Safe for Dogs
Medium dog serving: 2 tablespoons
Can Dogs Eat Amaranth? Yes — Complete Protein Ancient Grain, Always Cook
This food is generally safe for dogs when prepared properly.
Plain cooked amaranth is safe for dogs and extremely nutritious. Like quinoa it is a complete protein source with all essential amino acids. Gluten-free and suitable for grain-sensitive dogs. A highly nutritious ancient grain.
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Warning Signs & Symptoms
No safety concerns with plain cooked amaranth at appropriate amounts. Raw amaranth: contains compounds that reduce nutrient absorption — always cook. Large amounts: digestive upset.
If Your Dog Ate This
No emergency at small amounts of cooked amaranth.
Safe to Feed
plain cooked amaranth only — never raw
What to Avoid
raw amaranth (antinutrients), large amounts as staple, seasoned amaranth
Preparation & Serving
Always cook thoroughly. Plain only. Small amounts as food topper.
Potential Health Benefits
Complete protein, highest calcium of any grain, iron, magnesium, gluten-free.
Safer Alternatives
- quinoa-dogs|buckwheat-dogs|millet-dogs
Did you know?
Amaranth was so important to Aztec culture that Cortes banned its cultivation as part of the Spanish conquest — a deliberate attempt to destroy Aztec religious ceremonies in which amaranth featured prominently. Despite this suppression small populations kept growing amaranth secretly for centuries. Its rediscovery as a superfood in the 1970s and 1980s was largely thanks to these persistent cultivators.
Portions & nutrition
- Serving (small dog)
- 1 tablespoon
- Serving (medium dog)
- 2 tablespoons
- Serving (large dog)
- 3 tablespoons
- Calories (per 100g)
- 102
- Safe frequency
- Several times per week as food topper
Source
What You Need to Know
Amaranth is an ancient grain used by the Aztecs that is exceptionally nutritious for dogs. It contains complete protein all essential amino acids and is high in calcium making it unusual among plant foods. Cooking is important as raw amaranth contains antinutritional compounds. Plain cooked amaranth is an excellent occasional food topper.
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