Hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, and many fast foods go hand in hand with popular condiment mustard. Your dog must have licked some of this condiment while you were busy enjoying a hamburger or a hot dog. You are probably here because you questioned yourself whether eating mustard is safe for dogs or not? Can it make my dog sick? Does it pose any health issues? What about mustard plants?
There is no short answer to these questions. So let’s go through the complete guide.
Can Dogs Eat Mustard Greens?
Mustard greens are perfectly safe for dogs. They are healthy. Dogs also benefit from the nutrients they provide, just like humans. They are low in calories and make a great diet food for your pup. Feed your dog mustard greens in a small amount only, as a large amount can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and symptoms of gut inflammation.
Raw Mustard Greens
Along with other nutrients, mustard greens are rich in fibers too. Fibers are important for dogs as they help resolve digestive problems, but too much of these fibers are not good for dogs. When ingested in large amounts, it causes fiber imbalance leading to diarrhea, nausea (sometimes vomiting), and loose stools. Hence, don’t let a dog eat mustard greens raw.
Cooked Mustard Greens
Cooking can make the leafy greens soft and digestible. It also reduces some of the fiber content, making it safe for dog consumption. The best form is the steamed mustard greens. Not only do they taste good but are also easy to make. Steaming these greens only takes 3 minutes.
There are other ways to serve mustard greens as well, such as using it as a dressing of dog food. Whatever way you opt for serving these greens to your dog, don’t add vegetables like onion and garlic and spices that are toxic to dogs, such as oregano, nutmeg, thyme, hops, etc.
Benefits of Mustard Greens
Mustard greens provide a lot of health benefits. Some are listed below:
- They are rich in strong antioxidants that make the body free of harmful free radicals reducing oxidative stress and saving the body from many cancers, mainly of the stomach, lungs, and ovaries.
- The same compounds boost their immune system.
- They provide a large number of vitamins, including Vitamin A, B6, C, E, and K. All these vitamins are listed among the essential vitamins required for the dog’s health.
- Flavanoids and beta carotene strengthen the heart muscles, keeping them in a good shape.
- Vitamin A is a great source of lutein and zeaxanthin; all the compounds are necessary to improve vision.
Can Dogs Eat Mustard Seeds?
No, It is not advisable to feed your dog mustard seeds. However, even if your dog has chewed a few mustard seeds, you should bring him to the vet as soon as possible. Actually, the mustard seeds contain toxic compounds like isothiocyanate, which makes them unsafe for dogs. This compound is toxic to dogs and can irritate the respiratory tract and edema. Dogs can also experience intestinal tract inflammation when they ingest mustard seeds.
The same compound present in mustard seeds makes broccoli unsafe for dogs in large amounts.
Can Dogs Eat Wild Mustard?
Wild mustard, also called charlock mustard or field mustard, is harmful to a dog’s health. Studies have shown that this plant contains compounds like isothiocyanate and goitrogens, both of which do not make charlock mustard safe for consumption by dogs. In addition, isothiocyanate causes digestive issues, whereas goitrogens are known to disturb the normal function of the thyroid gland. Therefore, both the greens and the seeds should be kept away from your dog’s approach.
Can Dogs Eat Mustard as a Condiment?
Mustard seed is the main ingredient of most mustard condiments, so a dog should never be permitted of it. But, first, let’s look at the edibility of the most popular ones.
Yellow Mustard
Yellow mustard is made from ground mustard seeds, vinegar, lemon juice, and seasonings like salt, turmeric, paprika, and garlic powder. Vinegar is not safe for small dogs or dogs with sensitive stomachs and kidney problems. Paprika and garlic make yellow mustard bad for dogs as paprika is associated with gastrointestinal upset and garlic powder contains thiosulfate, which is toxic. Salts and turmeric are okay when added to pet food in small quantities only. Too much turmeric cause stomach pains and constipation. Similarly, too much salt can cause poisoning in them.
Brown Mustard
High concentrations of brown mustard seeds are what give a brown color to its texture. However, if a dog eats brown mustard, it is likely to experience health problems. It is because of the ingredients used in it. Although vinegar, spices, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder are all used in the brown mustard paste, none of these ingredients is safe for consumption by dogs.
Honey Mustard
Don’t let dogs eat honey mustard as it is not safe for them. It is high in sugars and poses a risk of diabetes and tooth decay. The store-bought ones have added sugars that make it worse for dogs.
Whole Grain Mustard
Whole grain mustard is stronger than yellow mustard and has visible seeds in it. Don’t even take it near your dog.
There are other varieties of mustard, too, such as dijon mustard, French mustard, Chinese hot mustard, horseradish mustard. All of these should not be eaten by your pet. A dog can lick a tiny bit and have no adverse reactions. But if a dog eats mustard in large amounts, he can suffer other complications besides diarrhea and vomiting. So visit a vet as soon as you suspect the dog ate mustard condiments.
Can Dogs Have Mustard Oil?
No, dogs shouldn’t have mustard oil. Mustard oil contains erucic acid, and its consumption can lead to erucic acid toxicity in dogs. We also recommend not to massage your dog’s skin with mustard oil, as there’s a probability of your dog licking his own skin, and he may end up ingesting the oil by chance.
Can Dogs Eat Mustard Powder?
Mustard powder is a big NO for dogs as it can induce vomiting in most dogs. In addition, a dog might snort the powder and develop irritation in the airway.
Conclusion
Dogs cannot have mustard in any form except the mustard greens that are safe and healthy. Make sure the mustard is steamed and is fed in small amounts only. If you love dogs, it is best to keep track of the foods that can harm them.
The downsides of feeding dogs mustard and their symptoms mentioned in the article are for informational purposes only. In case of emergence of these symptoms, take the pet to a veterinarian and don’t try to self-medicate him.
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