As pet owners, we often wonder which human food our dogs can eat. It’s perfectly normal for us to be conscious about the food we’re giving to our pets. We’re sure that you love to share food with your canine friends.
If by any chance, you have stumbled upon this article, it means you’re doing great! Doing research before introducing new food into your dog’s diet means you’re a responsible owner, so go ahead and pat yourself on the back.
Going back, we know that you’re curious to know if your dogs can eat cassava. Today, we’ll answer all the relevant questions you might have about cassava.
Can your dogs eat cassava?
Yes, dogs can eat cassava, and it is safe for them to eat, as long as it is appropriately prepared. Moderation is also required because overconsumption of cassava can cause bloating and stomach problems for your dogs.
Cassava, also called manioc, yuca, is a starchy root crop native to South America and commonly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. The cassava root is similar in shape to sweet potatoes, taro, or yams.
As a drought-resistant crop, cassava is considered a primary staple food, especially in developing countries. It is commonly consumed as boiled, cooked as snacks and delicacies, or extracted to produce tapioca flour and tapioca starch.
It is important to prepare cassava properly before giving it to your dogs, because eating it raw may be toxic and dangerous.
What health benefits does cassava offer?
Well, not much, but there are a few nutrients that are beneficial to your dog’s body.
Carbohydrates
Cassava is rich in carbohydrates which makes it an excellent source of energy. According to the USDA FoodData Central, there are about 40 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams of cassava.
Since it is high in carbohydrates and starch, cassava is often used as a gluten-free alternative in the culinary sense. Cassava is also used in feeds for livestock animals, usually as an alternative to maize.
While this crop makes a good source of carbohydrates, too much consumption of cassava can lead to stomach problems for your dogs. It’s also not a good idea to let your dog go on a cassava-only diet because they need other nutrients as well for their bodily functions.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps detoxify the body from free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative damage and aging to the cells, protein, DNA, and other components of the body. It is also known to cause cancer, especially when it accumulates in the body.
Vitamin C is also helpful in supporting collagen production, which improves joints and bone health. And perhaps the most commonly known benefit of vitamin C is boosting your dog’s immunity.
Even though dogs can produce vitamin C on their own, supplementing the nutrient is actually commonly practiced by dog owners. Giving additional doses of vitamin C to dogs isn’t mandatory but it can be helpful in the absorption and stability of other nutrients and minerals in their body.
Generally speaking, cassava doesn’t offer a lot of nutritional benefits to your dogs. It’s considered more as a component for a balanced diet. Dogs still need other nutrients, such as protein, to maintain their health.
Resistant Starch
Cassava contains a good amount of resistant starch which aids metabolism and digestion. It also has the same properties as soluble fibers by acting as probiotics, feeding the beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Resistant starch also reduces the risk of obesity and weight-related problems by improving metabolic health. Since it is rich in starch, it can easily help your dogs feel full and reduce their appetite.
What makes cassava unsafe?
Cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides called linamarin, which can cause cyanide poisoning, if not removed properly. To remove the cyanide compounds, cassava must be washed, peeled, and soaked for a couple of days before drying, grating, or boiling for consumption.
Eating raw or improperly cooked cassava can result in cyanide poisoning for you and your dogs. So never offer raw cassava to your dogs.
Frequent consumption of cassava may also cause intoxication because of the build-up of cyanide in the body. In humans, too much active cyanide in the body can cause paralysis in children, goiter problems and iodine deficiency.
If these are the effects of cyanide in the human body, we can only imagine what it can do to our furry pals.
What should you do if your dogs ate raw cassava?
If by any chance your dog accidentally ate raw cassava, you should immediately call your veterinarian. Unless your dog is already throwing up, sometimes you would need to induce vomiting if your veterinarian tells you to do so.
A 3% hydrogen peroxide can be administered to your dogs to make them throw up, but make sure to consult your veterinarian first. You should also watch out for the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Difficulty in breathing
Processed Cassava Products
As a staple and versatile crop, cassava is used as an ingredient in different foods, such as desserts and snacks. If you’re asking if your dogs can eat these processed cassava products, the general answer is yes.
However, there are other things to consider like the ingredients used to make these processed cassava products.
Sugar
Cassava delicacies such as cassava cakes, tapioca pearls, or tapioca puddings contain high amounts of sugar. While sugar isn’t toxic in itself, overconsumption can lead to weight-related problems and diabetes to your dogs.
Salt and other Seasonings
Cassava chips are another snack that you might consider giving to your dogs. However, these cassava chips usually contain flavors that are high in salt and other seasonings.
Too much salt can cause dehydration or in some cases, salt poisoning to dogs.
Conclusion
Cassavas are a staple crop, especially in developing countries, thanks to its drought-resistant properties and high carbohydrate content. It is also a versatile ingredient used in different types of food.
So, can dogs eat cassava?
Dogs can eat cassavas as long as they are prepared and detoxified properly. However, it is not advisable to give raw cassavas to dogs (and humans too!) because it contains cyanide compounds that can cause poisoning when ingested.
Despite it being a high source of carbohydrates, it’s not advisable to regularly feed your dogs cassava. There are far better food options that provide nutritional benefits to your furry friends.