Ghee is a popular food ingredient in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. It gives the tasty and sumptuous texture common in these dishes.
These are perfectly safe for people. But what if your dog also wants to taste it? Will you give them some?
And can dogs eat Ghee?
Yes, dogs can eat Ghee because it doesn’t have fats, sugar, casein, and lactose, which are food ingredients harmful to canines. However, you shouldn’t give your dogs too much Ghee to avoid indigestion and stomach problems.
In this article, we’ll discuss more what Ghee is, its ingredients, and if it is safe and healthy for dogs.
What Is Ghee?
Ghee is a clarified butter commonly used in most Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. Ghee is created by melting butter and separating the milk solids and liquid fats through boiling.
The high-cholesterol fats, sugars, casein, and lactose are then removed, making this a healthier kind of butter. Ghee is also rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats.
Is Ghee Safe For Dogs To Eat?
Ghee is a type of butter that is a healthier and safer alternative because it doesn’t have casein and lactose, which are allergens for most dogs and people.
This is done by slowly melting regular butter through an intensive boiling process that evaporates all moisture. This makes Ghee a great alternative for dogs that are lactose intolerant.
So, yes. Dogs can eat Ghee.
Is Ghee Healthy For Dogs?
Yes, Ghee is healthy for dogs because it mainly contains saturated fat from animal products. It is also a rich source of linoleic acid (CLA) which helps lose weight, relieve inflammations, and prevent cancer and diabetes.
Ghee also contains saturated fats, a healthy kind of fat, compared to trans fats which high in cholesterol. However, dogs should still consume Ghee in moderation because anything excessive is bad for their health.
What Is The Difference Between Ghee And Butter?
Ghee is created by slowly melting butter to evaporate and remove all the milk solids and moisture. This removes the bad fats and lactose components which are unsafe for dogs. All that’s left after removing all of these from regular butter, all that’s left is the golden liquid texture that is Ghee.
Ghee has a higher smoke point compared to butter. This means that Ghee won’t burn even if it’s subjected to high temperatures. Ghee also has a nuttier flavor than regular butter because it lacks lactose, responsible for the milder taste.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Ghee On Dogs?
Strengthens Joints
Ghee helps strengthen bones, muscles, and joints because it’s rich in calcium and Vitamin K. These nutrients are essential in improving the flexibility of tendons and ligaments and help build more solid bones.
Improves Coat And Skin
Ghee helps improve your dog’s coat and skin because it’s rich in butyric acid. Aside from making your dog’s coat look more stunning, this also helps reduce hip and joint inflammation. Ghee can also be applied topically on areas with skin irritation like dermatitis and eczema.
Strengthens Immune System
Ghee helps strengthen your dog’s immune system because it contains Vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant.
This helps repair damaged cells in the body and recover from various illnesses faster. Regularly eating Ghee can also help the body function properly because it improves the immune system’s efficiency in fighting off germs and viruses.
Better Digestion
Ghee can help improve your dog’s digestive system because it contains butyric acid, which aids healthy digestion and increases energy levels.
How Much Ghee Should You Give Your Dog?
Ghee is safe and healthy for dogs. But they also shouldn’t overeat because it can lead to indigestion problems. The ideal amount of Ghee you can feed a small dog is just ¼ tsp. daily. Meanwhile, you can give ½ tsp of Ghee for a medium-sized dog or 1 tsp for a large dog daily.
We also recommend that you don’t feed Ghee to your dog daily. Instead, you can give Ghee to them every other day or three to four times a week. It’s best to give them Ghee if they have more physical activity for that day.
What Are The Risks Of Feeding Ghee To Dogs?
Don’t overfeed Ghee to dogs even if it’s safe and healthy for them. Remember that too much of anything isn’t good.
Ghee is rich in fats. And even though these are healthy fats, they can still lead to high cholesterol levels, especially if they overeat. This can lead to various heart problems.
This can even lead to kidney failure in worse cases. Ghee also isn’t recommended for dogs who need to have a low-fat diet or suffer from pancreatitis. Overeating Ghee can also lead to stomach pains, diarrhea, and constipation.
Is Topical Application Of Ghee On Dogs Safe?
Yes, Ghee is safe to apply topically on dogs because this acts as a moisturizer. This helps treat dry skin areas, commonly your dog’s elbow pads.
You can apply Ghee to dry skin areas twice or thrice a week. Gently rub the Ghee on the dry area until the skin absorbs it. You can also use Ghee alongside coconut oil.
So, Can Dogs Eat Ghee?
Yes, dogs can eat Ghee because this doesn’t contain bad fats, lactose, and sugar. It is a more refined version of butter, making this a healthier alternative.
Ghee is rich in Vitamins A and K, calcium, and butyric acid, which help strengthen your dog’s bones, muscles, and immune system.
These can also make your dog’s skin healthier and coat shinier. Don’t feed them too much Ghee because overeating can lead to indigestion, stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult your veterinarian.