Can Dogs Eat Sesame Seeds?

Sesame seeds are one of the healthiest snacks for us to enjoy because they are very rich in nutrients, including two substances found in fiber groups, sesamin and sesamolin. With these added health benefits, many dog owners question whether it’ll be a useful addition to their dog’s diet and if dogs can eat sesame seeds, sesame oil, or even sesame sticks.

Sesame seeds are rich in copper, which dogs need in their diets to keep various body processes functioning properly. Copper also helps with collagen formation, bone connectivity, and the maturation of red blood cells. So, it would seem that sesame seeds are perfectly safe for dogs, right? Well, the answer is not quite as simple as that.

Below, we will discuss the good and bad health implications from dogs eating sesame seeds and whether you should worry or not if your dog ate some.

Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds For Dogs

There are many benefits to adding sesame seeds to your dog’s diet, as long as it is in moderation. Sesame seeds are known to help fight high cholesterol and allow your dog’s body to better absorb vitamin E.

This is one of the main nutrients that dogs require and it provides antioxidant properties that help prevent and treat various diseases involving the circulatory system.

Since sesame seeds are a natural source of vitamin E, they are also a great additive to your dog’s diet. In addition, sesame seeds can help fix a dog’s lost appetite due to its rich flavor and aroma.

Risks of Sesame Seeds For Dogs

While there are some pretty great health benefits that can come from feeding sesame seeds to your dog, it seems that there may be more risks than benefits. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), sesame seeds are not toxic to dogs. But there are some risks that may make you think twice about giving them to your dog.

You need to carefully weigh the pros and cons before giving this treat to your dog, and decide if the benefits are worth the possible risks.

Digestion

Dogs don’t digest sesame seeds as easily as we do since their bodies are designed to digest meat and plant material. Never give your dog too many seeds of any kind.

Inflamed Pancreas

Sesame seeds can cause too much digestion enzyme production, which causes self-ingestion of the pancreas. This means that the pancreas secretes enzymes into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to abdominal damage, as well as damage to the surrounding tissues.

Obesity

Sesame seeds are high in fat, which is not good for dogs. This is not a treat to give to overweight dogs and it should be limited when given to dogs that are of a normal weight. Obesity can lead to several serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and pancreatitis.

Yes, Dogs Can Eat Sesame Seeds in Moderation

If you occasionally want to give sesame seeds to your dog as a treat, it should be safe, as long as you don’t go overboard. Also, although sesame oil is not toxic to dogs, you should only give it in moderation as dogs aren’t able to digest oils and fats easily, increasing their risk of developing pancreatitis.

In some instances, there are positive effects of adding sesame oil to their diets for your dogs’ skin, which benefits from the fatty oil and linoleic acid that helps with skin regeneration and healing.