Miso ranks high on the list of favorite fermented foods. Both humans’ and dogs’ digestive systems benefit from fermented meals. Yet, due to the various metabolic processes, some are acceptable for dogs to eat while others might be harmful. So, can dogs eat miso?
For the most part, yes, miso paste is safe for dogs to ingest — but only in small amounts. Although miso paste isn’t generally toxic to dogs, giving your dog too much of it might give them an upset stomach, so you shouldn’t proactively offer it to them.
Before scrolling down this guide, “Can Dogs Have Miso,” check out: Can Dogs Have Garlic Powder? (2023) and Can Dogs Have Sesame Oil? 4 Health Benefits! (2023).
What is Miso?
For those who don’t know, miso is a staple of Japanese cuisine. It is a paste composed of fermented soybeans and various grains, including brown rice and barley, together with the fungus Aspergillus oryzae. Moreover, it has a texture akin to peanut butter and may be consumed either raw or cooked.
Miso comes in primarily three different tastes and color varieties. They come in the colors like red soybean miso, white rice miso, yellow barley miso, and green awase miso (a mix of red and white). A fantastic rule of thumb with miso is that the darker the color, the richer the flavor.
Also, if kept in a freezer, miso may be used for at least a year. In addition to being delicious, it has several advantages for human health. It contains a lot of copper and manganese, two antioxidants. In addition to zinc, it’s a great way to get your daily dose of vitamin C, vitamin K, phosphorus, vitamin B2, fiber, choline, and other essential nutrients.
Can Dogs Eat Miso?
And the answer to the question is yes. Miso paste is edible for dogs, but only in very small amounts. But it might be dangerous to constantly give your dog a lot of miso paste.
Fundamentally, none of the ingredients in miso paste are toxic to dogs. Unfortunately, the finished product is not canine-friendly in big quantities. You should always give your dog a reasonable amount of food, even if it isn’t specifically harmful.
Will My Dog Like Miso?
Foods that have been fermented usually taste sour or acidic. The majority of dogs will consume almost anything. Your dog is likely to eat anything put in the food bowl without a second thought. When they were puppies, dogs would devour anything that was around.
The younger you start introducing fermented food to your dog, the greater the chance it will become used to the flavor. Some dogs are fussy eaters and may not enjoy the taste of fermented foods. These expressions will give you plenty of clues as to how they like the meal.
Dogs can communicate their dislike of something to you in a number of ways. It’s possible your dog will just reject the food and leave it in the dish. Your dog could be moving the food around with their nose while smelling it. Your dog could lick it. They could shake their heads if they don’t like the meal.
The dog may appear terrified due to its avoidance of food. Your dog could pout or shrink away from the feeding area and tuck its tail. Your dog could give you a sad-eyed expression or perhaps flee and hide.
There are indicators of your pet’s health to look for. You should be aware of these indicators of a healthy dog to gauge the state of your pet and assess how effectively you are meeting his or her requirements. Knowing when your dog is well will help you identify when they are ill and get them medical attention.
What Happens if Your Dog Overeats Miso?
Miso paste taken in excess can lead to a variety of health issues in dogs. First of all, your dog can have digestive problems, such as loose stools and vomiting. In more extreme circumstances, it may cause your dog to have major health issues including chronic pancreatitis and salt poisoning.
There’s no need to freak out because the meal is not toxic. Instead, attempt to determine how much miso it ate and whether your dog displayed any discomfort. In case of any severe symptoms, go to the vet.
Why is Miso Paste Harmful to Canines?
In general, dogs may safely consume all the constituents in miso paste. The fact that the final product isn’t safe is intriguing. Miso paste can be harmful to dogs for a variety of reasons. Let’s examine the dangers of feeding miso paste to your dog in more detail.
Stomach Discomfort
Miso paste may cause havoc on the dog’s digestive tract and bring off an episode of stomach trouble, just like all human meals. Depending on how severe the episode, stomach disturbances can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications, while others need veterinarian assistance and trips to the clinic.
Allergies to Grains
You are probably aware of the buzz around grain-free dog meals if you own a dog. But although allergies and sensitivities to grains are not as widespread as once thought, some dogs do still suffer from them.
If a dog has an allergy or sensitivity to grains, then eating anything that contains grains can cause it to vomit and have diarrhea.
Salt Intoxication
The most serious effect of miso paste on dogs is salt toxicity. Potassium chloride is specifically one of the primary constituents of miso paste. Dogs require salt, but they only need a small bit. Miso paste contains a high concentration of salt, which can lead to symptoms of dehydration, renal damage, and poisoning.
Does Miso Have Probiotics?
A short search will lead to a number of probiotic supplement products made especially for animals. Sadly, it’s difficult to predict if these kinds of vitamins may help your dog.
Nevertheless, miso and other fermented foods are a reliable source of probiotics. Moreover, fermented foods have a higher chance of surviving digestion.
Dog-friendly Fermented Foods
The fact that fermented food benefits your dog comes as a surprise. These make a wonderful addition to your pet’s regular diet. Your dog’s intestinal tract may benefit from it and be kept in good shape. So, which fermented foods are suitable for dogs? Our favorites are listed below.
Kefir
Kefir is a delicious, fermented food alternative that is high in probiotics and simple to include in your dog’s diet. The living, active cultures found in kefir nourish the good bacteria in the intestines.
If you buy some kefir grains and let them ferment at home, you can have your very own kefir. Water kefir grains are a fantastic technique to manufacture kefir without dairy while still providing your dog with all the health advantages that kefir has to offer.
Yogurt
Milk products are a dairy lover’s dream. Yogurt has more probiotics and less lactose than kefir. But be careful not to feed them store-bought ones that include flavor or sweetener additives.
Sauerkraut
Pets can eat cabbage without any problems. Get your pet companions their own tiny jar of unflavored probiotic sauerkraut in case you wish to offer them some. All you need is salt and cabbage. After that, rinse off some of the salt before giving it to them.
Pickled Carrots
Carrots are another great food for pets. Slice some simple fermented carrot sticks thinly and rinse off the salt for a crisp snack that’s perfect for munching on the go.
If your dog is reluctant to consume fermented veggies, you can add a little cabbage juice to his meal to increase the probiotic content. Once again, start out small. For example, add a teaspoon of water and a teaspoon of mixed cabbage juice to their meals.
Advice on Feeding Fermented Food to Dogs
Before giving your dog fermented foods, consider this basic advice:
- Not all human meals are suitable for dogs. In case you were thinking of giving your pet some human food, you should think twice.
- There may be issues with newly introduced probiotic foods. To prevent any stomach issues, start with a tiny dose every time. Based on the size of your pet, begin with one to four teaspoons of food.
- Avoid ferments that include sugar like kombucha, Jun, and water kefir. Pets have poor dental hygiene, and the combination of acid and sugar is bad for their teeth.
- Do not give your dog excessive salty ferment. Wash the salty brine off the veggies before giving them any fermented foods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seaweed in miso soup is okay for dogs but avoid salt as much as possible.
On its own, soybean paste is not outright harmful to dogs.
Some dogs can be allergic to soy, but it is otherwise safe to consume.
Conclusion for “Can Dogs Have Miso”
Miso is a great source of natural vitamins — it’s bursting with antioxidants. In small amounts, it can not only make your dog content but also provide certain vital nutrients.
However, it’s best to stay away from frequent and substantial portions. Hence, it’s fair to say that feeding your dog miso won’t harm them.
If you find this guide, “Can Dogs Have Miso” helpful, check out:
- 6 Tips for Choosing a Good Dog Food! (2023)
- 71 Best Dog Names That Start With M! (2023)
- 25 Japanese Dog Commands To Teach Your Dog! (2023)
For more information on dog-safe foods, watch “Human Foods That Are Good For Dogs” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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