If you are a fan of Indian cuisine, you may have tasted poppadoms. For those who don’t know, these are crispy flatbreads which are made using lentil flour and there are different spices added to them. You can fry them, roast them or even put them in the microwave. So, while you prepare this treat for yourself, it’s obvious for you to wonder – Can dogs eat poppadoms?
Well, the answer to this question is not that simple. Because there are some ingredients which are not quite healthy and may cause health issues for your furry friend. So, being a vet advisor, I will try my best to provide you with a reasonable answer.
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Can Dogs Eat Poppadoms?
Yes, dogs can eat poppadoms but, just like many other human food items, for instance, hash brown, or digestive biscuits, they should eat this in moderation. The reason is quite simple, poppadoms are fried and contain ingredients such as oil, flour, and salt.
In addition, these flatbreads also constitute a mix of garlic or onion, and such a mixture is not that healthy for a dog. It can cause digestive issues, high blood pressure and obesity in dogs. So, if you feed the ones having onion or garlic in them then it will cause issues. To understand this better, let’s get to know poppadoms better.
What are poppadoms?
Poppadoms are a type of flatbread that comes from the Indian subcontinent. This is served as an appetizer or a side dish. The core ingredients of this flatbread include – lentil flour and spices such as pepper, chilli, cumin, garlic and onion. They are served with different chutneys.
Health issues for dogs eating poppadoms
The ingredients suggest that they are not healthy for the dogs. You can give an occasional treat but, if fed frequently there are some serious health issues.
- Weight gain and obesity
Poppadoms contain high calories and carbohydrates. Both of these can cause your furry friend to gain weight and become obese. Once your dog starts suffering from obesity, they expose themselves to other health issues such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer or heart disease.
- High blood pressure
Poppadoms have salt in them and often they can elevate blood pressure. They can also cause dehydration in dogs. High blood pressure in dogs damages their kidneys, messes with their cognitive function and causes heart issues. Dehydration can cause weakness and organ failure.
- Anemia and toxicity
The presence of onion or garlic powder in these flatbreads is toxic for dogs. These ingredients can damage the red blood cells. This results in anemia, and your dog will suffer from weakness, have pale gums, will breathe rapidly, and may even tumble. The damage to the liver because of the garlic can cause jaundice.
- Pancreatitis and digestive issues
Poppadoms are fried in oil and this adds unnecessary fat content. So, if you are serving them with their regular diet or afterwards, your furry friend is at risk of having pancreatitis. Inflammation in the pancreas causes severe pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Further, eating too many poppadoms can also cause bloating, gas, and constipation. This is mainly because of the flour and other ingredients which are quite tough to digest for your furry friend.
Feeding dogs too many poppadoms can cause similar issues as feeding them too much pasta. Check out our guide on can dogs have pasta for more tips on feeding pasta to your friendly pup.
Benefits of poppadoms
The health issues occurring after ingestion of poppadoms alert us in the feeding aspect but, you should also know that there are some potential benefits as well. Following are some of the perks for your dogs:
- Easy digestion
This may seem contradictory but, if you manage the quantity of serving the poppadoms, they are easily digested. They are a good source of fibre and this helps with the digestion and also control the cholesterol levels of your furry friend.
In one serving, your dog will roughly get 2 g of fibre. However, make sure that the salt content is not high otherwise your dog may suffer from other health problems.
- Maintain weight and muscle strengthening
Poppadoms are quite low in calories and fat. They have about 35 calories and 1 g of fat per piece. This fat proportion is less in comparison with bread or treats. It’s a good alternative to high-calorie treats that you provide your dog.
The protein content in these flatbreads is roughly 5 g. It helps in maintaining strong muscles and bones. Also, if there is some issue with the muscles, feeding poppadoms will provide the necessary protein and help with the recovery at a suitable pace.
- Versatile and easy-to-make treats
The poppadoms are easy to use with different food items. You can mix them with different dips, sauces, chutneys, and pickles, or simply crush them and use them as topping on a regular food treat.
Further, you can also mix different spices as per your furry friend’s preference and serve them as a snack. There are ample combinations and hence, it’s versatile in terms of snacks or treats you can produce. They are easy to make and there is no additional effort or cost involved while making any of these combinations of treats.
In addition, if you keep them in an air-tight container, they can last for longer periods without getting spoiled.
Consider digestive biscuits as a healthier treat alternative to poppadoms if your dog has digestion issues.If you’re unsure about how to feed digestive biscuits to your dogs, check our article on can dogs eat digestive biscuits for more tips on feeding advice.
How To Make Poppadoms?
Normally, the commercial pack of poppadoms won’t harm your dog considering you serve them in moderate quantities. But, if you are conscious about your dog’s health, it’s obvious for you to consider a homemade recipe. So, if you are looking to make these flatbreads at home, then here is a homemade recipe you can consider:
Ingredients for recipe
- 1 cup lentil flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 cup of water
- 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil
- 1/4 teaspoon of cumin
- 2 cups of oil for frying the mix
Steps for the recipes
- Take a big bowl and mix the flour, salt, and cumin. Add some water and knead the dough.
- Knead the dough until it gets smooth and soft. Add the water as per the flour in the mix.
- Once the dough is formed, roll them out on a floured surface. Cut them into small pieces, and make them thin and round shaped.
- Place the pieces on a baking sheet. Allow them to dry for roughly an hour or till they get firm but not too crispy.
- Heat up the oil for frying the pieces (keep it medium-high). Fry the poppadoms one piece at a time. You can fry each piece for about 12-15 seconds on each side and make them crispy and golden.
- Once every piece is fried, you can drain them on a paper towel and allow them to cool down.
- Serve the popadoms to your dog and if you wish you can also add some yoghurt or use some dipping for a better treat for your furry friend.
Here are some additional tips on making and serving poppadoms
- Don’t use more salt, or spice in the mix of ingredients.
- Avoid adding any amount of onion or garlic to the mix.
- Only provide small pieces and that too as an occasional treat
- Use other combinations such as fruits, and vegetables for a versatile treat
- Instead of frying, consider serving roasted or microwaved poppadoms
For more tips on making poppadoms, you can refer to Philshomekitchen.
FAQs
Is it OK for dogs to have poppadoms?
Poppadoms are safe for dogs if given in moderation. So, yes, it’s completely fine for you to serve them as an occasional treat. They are not that toxic but do contain high carbohydrates and calories. This can often cause obesity in dogs. Also, some of the commercial-packed poppadoms may have more seasoning and salt content in them which may cause severe health issues for your furry friend.
Are there any benefits of poppadoms for the dog?
The poppadoms are good if served in moderation. There are ample benefits if you manage the intake. They are low in fats and gluten-free and are healthy for your dog if you manage it with their regular diet. In addition, they are a good source of fibre and protein which helps improve muscle strength and facilitate bowel movement for improving digestion.
How often can I serve my dog Poppadom?
You should serve poppadom occasionally and that too in a small quantity. Because serving them regularly will make them think it’s part of their diet and they will expect a regular treat of poppadom. You should provide them with a piece or two once a week to ensure they don’t face any health issues. Also, make sure that they don’t contain any additional seasoning or have a higher presence of salt.
Are there any alternatives to poppadoms for dogs?
Yes! there are many alternatives for poppadoms for dogs. Some of the prominent alternatives are – fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apples, cucumbers, lean meats, beef or turkey. Other alternatives include dog food treats like biscuits, homemade treats like oatmeal cookies, peanut butter, or oatmeal cookies.
How should I make some poppadoms for my dog?
You can use different ingredients such as flour, vegetable oil, a bit of salt and some cumin in the mix before you fry them. The more suitable and healthy option is to microwave or roast this mix and make them crispy. To make this food treat more appealing, you can serve them with a dip, pureed pumpkin or peanut butter. Remember, adding more salt, spices or the slightest of onion or garlic may create health issues for your furry friend.
Can Dogs Eat Poppadoms – Concluding Remarks
Poppadoms are healthy if given in moderation and quite harmful if fed more. So, you can say that the dogs can eat poppadoms but, with some restrictions. Because they are high in salt, carbohydrates and salt, your furry friend is likely to suffer from obesity and other health issues, for instance, diarrhoea, or dehydration.
Further, some poppadoms have additional seasoning and the presence of onion and garlic. This can prove to be toxic and result in some fatal health issues for the dog. Consult a vet before you feed your dog with this crispy snack and make sure whether it’s safe for your furry friend or not. Because different dogs have different reactions to the same food treats.
So in conclusion, you can say that the dogs can eat poppadoms but, with some restrictions, just like you would be cautious about feeding popcorn. Moderation is key. If you’ve ever considered offering your dog popcorn as a delectable treat, be sure to read our guide on whether “is popcorn bad for dogs“.
