Can Dogs Eat Hummus?

Can dogs eat hummus? As pet parents, we want to share everything with our furry best friends. However, sharing too many of our favorite snacks could cause our dogs digestive health problems. We must be careful when choosing what to share with our pets which leads us to question, can dogs eat hummus? The answer is no.

Is Hummus Bad for Dogs?

Hummus contains chickpeas and other ingredients that make hummus harmful to dogs, such as certain seasonings, spices, and lemon juice. Hummus is also high in oil which is hard on a dog’s digestive system. Ingredients like garlic are particularly toxic for canines and can cause irreversible harm.

What Is Hummus?

Hummus is a high-protein dip or spread that many enjoy for a satisfying snack. It is considered healthy for humans, so some pet owners may be tempted to share it with their dogs.

The traditional version of the dip/spread consists of chickpeas, olive oil, garlic, and sesame paste. It is mainly the garlic and the olive oil that cause dog issues.

How Are the Ingredients Toxic for Dogs?

Can dogs eat hummus? There are several ingredients in hummus that are toxic for dogs. Below is a breakdown of the harmful or dangerous ingredients and how they could potentially affect a dog that has consumed hummus or the ingredient by itself.

Lemon Juice – Can Dogs Eat Hummus?

Lemon juice contains citric acid, which can be hard on a dog’s stomach and cause discomfort, diarrhea, and vomiting. According to Marc Aaron over at doggysaurus.com, lemons contain psoralen compounds and oils that are a big no for dogs because they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort.

Olive Oil – Can Dogs Eat Hummus?

While olive oil is not considered strictly toxic, too much oil can be hard on a dog’s digestive system. Hummus contains quite a bit of oil, resulting in an upset stomach or diarrhea for your beloved furry friend.

Garlic – Can Dogs Eat Hummus?

Garlic in any form is not a good idea for our furry friends. While delicious to humans, it is a majorly toxic ingredient to dogs. Garlic contains thiosulfate, which can damage a dog’s red blood cells. Damage to a dog’s red blood cells can lead to a condition called hemolytic anemia.

Signs Your Dog May Have Hemolytic Anemia

If you are reading this and thinking, “oh my God, I give this treat with garlic all the time to my dog,” do not despair. Instead, think about these potential symptoms to determine whether your dog may be having an issue:

• if your dog has uncharacteristically rapid breathing
• if their mucous membranes are lighter than usual
• if they are expelling dark-colored urine, noticeable weakness, lethargic behavior, and jaundice.

Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and would be particularly noticeable around your dog’s eyes.

What to do if your Dog Eats Hummus

Can dogs eat hummus? If your dog eats a small amount of hummus, it does not necessarily mean it will instantly get sick. Still, you want to keep an eye on them in the meantime to see if they are experiencing any discomfort or obvious stomach upset.

Be particularly careful if you have a small dog, as their digestive systems would likely show distress sooner because of their size. If your dog begins vomiting or has diarrhea for a prolonged time, then it is time to take them to a vet to be on the safe side.

Are Chickpeas Safe for Dogs?

The main component of hummus is mashed chickpeas. Mashed chickpeas, by themselves, may be acceptable for your dog to eat in very small quantities and not too often. However, remember that chickpeas may still contain too much oil for your dog’s digestive system to handle.

According to Mathew Barnham from m-dog.org, chickpeas could be an excellent nutritional source for dogs if given in moderation. Barnham expounds that chickpeas are a great source of fiber protein and contain magnesium, potassium, and folate- good for dogs and humans.

Can Dogs Safely Eat Hummus?

As a general rule, you should avoid giving hummus to your dog, especially if your dog is small. A tiny amount consumed will probably not hurt your dog, but it also depends on how sensitive your dog’s stomach tends to be.

Either way, your dog should be carefully monitored if they have ingested hummus or anything with garlic in it, for that matter. Examining your dog’s attitude and level of comfort is always essential when allowing them to try new foods.