Can dogs eat mustard?

If you have been asking yourself about such a question, then the simple answer to your question is No, Mustard is harmful for dogs.

Also you should never feed your dog mustard seeds as they are toxic for them.

Although dogs are very selective pets when it comes to food, mustard is a tasty substance which has a sweet aroma that dogs cannot resist.

Mustard is a very versatile food product that has potential benefits to humans. Various foodstuffs such as hotdog and sandwich snacks are served using mustard since it adds delicious flavor.

Mustard contains a pleasant and robust taste that is responsible for stimulating the appetite.

And because I’m a mustard lover, my dogs life is often filled with opportunities to try mustard. So as a concerned pet parent, I had to make sure if it’s ok to give him some once in awhile.

So in case you are wondering just how safe is mustard for your canine friend, read below to find out more.

Types of Mustard

There are over 40 varieties of mustard, but the most known are the yellow, black and green mustards.

Mustard Greens is preferably the best product for dogs since it contains phosphorus, potassium, vitamins A, and C, which are necessary nutrients for a dogs health.

Can Dogs Have Mustard? Is Mustard Good Or Bad For Dogs?

Dogs can have yellow mustard but in very small amounts. A lick or two will not cause any serious problems especially if your dog is large and not small breed.

? Giving your dog mustard in small quantities may not have any effect on your dog. However, when you feed your dog with large quantities, your dog may experience some problems such as stomach upsets and diarrhea.

Apparently, understanding the nature and behavior of your dog is very essential when feeding it with mustard so that you can be in a position to tell whether it’s the right substance for your dog.

In order to build and establish a good relationship with your dogs, then giving it recommended meals that are safe for their health can provide an ultimate solution. This will ensure you get maximum services from your dog.

As a dog owner, I know that you must have been going through many challenging situations with your dog, but this should not be a worry for you since such incidences are normal part of life.

ALSO READ: Can Dogs Eat Hummus? Or What About Radishes?

Health Benefits Of Mustard Greens To Your Dog

As stated earlier, dogs can eat mustard but only in small amounts.

However when it comes to mustard greens it’s safe for dogs as long as it’s cooked and not served in the raw form.

Have you ever thought of feeding your dog food substances that contain mustard? It’s beyond doubt that being the best human friend, nearly all dog owners feed their dogs with what they consume.

However, it’s rare to find dogs feeding on plant products such as mustard greens.

If you have been wondering whether dogs can have mustard or not then worry no more since all the vital information that you needed to know about dogs and mustard is discussed here.

To begin with, mustard greens has numerous health benefits which are very essential for the health of your dog. It is an excellent source of proteins, magnesium, vitamin B3, carbohydrate, and phosphorus.

Proteins are a fundamental bodybuilding component that a dog requires to make its muscles and joints stronger.

Carbohydrates are also necessary for giving the dog energy while vitamins build a dogs immunity.

Mustard Greens also has a high fiber content which makes it good for digestion.

Mustard greens helps to lower and maintain standard cholesterol levels in a dogs body.

Although it’s infrequent for dogs to suffer from high cholesterol level, dogs can also suffer hyperlipidemia. This can result in muscle cramps and inflammation of the legs, thereby making a dog sick.

Mustard Greens also contains Vitamin A, which fundamentally crucial for the development of healthy eyes and skin while at the same time protecting them from both internal and external infections.

Giving your dog a recommended amount of mustard greens enhances the detoxification of the liver and blood. This helps in cleansing a dogs body hence attaining a healthy life.

Furthermore, dogs can also be victims of high blood pressure, which can make a dog’s blood vessels and heart to strain and eventually developing to chronic cardiac arrest.

This disease is commonly associated with human beings, but dogs have also been diagnosed with the same condition. Adding mustard to your dog’s food prevents this disease.

The Side Effects of Mustard to Dogs

Although there are many benefits associated with mustard especially mustard greens, it can also result in various unfavorable conditions to dogs when taken in large quantities.

Quantity is a very vital aspect when dealing with mustard since too much of it leads to unexpected effects. 

Your dog could be exhibiting specific unwanted characteristics whenever you give it mustard, and then you begin wondering whether it’s safe or harmful to your dogs health. You only need the right amount of quantity, and all will be well.

? Feeding your dog too much mustard leads to diarrhea and vomiting. It is with this reason that mustard is used to induce vomiting whenever a dog is suspected of having eaten a poisonous substance.

Moreover, it’s not advisable to feed your dogs with raw mustard. Dogs are not capable of sufficiently digesting plants cell walls once they swallow them. As a result, a dogs thyroid system might get suppressed, thereby triggering vomiting, diarrhea, and general body discomfort.

How Do You Serve Mustard Greens To Your Dog?

First I should mention that mustard greens do not have to form regular part of your dog’s daily diet because too much of it will cause more harm than good. It’s only recommended to give them once in awhile and remember in small amounts.

It’s advisable to steam up green mustard until they become tender before feeding your dogs since steaming helps in breaking down undesirable mustard compound.

Additionally, using food processor you can also puree mustard greens with other food products to make it more digestible for your dog.

Note: it’s not recommended to feed your dog mustard greens in the raw form, that’s because dogs don’t chew their food like humans and therefore don’t break the cell walls of the plant prior to swallowing which can suppress their thyroid function.

Green Leafy Mustard Vs. Mustard Seeds

While feeding your dogs with prepared leafy mustard is safe, its also useful to understand that mustard seeds are not safe for consumption.

Letting your dog ingest them can have instant effects like vomiting and diarrhea. When such consequences are prolonged, the dog will lose a lot of water and nutrients, thereby becoming weak.

Although feeding your dogs with sandwiched mustard snacks or steamed greens looks healthy and safe, it’s advisable to limit the quantity of mustard products that you give to your dogs.

This because mustard is not part of a dogs natural diet. Understandably, introducing something new into a body triggers a series of reactions that work against it and which will lead to digestive problems including vomiting and diarrhea.

ALSO READ: Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate? Safe or Not?

My Dog Ate Mustard Seeds What Should I do?

As we have already mentioned mustard seeds are not safe at all for your dog.

Just in case your dog accidentally eats mustard seeds, the first thing to do is to not panic as long as the quantity is very small.

You need to be keen and observe if you will notice any signs of mustard toxicity like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and stomach upset.

If these signs show more than a few hours please contact your vet immediately as prolonged vomiting can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and even lead to death.

? Also in case you think your dog ingested the seeds in larger amount please don’t wait and contact your dog’s veterinarian right away to avoid any further complications.

What Are the Symptoms of Mustard Toxicity?

The side effects of mustard in a dog can be identified depending on the amount of mustard that has been consumed.

The most common toxicity symptoms of mustard include diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach upset.

Although many people believe that feeding dogs with mustard is right, its defects should not be overlooked because they are pretty dangerous.

? Therefore, dogs can eat mustard in very small quantities. However, it’s better to stop giving your dog this product whenever you notice any strange behavior.

Conclusion

So, can dogs eat mustard? the answer is no, however there is no need to panic if your dog accidentally eats mustard as long as it in very small amounts.

Never feed your dog mustard seeds and powder as they are very toxic and harmful to dogs .

When it comes to mustard greens they are safe for dogs as long as they are cooked and not provided in the raw form.