Is the flour, the grain, and all the food made with it safe for dogs? Can dogs eat sorghum? Keep reading to find out how safe or dangerous it is for dogs.
I get it – it’s tough to find reliable, clear answers about food dogs can eat – especially food that people don’t usually eat (like sorghum). As a devoted pet parent, I created this guide with other dog owners in mind.
Before you give your dog sorghum, please read through this guide so you understand whether this human food is a healthy snack for them.
For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating sorghum.
What Is Sorghum
Just like wheat or buckwheat, sorghum is a cereal grain. It’s also known as an ancient grain. Even though it originated in Africa, it’s one of the most grown crops in the USA.
It goes by a lot of other names, including great millet, Indian millet, milo, jowar, and durra. These traditional grains are safe for human consumption and used as a healthy ingredient in many gluten-free foods.
How do we use sorghum?
In the southern United States, people love to top pancakes with dark sorghum syrup. They also use it on biscuits and cornbread. But it’s an acquired taste. Sorghum syrup isn’t as sweet as maple syrup.
Some processed foods use sorghum flour as a grain. Other people pop sorghum and eat it like popcorn. But the most common use of sorghum is used as feed for cattle and is also a part of ethanol production.
People that eat it love that it’s a gluten-free grain and farmers love it because it’s drought-resistant.
But what about dogs? Can dogs eat it?
Can Dogs Eat It?
Yes, dogs can safely eat sorghum. It’s a nutritious substitute for wheat in a lot of recipes. In fact, it’s one of the main ingredients in many gluten-free dog food choices.
It’s not just safe for dogs to eat; it’s good for them, too! If you read the ingredients in dog food or dog treats and sorghum is listed, you can feel good about letting them eat it.
That being said, if your dog has health issues, please contact your veterinarian before giving them even a small amount of sorghum. It’s best to prevent adverse reactions before they happen.
Let’s look closer at why sorghum is so good for dogs to eat.
Food Allergies
If your dog has food sensitivities or allergies, talk to your veterinarian before feeding them food with sorghum. It’s a great choice for healthy dogs, and most dogs that can’t eat wheat can eat sorghum without any health problems.
Out of all the different types of grains, sorghum is one that almost all dogs can eat without any issues.
Sorghum Nutrition
Sorghum is a gluten-free grain with a bunch of nutritional benefits for your furry friend. Let’s look closer at some of the health benefits of feeding sorghum to dogs.
Antioxidants
Sorghum contains antioxidants that prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals cause health issues like heart disease, arthritis, skin allergies, and more.
Other grain-free foods that are high in antioxidants include blueberries and cranberries.
High Protein
Dogs need to eat a lot of protein to maintain strong muscles and a healthy body. It also gives them a natural source of energy, too.
Sorghum is high in protein. There are 11 grams of protein in 100 grams of sorghum.
Before you replace all of your dog’s protein with plant-based protein, check with your dog’s veterinarian.
Essential Minerals
Look at all the health-boosting minerals that are in sorghum:
- Vitamin B – It’s full of vitamins B1, B2, and B6, which help with energy and brain health.
- Iron – This is fantastic for anemic dogs and helping with enzyme functions.
- Zinc – Supports skin health
- Magnesium – Supports liver, heart, and digestive health.
- Potassium – This is good for strong bones and boosting metabolism.
High Fiber
Sorghum is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates that add bulk to your dog’s bowels. If your dog isn’t regular or needs help in that area, they might need more fiber.
Fiber is also an important part of gut health. It feeds the good bacteria in your dog’s intestines. It also slows the absorption of sugar, preventing blood sugar spikes.
Gluten-Free Flour Alternative
Sorghum is a gluten-free alternative to other ancient grains, such as bulgur, wheat berries, spelt, and freekeh.
Foods made with sorghum are a healthy gluten-free alternative to wheat flour. You might even find sorghum as an ingredient in gluten-free treats.
Be Careful
If sorghum is so good for dogs, are there any dangers that pet owners need to be aware of? Yes, there are.
Basically, sorghum is nutritious but it is still a carb and high in calories. It’s important that dogs get most of their nutrition from animal protein and plant sources.
But the easiest way to handle that is to only give your dog a few treats a day, even healthy treats. Easy!
Another concern with sorghum is that it might contain mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are molds that grow on grains while they are stored. To avoid them, buy a grain-free dog food or pay close attention to dog food recalls.
Some dog owners are also worried about grain mites getting into sorghum and grain-based food. The best way to avoid them entirely is to avoid food made with sorghum.
Thankfully, dogs have to eat a lot of buckwheat leaves to get any of these reactions, but it’s still a good idea to know what to watch out for.
How Much Can Dogs Eat
Since the biggest danger of eating too many grains is the high calories and possible weight gain, there isn’t really a level that is defined as too much for dogs.
When we think about what our dog eats, it all depends on their size and what else they ate that day. Most of your dog’s calories need to come from animal protein and vegetables. Grains like sorghum or oats are safe (and even nutritious) for dogs, but they should play a supporting role, not make up most of their diet.
How To Give Sorghum To Dogs
The easiest way to give your dog sorghum is to buy kibble or dog food that use it as one of the main ingredients. That takes no extra effort on your part. Or sprinkle some of the flour on your dog’s food.
You can also make homemade dog treats with sorghum flour. Bob’s Red Mill makes stone ground sorghum flour and you can easily buy it at Walmart and some grocery stores.
Final Thoughts
Whether your dog eats a grain-free diet or you just want to give them more whole grains, sorghum is a fantastic source of dietary fiber. It’s a great choice for dogs that have gluten sensitivities. The nutritional value of sorghum makes it a great thing to add to your dog’s diet.
Additional Dog Food Resources
Check out more grains dogs can and can’t eat:
Find lots of articles on food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!
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