Mustard is one of those good for everything condiments. It works wonders in a sandwich, but it makes its way into much more complicated meals.
Its specific taste adds a hint of something special when you’re preparing meat, for example. Many salad dressings are instantly better when you add mustard to them.
So, it’s no surprise that every kitchen has at least some honey mustard in it. The extra-long shelf life mustard has makes it a great buy whenever.
Today, you were making some steaks in mustard. It’s easy and it makes a great entree when you’re in a rush, but you want to eat something on the healthy side, however.
Wonderful smells fill the kitchen and the home, as well. Your dog seems to agree it smells great, too. She lifts up her nose, looks at you all sad, begging for some food.
Sure, when you prepare a good meal, you give the dog some, too. Or you prepare some for her on the side. But can you give your dog some meat with mustard?
Is mustard something dangerous for your pet? Continue reading to find out!
Can Dogs Eat Mustard?
Whenever you want to give your dog something she has never eaten before, the question poses itself: can you? Is it safe? The same thing is with mustard. So, the mystery must be revealed!
To be honest, dogs can eat mustard. There are a few restrictions when it comes to dogs eating mustard. We’ll cover them all in this article.
Whenever you want to give your dog something new, remember to introduce that food item. Dogs can have food allergies and hypersensitivity to food items, just like humans.
The safest thing to do is watch the dog closely after you give her some mustard. If you notice your dog is acting unusually or that she’s lethargic after eating mustard, discontinue the use immediately.
Introducing Mustard To Your Dog’s Diet
Introducing is a method of adding some new food to your dog’s diet. It’s a great method because it offers certain benefits.
For example, dogs tend to be put off by new foods, because foods that look nothing like meat seem unappetizing to them. That’s mainly because dogs need more meat than veggies in their diet, despite dogs being omnivores.
So, when you want to add mustard to your dog’s diet, remember to do it slowly. In other words, add a little to their usual meal. Next time, add some more and increase the dose until you reach the full advised dose.
This way, your dog will be safe even if she turns out to be allergic to mustard. If the dog eats a small portion of mustard, it will not die from licking a little. She will require a visit to the vet, but nothing serious will happen.
Just remember to watch her reaction afterward. Watch her closely the first few times to figure out whether she responds well. If she does, continue without fear!
Serving Mustard To Your Dog
When you want to serve mustard to your dog, there are a few things to remember. Not all mustard is a great idea for your pet!
First, let’s talk about the condiment, yellow mustard. Yellow mustard or mustard powder is a relatively safe food product.
Dogs can eat it without worries it may make them sick – but introduce the food anyways. Our advice is to mix it in their regular food. If it’s powder, dilute it with water first, and then mix it in.
Just remember to use yellow mustard without any seeds!
Can My Dog Eat Yellow Mustard On A Regular Basis?
Well, no. It may be a great idea to feed your pup yellow mustard from time to time, though.
If the dog eats yellow mustard regularly, it may pose a health risk. It’s a great idea to open up the dog’s appetite, but that’s about it. Once a month usually does the job, and we advise you to follow that recommendation.
Let’s talk about proper dosage. Toy and small dog breeds shouldn’t eat more than a ¼ of a tablespoon per meal. Medium breeds can eat as much as a ½ tablespoon, and large breeds can usually get away with a full tablespoon.
Once again, abide by the dosage above. If your dog eats more than that, consult a doctor to be safe!
Can Dogs Eat Mustard Greens?
Yes, yes, a million times yes!
Mustard greens are not only safe for your pup, they are super healthy. Mustard greens offer several health benefits for your beloved pet, so it’s truly a good idea to feed the dog mustard greens.
Just like all other cruciferous vegetables, mustard greens are a-okay for your dog. There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to serving, though.
Humans can eat some cruciferous vegetables raw, but dogs cannot eat any this way. The dog could experience symptoms from mild indigestion to serious tummy woes.
To avoid all those pesky symptoms, cook the mustard greens before serving them to your furry friend. The best way is to steam the veggies or boil them a bit in the water. You can later mix it in regular dog food or serve it with some meat.
Make sure to chop them up in small bits. When dogs get to eat something new, they tend to get excited and forget to chew.
About dosage per pet size, it’s hard to get your dog to overeat on mustard greens. If your dog is a smaller breed, half a leaf ought to do it. If it’s medium or large-sized, a leaf, up to a leaf and a half is more than enough!
And when dogs eat large pieces without chewing, it could result in a lot of problems. The best-case scenario: your dog starts spitting and vomits a little.
The worst-case scenario? Your dog gets intestinal blockage or bloat. Always remember to cut up food in small bits your dog can eat without chewing.
Intestinal blockage or worse, bloat, could result in your pet having surgery. Take care of your pet at all times, carelessness could be lethal for her!
What About Mustard Seeds, Can My Dog Eat Those?
No! On no account or occasion should your dog eat mustard seeds.
Mustard seeds are very dangerous for your dog, and they could be lethal, too. If your dog eats any mustard with seeds, visit the emergency veterinarian immediately!
Benefits Of Dogs Eating Mustard
We already talked about safe and unsafe versions of mustard. Yellow mustard and mustard greens are safe, but mustard seeds are never a good idea!
Mustard greens offer some great health benefits for your pup. These leafy greens are full of antioxidants.
Antioxidants are an important part of every dog’s diet. They protect the dog’s skin from dangerous free radicals. Free radicals can cause cancer, and mustard greens prevent that from happening – isn’t that great?
However, that’s not the only thing that is great about mustard greens. The leafy greens are full of potassium and phosphorus, which maintain the overall wellbeing of your pup. If your dog eats a good, well-balanced diet, it will live a long, happy, and playful life.
Mustard greens are also a good source of fiber. Fiber is an important nutrient for your pup for them to have regular bowel movements and to keep the bowels healthy.
Hazards Of Dogs Eating Mustard
While it may seem like a good idea to mix up your dog’s diet from time to time, our official advice is to stick to commercial dog food. Commercial dog food won’t cause your dog allergies or any digestive troubles.
Foods like mustard greens may seem attractive to change up the pet’s meals. However, dogs cannot be bored of eating the same meal over and over again.
Commercial dog food gives your dog all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals she needs to thrive. Mixing up the treats occasionally is fine, but stick to ready-made food when it comes to your pup. Any strays from that could cause health complications for your dog!
Conclusion
To conclude, dogs can eat mustard – but only some types of it. Mustard greens and yellow mustard are fine, but mustard seeds are not!
While mustard greens are safe and healthy for your pup, yellow mustard is only good as a little treat sometimes. However, it’s good only if it doesn’t contain any mustard seeds!
Mustard seeds are something your dog should never eat. They are toxic and could even be lethal for your dog!
So, yellow mustard and greens are safe, but if you ask us – stick to foods that are better for your pup. The market offers so many treats and a variety of foods, there’s no need to experiment with your pet!
Learn More: What Can Dogs Eat? A Comprehensive List Of Dog-safe Foods
