Can dogs eat barley? Maybe you’ve found yourself wondering if you could share some with your dog while scanning a range of grains stocked in the pantry. If humans can eat barley, can dogs safely eat it too?
The short answer is yes, dogs can eat barley. From a nutritional point of view, barley provides a useful amount of protein and fiber, along with a range of B vitamins and certain minerals, including magnesium and selenium.
Just make sure that you only serve plainly cooked barley to your dog.
As always, you must ask your regular vet before going ahead and sharing any human food with your beloved canine. Here’s what you need to know about barley and dogs.
How Is Barley Good For Dogs?
There are a number of benefits that come with adding barley to your dog’s diet. First of all, barley contains a good range of important B vitamins, which can help keep up your dog’s energy levels.
When it comes to minerals, barley provides selenium, magnesium, and potassium, all of which can help to boost your dog’s health.
Barley is a good source of protein and fiber, too, which makes it a good addition to the meals of any dogs who struggle with pooping issues. Additionally, barley can be useful for dogs who have been diagnosed with diabetes or obesity due to its low glycemic index.
How Can I Safely Give Barley To My Dog?
Only serve cooked barley to your dog. Make sure that you cook any barley for your dog in a very plain fashion using just water. Avoid adding any extra ingredients like salt or spices to it as these could prove harmful to your dog.
When adding barley to your dog’s diet, it’s great to use the grains as a supplement to existing meals. In general, try to stick to barley making up under a quarter of any one meal for your dog.
If in doubt, consult with your vet as to the precise amount that is safe and suitable for your dog’s individual nutritional needs.
Has your dog ever barley? How did they like it? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
