Some say mustard is bad for dogs, while others say it has health benefits. So which is right? Can dogs eat mustard? It seems both are correct as some parts of the mustard plant will not harm your dogs, while the mustard seeds are quite toxic.
What Is Mustard?
Mustard is a common condiment that has quite a tasty spicy flavor. Mustard comes from the seeds of a plant that comes from the Brassicaceae family. The seeds, to release their flavor, can be crushed or ground, and then they are made into a paste by adding liquid. At times the seeds are incorporated whole into the condiment.
Dogs can eat mustard greens, but they should not eat the poisonous mustard seeds.
Mustard Greens
So those people that said your dog could each mustard were referring to mustard greens and, in particular steamed mustard greens. Mustard greens are the leafy greens of the mustard plant. They have a peppery flavor. If you taste the leaf, you will immediately know it belongs to the mustard plant. It is safe for dogs to eat mustard greens, but they must be cooked. There are a small number of health benefits for dogs in eating mustard greens, as long as they are prepared appropriately.
Remember, you should never give your dog raw mustard greens.
The dog's digestive system is not the same as humans, nor do dogs chew in the same way we do. If they eat the greens raw, they will not sufficiently break down the plant's cell walls before they swallow the food. The ability to digest the food impacts the dog's thyroid function as too many raw vegetables will suppress the dog's thyroid.
To make them safe, cook them. You can have steamed mustard greens or boil them until soft, then mashed or make into a puree. Mix the puree or mash with their usual dog food. Do not add any seasoning. The greens, prepared in this way, will be more easily digested, and the absorption process in the gut will be more rapid.
Some of the benefits of eating mustard greens are that they are high in phosphorus and potassium and high in fiber. Dogs will benefit from these nutrients if the greens are prepared properly as the nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants are more rapidly absorbed.
Mustard Seeds
The condiment mustard is made from mustard seeds. These seeds contain glucosinolates. Glucosinolates contain sulfur, which is in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussel sprouts. If dogs eat mustard seeds, it can cause inflammation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal and intestinal pain.
While properly prepared mustard greens are acceptable for dogs to eat, you should never feed your dog mustard seeds. If you find it hard to resist giving scraps to your dog while eating, make sure there are no mustard seeds present.
Mustard – The Condiment
Should you feed your dog mustard? The condiment, mustard, that you might love on your hot dog is BAD for your dog. Please make sure you are cautious when sharing food that has mustard on it with your dogs.
People have used both mustard powder and the condiment to induce vomiting in dogs. Some advocate this as a medical solution in situations where your dog has eaten something poisonous. Mustard, as a powder or a condiment, is considered a reasonably safe way to induce vomiting. However, it is recommended that a vet be consulted before undertaking this course of action.
If you are using mustard to make a dog vomit, you should not use condiment mustard with the full seeds. You would need to use smooth paste mustard or mix two teaspoons of mustard powder with some water to make a paste that you feed to your dog.
When dogs ingest something poisonous, a vet may induce vomiting to get the toxic substance out of the dog's body. Mustard, in both powder and condiment form, is a relatively safe product that can do this. A vet may allow you to administer it yourself if you talk to them about the issue your dog is facing. Vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. If not monitored this can lead to death, so proceed with caution. Do not attempt to make your dog vomit without first speaking to your vet
My Dog Ate Mustard Seeds.
Symptoms
A.Diarrhea, mainly if it has occurred more than once since consuming the mustard.
B.Vomiting
C.Pain in the dog's abdomen, apparent when the dog is arching its back or when the stomach is pressed.
One or more of these things will be a sign that your dog has consumed too many mustard seeds which are toxic to dogs. Keep an eye on your pup over the ensuing hours. If the symptoms continue after a couple of hours, you will need to contact the vet.
If you have small dogs, they are likely to display symptoms more quickly. Gastroenteritis will be evident more slowly in larger dogs.
Be aware that a tiny portion of bright yellow mustard will not do much harm. So if you have given your dog a piece of hotdog and there is a small scrap of mustard on it, it will probably not have any side effects. If it eats a more significant amount or the mustard has seeds in it, it is highly likely to make your dog ill..
Summary
Your canine can eat steamed or boiled mustard greens, and these will have some health benefits. If your dog has a well-balanced diet, however, they should not need additional nutrients added. If your dog eats a tiny amount of mustard on a sandwich scrap, it will not be harmed. Again it would help if you watched the extra titbits you give to your dog as it can lead to obesity and other health issues. It is best not to feed them too much human food and food that would not be part of their usual diet.
Mustard seeds are toxic to dogs. If eaten, they will cause digestive issues and pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. If you know that your dog has eaten a mustard seed quantity, you need to seek assistance from a vet.
