea, or vomiting, maybe they ate too many. These symptoms usually disappear after a day or two.

Different Sesame Products

Sesame seeds can be eaten on their own — but we like them with other products, don’t we?

Let’s look at different types and foods with sesame seeds and see which ones are safe for dogs to eat.

Can Dogs Eat Sesame Seeds?

Yes, dogs can eat regular sesame seeds. There is nothing toxic or particularly harmful in them that would hurt your furry friend.

You should consider whether the seeds are hulled. Hulled variety tends to have more nutrients and fiber but offers no nutritional benefit to dogs. In fact, the extra fiber in them will probably cause digestive issues.

If you’re feeding your dog sesame seeds, they should be unhulled to avoid an upset stomach and similar problems.

Can Dogs Eat Black Sesame Seeds?

Yes, dogs can eat black sesame seeds. Nutritionally speaking, black sesame seeds are pretty much the same as the regular ones.

In other words, these seeds are perfectly safe for your dog, but feed them in moderation and not as a regular treat.

Can Dogs Eat Sesame Oil?

Dogs can eat sesame oil, but they probably shouldn’t. Sesame oil isn’t toxic to dogs, but it could be harmful in the long run.

One health benefit of sesame oil is it’s rich in healthy fatty acids. These acids are essential for a healthy heart, nourished skin, and shiny fur.

But, since the sesame oil is high in fat, regular use leads to weight gain and pancreatitis. There are many better, healthier, more balanced sources than sesame oil that won’t cause painful conditions for your canine.

Can Dogs Eat Sesame Paste or Tahini?

Yes, a sesame paste, also known as tahini, is completely fine for dogs. In fact, some dog owners use it occasionally as a mixer for their picky eaters.

But, you need to be mindful of the amount. Similar to nut butter, tahini is super high in fat. The increased fat intake causes a myriad of problems: weight gain, obesity, diabetes, and pancreatitis.

Furthermore, storebought tahini could contain ingredients that are harmful, if not downright toxic to dogs. Watch out for increased salt, spices like garlic or onion, and artificial sweeteners like xylitol. These could be fatal for your canine.

Can Dogs Eat Sesame Seed Bread?

Yes, dogs can eat a small amount of sesame seed bread. You don’t want to overfeed them, though.

The dough could cause flatulence and other digestive issues. Furthermore, if your dog is allergic to grains in bread, you should avoid feeding it to your dog. While the sesame may be fine, the bread will cause problems.

Can Dogs Eat Sesame Seed Buns?

Yes, dogs can eat sesame seed buns — as far as the sesame seeds are concerned. 

However, remember that commercial hamburger buns are made with many different ingredients. Some of these contain high sugar or fat content. They also might have loads of salt.

All of these are harmful to your dog, but not as harmful if, say, a burger bun contains garlic, onion, or xylitol. These are toxic to dogs and can be lethal.

So, before feeding the sesame seed bun to your dog, make sure to check the ingredients.

Can Dogs Eat Sesame Sticks?

No, dogs should not eat sesame sticks for several reasons.

The sesame portion on the sticks is fine for your canine, but these sticks are usually deep-fried with loads of fat and salt. The increased fat leads to weight gain and pancreatitis, while too much salt can cause salt poisoning.

More importantly, sesame sticks often contain onion and garlic, which are toxic to dogs. Onion and garlic toxicity require immediate veterinary attention.

Can Dogs Eat Sesame Chicken?

Yes, dogs can eat sesame chicken, but you need to be careful. Homemade sesame chicken is a much better option — it’s lower in calories than takeouts, and you control the ingredients.

The main problem with sesame chicken is that it’s super high in calories. Just a few pieces can easily exceed your furry friend’s daily caloric limit. This results in weight gain and obesity, and it could contribute to pancreatitis.

Furthermore, too much salt and spices aren’t exactly good for dogs. Like sesame sticks, this food could contain onion and garlic, which are toxic to dogs and dangerous.

How Much Sesame Seed Can Dogs Eat?

If you plan to feed your dog sesame seeds, start small

Half a teaspoon of sesame seeds is quite enough for a medium-sized dog.

This doesn’t mean you should immediately mix the whole teaspoon into their kibble. Eating sesame seeds might trigger allergic reactions in some dogs, though it’s rare. To prevent that, start with a smaller amount and work your way up from there.

A dog’s diet is supposed to be varied — after all, dogs are omnivores. However, if your dog is already eating sesame seeds, make sure to account for them in their daily calories intake.

Roasted sesame seeds are a good option for canines. They offer similar nutritional benefits, with a little less fat content.

Alternatives to Sesame Seeds

If you’re reluctant to add sesame seeds to your dog’s diet, there are many other options:

  • Apples
  • Broccoli
  • Blueberries
  • Carrots
  • Melons
  • Peanut butter

These won’t negatively affect your dog’s body. Actually, they offer added nutrients and health benefits.

A store-bought peanut butter (or any other nut butter) could contain xylitol — so make sure to check before adding it as a new food.

The Bottom Line

When dogs eat sesame seeds, they probably aren’t getting that many nutrients.

Still, some dog owners want to include them in their dog’s diet — and they can.

Just remember that not all sesame seeds products are equally healthy for your furry friend. Regular sesame seeds alone are the best if fed in moderation and on rare occasions.

Other human foods are much more nutritious and bioavailable than sesame seeds. Want to find out which? What Can Dogs Eat lists common kitchen foods pet owners can safely share with their furry family members.

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AUTHOR
Kim Studdard is a freelance writer for many websites in the pet universe. When she isn't spending time with her family and pets, or saying "Look a dog" everytime she sees one, you'll find her reading a book or traveling the U.S.

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