Can Dogs Eat Quinoa? Safety, Portions and Preparation

Yes, dogs can eat quinoa as long as it's rinsed, cooked plain and introduced in small amounts.⁶ Quinoa is a healthy, gluten-free option for dogs, and it's one of the ingredients in our Beef & Broccoli recipe*.

Did you know that quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd) is a seed of a plant and not of grass? So, while we refer to quinoa as a grain, it is actually a pseudo-grain that is also gluten-free! Packed with vitamins, minerals and protein, quinoa has become a popular alternative to rice and other grains for people, and it can do the same for dogs.

Can dogs eat quinoa safely?

Dogs can eat quinoa safely when it's prepared plainly and fed as a small part of a complete diet. Nutritionally, it works as a protein-rich whole grain option for dogs that's also high in healthy carbohydrates and fibre.

The one thing to know: quinoa naturally contains saponins, compounds that can irritate the gut. The amount is usually too small to cause problems, but some dogs are more sensitive, and rinsing quinoa before cooking removes most of it.⁶

Is quinoa good for dogs?

Quinoa is good for dogs because it provides complex carbohydrates, fibre, complete protein, antioxidants and several vitamins and minerals. Here's what each one does for your pup.

Complex carbohydrates and fibre

Quinoa is a healthy carbohydrate source because most of its carbohydrates are complex: starch and fibre rather than simple sugars.¹ In general, quinoa contains more complex carbohydrates than many other grains often used in pet foods. The starch provides steady energy, and the fibre feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut. A healthy gut = a healthy pup!

Carbohydrates can be classified as simple or complex carbohydrates. When looking for a healthy carbohydrate source for your dog, look for one with a high level of complex carbohydrates, such as starch and fibre, compared to simple - though this is not to say that there are no benefits to simple carbohydrates as they provide a quick and easy to use energy source for your pups! To learn more about fibres, read our blog post about Dietary Fibre for Your Pets.

A gluten-free grain

Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, which makes it a good carbohydrate for dogs who are sensitive to gluten. Gluten is an umbrella term for a variety of proteins called prolamins that are found in many grain sources (i.e. wheat and barley). These proteins resist digestive enzymes, and in some, but not all, pups the incompletely digested proteins trigger an immune response with allergy-like symptoms.

A gluten-free grain provides a healthy carbohydrate source for dogs who are gluten sensitive, or have intolerances to gluten, or for pet owners who simply want to opt for gluten-free diets for their pups. It can also be beneficial for households with a family member who requires a gluten free diet, risking the chances of cross contamination. 

Complete protein

Quinoa is considered a complete protein because it provides all the essential amino acids. Quinoa is especially high in lysine, methionine, and histidine – amino acids that are often low in other grains such as wheat and rice.^2,5

We usually file quinoa under carbohydrates, but that undersells it: it can count toward both the carbohydrate and the protein in your pup's diet. It's still best paired with other proteins so the diet gets a rich variety of amino acids.

Antioxidants

Quinoa has a high antioxidant capacity because it contains polyphenols and anthocyanins, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds found only in plants.⁴ The health benefits of ingredients with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are numerous, including but not limited to:³

• Reduced cancer risk
• Healthy weight loss
• Prevention for joint pain and osteoarthritis
• Skin and coat quality
• Reducing symptoms of allergies

You can learn more about antioxidants for pets in our guide.

Vitamins and minerals

Unlike many grains, which can be low in certain vitamins and minerals, quinoa is a good source of:

• Folate: A B-vitamin important for red blood cells and cellular growth
• Vitamin E: An essential vitamin that functions as an antioxidant
• Copper: Aids iron absorption and is involved in maintaining healthy blood vessels, red blood cells, nerves, and immune response
• Zinc: Important for the immune system!
• Manganese: Involved in the formation of connective tissue and bones, metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, and for hormones and brain function

How should you prepare quinoa for dogs?

Prepare quinoa for dogs by rinsing it, cooking it plain in water, and letting it cool before serving.⁶

1. Rinse it well before cooking to wash off most of the saponins.
2. Cook it plain in water. Skip salt, garlic and onion, which often go into quinoa recipes for people and are harmful to dogs.
3. Cool it to room temperature, then mix a small amount into your dog's regular meal.
4. Never share quinoa off your plate, since dishes made for people are usually seasoned.

How much quinoa can a dog eat?

A dog can eat a small amount of quinoa as an addition to a complete and balanced diet, not as a replacement for it. Start with a spoonful mixed into a meal and watch how your dog does, because some dogs don't digest quinoa well.⁶

Quinoa also adds calories: 1 cup of cooked quinoa has about 220 calories, 8 g of protein and 5 g of fibre.⁷ Keep portions small so the extra calories don't add up, and ask your veterinary team how many calories your dog needs per day.

Signs quinoa doesn't agree with your dog

Stop feeding quinoa and check with your veterinarian if your dog has:⁶

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

Quinoa vs rice for dogs: which is better?

Quinoa offers more protein, fibre and amino acid variety than white rice, while white rice is the simpler, more easily digested choice for an upset stomach.

For everyday meals, quinoa for dogs adds variety; for loose stools, plain white rice with a lean protein is the classic vet suggestion. You can also compare other carbohydrate sources in our post on whether grains are healthy for dogs.

How does Tom&Sawyer use quinoa in its meals?

We use quinoa in our gently-cooked Beef & Broccoli recipe*, already rinsed, cooked and portioned as part of a complete and balanced meal, so there's nothing to prepare at home. You can read more about the recipe in the benefits of our Beef & Broccoli recipe.

Not sure which recipe fits your dog? Answer a few questions about your pup in our meal quiz, or take the meal quiz now to build a Meal Plan and join the pack at Tom&Sawyer.

Please consult your veterinarian before adding new foods to your dog's diet, especially if your dog has a medical condition.

* Currently available in Canada only

References

1. Case L.P. et al. Canine and Feline Nutrition: A resource for companion animal professionals 3rd ed. May 19, 2010.
2. Dakhili S., et al. 2019. Quinoa protein: Composition, structure and functional properties. Food Chem, 299.
3. Ginter E., Panakova V. 2014. Antioxidants in health and disease. Bratisl Lek Listy, 115(10):603-606
4. Pasko P., et al. 2009. Anthocyanins, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity in amaranth and quinoa seeds and sprouts during their growth. Food Chem, 115(1):994-998.
5. Ruales J., Nair B.M. 1992. Nutritional quality of the protein in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, Willd) seeds. Plant Food Human Nutr, 42:1-11.
6. Ripley, K. (2022, August 19). Can Dogs Eat Quinoa? American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-quinoa/
7. Quinoa, 1 cup cooked. American Diabetes Association Food Hub. https://prod-foodhub.diabetes.org/recipes/quinoa-1-cup-cooked
8. Nutrition facts. Rice, white, long-grain, regular, cooked, 1 cup. University Hospitals. (n.d.). https://www.uhhospitals.org/health-information/health-and-wellness-library/article/nutritionfacts-v1/rice-white-long-grain-regular-cooked-1-cup