Dogs are our beloved companions, and as such, we always strive to provide them with the best possible care. One aspect of their care that many pet owners are interested in is their diet. As the food we give our dogs has a direct impact on their health and well-being, it’s essential to ensure that we provide them with a balanced and nutritious diet.
Farro is a suitable food for dogs as it can provide them with fiber, iron, magnesium, and protein. Dogs are primarily carnivorous animals and require a diet that is high in protein and healthy fats.
Recently, farro has gained popularity as a healthy whole-grain option for humans. However, many pet owners are curious to know whether dogs can also consume farro and benefit from its nutritional value.
In this article, we will explore the question, “Can dogs eat farro?”, and the potential benefits and risks of feeding farro to dogs.
What is Farro?
Farro is a type of heritage wheat grain that is becoming increasingly popular in modern diets due to its high nutritional value. While dogs can technically eat farro, it is not considered a necessary or recommended part of their diet.
Starting here is essential if you’re new to farro. It is an ancient grain in the wheat category that has maintained its genetic structure for several hundred years. This sets it apart from many modern grains, including genetically modified ones and recent wheat cultivars.
Interestingly, farro is believed to have its origin in the Middle East and made its way to Europe. Farro is not a single grain type and refers to three different cultivars: Einkorn (farro piccolo), emmer (farro medio), and spelt (farro grande), which is the most well-known.
Can Dogs Eat Farro?
While farro does contain some protein, it is not a complete source of nutrition for dogs and may not provide all the essential nutrients they need.
Farro can undergo three types of processing before it reaches your plate or your dog’s bowl. Whole grain farro is unaltered and provides the most nutrition, but cooking takes the longest. Semi-pearled farro is partially hulled, and pearled farro is fully hulled. When cooked, farro has a nutty flavor that both dogs and people seem to enjoy. Most importantly, dogs can consume wheat and other grains, so farro shouldn’t be an issue.
However, dogs with wheat or gluten allergies or sensitivities should avoid it since farro does contain gluten. Gluten intolerance in dogs is a real issue that can even lead to small intestinal diseases. You should watch for these symptoms to know if your dog is gluten-sensitive- vomiting, diarrhea and loose stool, gas, rashes, bumps, and inflamed paw pads.
How to Serve Farro to Dogs
When introducing farro to your dog’s diet, it is best to do so gradually in small increments. Starting with a smaller portion allows you to monitor your dog’s reaction to the new food and ensure that it suits them. This approach minimizes any potential harm in case the food doesn’t agree with your dog.
Once you’ve confirmed that it is safe for your dog to eat farro, you can include it in their diet, even on a daily basis. It is optional to soak farro prior to feeding, you can leave it to soak for as long as 12 hours.
Regardless of whether you soak the farro, it is important to give it a rinse to remove the powdery layer. The cooking time for farro depends on the type of processing it has gone under.
- Whole-grain farro takes the maximum time to cook compared to other farro. It can take around 30-40 minutes to cook.
- For semi-pearled farro, the cooking time is typically reduced to around 20-25 minutes.
- Pearled farro takes the least time to cook at just 15-20 minutes.
When cooking for dogs, it is important to note that you should avoid seasoning the farro with salts, oils, or spices.
What Are the Benefits of Feeding Farro to Dogs?
Farro packs a powerful punch when it comes to doggy nutrition. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why this nutritious food will benefit your dog’s health.
- Fiber: Farro is a choke-full of fiber that helps keep your dog’s digestive system running smoothly. Additionally, fiber helps regulate the blood sugar level and promote fullness, which can work great for weight management. If your dog is struggling with obesity or weight issues, including farro in its diet can be an excellent solution.
- Essential minerals: Farro is loaded with iron and magnesium, two minerals crucial for overall health. Iron helps transport oxygen throughout the body while magnesium is essential for everything from muscle function to bone. As dogs age, many develop inflammation in the joints and muscles, farro can help keep these diseases at bay.
- Protein: Farro is a rich source of protein, which your dogs need to function properly. This macronutrient is required for muscle growth, and a protein-deficient diet causes a slow growth rate in dogs. Also, a nursing dog needs protein for milk production, if your dog has just birthed and is nursing puppies, you should consider adding farro to her diet.
- Rich in anti-oxidants: Farro is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids which are rich in antioxidants. These omega fatty acids can help dogs in all stages- puppies, adult to senior, have better immunity and fight free radicals that attacks their immune system.
Conclusion
If you want to give your dog a treat or supplement its diet with something nutritious, it is generally recommended to stick to dog-specific foods and treats that are formulated to meet its nutritional needs.
It is crucial to comprehend that, although some pups can safely ingest farro, others may need to abstain from it depending on their well-being.
While some dogs can safely consume farro, others should avoid it based on their health. Additionally, some dogs may have difficulty digesting grains like farro, which can lead to digestive issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, and bloating.
If you are unsure about what types of foods are safe for your dog to eat, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian for guidance.
Sources
- Wheat gluten intake increases weight gain and adiposity associated with reduced thermogenesis and energy expenditure in an animal model of obesity” published in the Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology: https://janimscitechnol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2049-1891-4-18
- “Evaluation of the Nutritional Adequacy of Wheat Gluten as a Sole Dietary Protein Source in the Dog” published in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jpn.12363
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