Can Dogs Eat Quinoa? Yes: Safe Amount by Weight

Safe

Yes, dogs can eat quinoa!

Plain cooked quinoa is safe and nutritious for dogs, and it is used in some premium dog foods. It provides protein, fiber and minerals. Rinse it well and serve it plain.

Quinoa for dogs at a glance

Can dogs eat it?	Safe
Calories	About 13 kcal per 1 tablespoon cooked quinoa
Main benefit	Complete plant protein with all essential amino acids
Main risk	Saponins in the outer coating can irritate the stomach (rinse before cooking)
Puppies?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; puppies have sensitive stomachs

How much quinoa can a dog eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One 1 tablespoon cooked quinoa has about 13 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult dog could have in a day if quinoa were the only treat.

Dog weight	Daily treat budget	Max quinoa per day
10 lb (4.5 kg)	35 kcal	2.5 × 1 tablespoon cooked quinoa
20 lb (9.1 kg)	59 kcal	4.5 × 1 tablespoon cooked quinoa
40 lb (18.1 kg)	98 kcal	7.5 × 1 tablespoon cooked quinoa
60 lb (27.2 kg)	133 kcal	10 × 1 tablespoon cooked quinoa
80 lb (36.3 kg)	166 kcal	12 × 1 tablespoon cooked quinoa

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Complete plant protein with all essential amino acids
Good source of fiber, iron and magnesium
Gluten-free

Risks

Saponins in the outer coating can irritate the stomach (rinse before cooking)
Raw quinoa is hard to digest
Seasoned quinoa dishes may contain onion or garlic

How to feed quinoa to your dog

Rinse, then cook plain in water
Serve a spoonful mixed into food
Start small if your dog has a sensitive stomach

What if my dog ate too much quinoa?

Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your dog seems unwell.

Planning treats? Check your dog's full daily needs with the dog food calculator or dog calorie calculator.

Quinoa and dogs: FAQ

Can dogs have quinoa?

Yes. Plain cooked quinoa is safe and nutritious for dogs, and it is used in some premium dog foods. It provides protein, fiber and minerals. Rinse it well and serve it plain.

Is quinoa better than rice for dogs?

Quinoa has more protein and fiber than white rice, but both are fine in small amounts. White rice is gentler for upset stomachs.

Can puppies eat quinoa?

Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Puppies have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete puppy food.

More "can dogs eat" guides

Browse lists: human foods dogs can eat · foods dogs can't eat

Sources

This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs. Dogs with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.

Can Dogs Eat Quinoa?