Can dogs eat Tamarind?

Most people love the mixture of the tangy, sour, and sweet taste of Tamarind. And the tamarind liker always asks if can my dog eat Tamarind.  So the answer is YES! Your dog can eat Tamarind.

But keep in mind that you are not giving the seed and the shell of Tamarind. Because the seed and shell are rigid structures and are difficult for the dog to digest. The tamarind pulp is safe for dogs.

What is Tamarind?

The Tamarind belongs to the family Fabaceae, which are leguminous plants. The scientific name of Tamarind is Tamarind us indices.  This has a sourer and less sweet taste. It is used as an additive flavor in the dishes.

It locally grows in Africa, India, Pakistan, and many other tropical regions. The tamarind pods are first green and then ripe and convert into brown color. The outer part of Tamarind is hard and has a wood-like texture. When the Tamarind ripens, its inner pulp becomes paste-like which contains the tamarind seed inside it.

Due to its color and texture of inner pulp, it is sometimes called as Dates of India.

Nutritional value of Tamarind

1000 kJ (240 kcal) energy is present in the 100 g of Tamarind. The nutritional value of 100 g of Tamarind is as follows

 When Tamarind Meet Doggy Digestion

Tamarind is generally not recommended for dogs. While it’s not toxic, it can cause digestive issues like stomach upset, diarrhea or vomiting due to its high acidity and fiber content. Additionally, tamarind often contains seeds, which can be a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockages.

Benefits of Tamarind to Dog

As the Tamarind contains a lot of nutrients so, the Tamarind has a lot of health benefits as follows

Helpful in constipation of dog

The Tamarind contains laxatives. If your dog is suffering from constipation, you can give tamarind pulp by adding it to some dish. This will help to treat constipation.

Helpful in weight management

The Tamarind stimulates the production of serotonin in humans; this will suppress the appetite. This suppression of appetite is also observed in dogs. So by the use of Tamarind, your dog will not feel hungry again and again. This will help him manage the weight.

Boost immunity

The Tamarind is a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants. The vitamin C present in the Tamarind will prove very beneficial to boost your dog’s immune system.

Reduce inflammations

Lupeol is present in the Tamarind, which is very effective in the reduction of inflammation. Due to the presence of this anti-inflammatory compound, this will be helpful in reducing swelling, canine gout, joint pain, and arthritis

Prevent artery blockage

Tamarind is also very helpful in alleviating atherosclerosis. So, Tamarind will prevent the dog from suffering from artery blockage.

Amount of Tamarind safe for the dog

Well, Tamarind is not used in high quantities in the dishes. Because it has a very prominent sour and sweet taste. It is usually used very low because its low dose will properly give its different flavor in the food. In moderation, 20- 40 g of tamarind pulp in a single meal is safe for the dog.

But if you are going to add tamarind pulp to your dog’s food, keep in mind not giving too much Tamarind. Because it contains the compound tannin, and if the usage of this compound increases, then your dog can suffer from fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and an increase in heart rate.

What if the dog overeats Tamarind?

Tamarind has a sharp taste so; there are most chances that your dog will not like its taste in raw form. You must be careful when you are adding Tamarind to the dog’s food. But if accidentally your dog has eaten the Tamarind too much. Then you must keep an eye on your dog. If you notice any illness symptoms in your dog, leave every activity and take your dog to the vet.

Serving tips

Always take out the hard seeds before giving tamarind to your dog. You can serve the Tamarind to your dog in the following ways.

You can give the pulp of Tamarind to your dog.

Don’t give Tamarind to your dog with the seed and shell.

You can give the tamarind pulp by adding it to some dish that your dog likes.

Limitations of Tamarind for dogs

In some cases, the Tamarind should be avoided to give to your dog as follows

Tamarind should not be given to the dog suffering from diarrhea. The Tamarind contains natural laxatives, which can make diarrhea severe.

The dog on the medication related to blood pressure and heart problems should avoid giving Tamarind.

It should not be provided to dogs suffering from sore throat, respiratory infection, and cough.

A dog that has a liver problem should not be provided with the Tamarind.

Despite giving all this information, you must consult your dog vet before giving Tamarind or anything new to your dog.

FAQs

Is Tamarind poisonous to dogs?

The Tamarind is safe for your dog but in moderation. The Tamarind in high amounts can cause problems to the health of your dog.

Can dogs eat tamarind seed and shell?

It is not safe for the dog to eat tamarind seed and Tamarind shell because it is hard and can cause health problems to your dog.

Are any parts of the tamarind plant safe for dogs?

No, all parts of the tamarind plant including the pulp and seeds, contain tartaric acid and should be avoided.

Recipe

Ingredients:

1Ib ground turkey

1 cup brown rice

½ cup carrots, chopped

½ cup spinach, chopped

¼ cup peas

1 tbsp coconut oil

Directions

1. Cook the brown rice according to package instructions.
2. In a large pot, heat the coconut oil over medium heat.
3. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned.
4. Add the carrots, spinach, and peas and cook for another 5-7 minutes.
5. Mix in the cooked rice and let it cool before serving.

Conclusion

The Tamarind is not toxic. And it is safe for your dog to eat but in moderation. Don’t give tamarind seed and shell to your dog.

When you first give tamarind to your dog, give only a tiny amount and observe your dog’s activities if your dog is not showing any symptoms of illness in your dog. You can give it to your dog, frankly. But if you observe any signs of disease in your dog. Take the dog to the vet as soon as possible.

In the end, I want to say that don’t take any risk to the health of your pet. Always consult with your vet before giving anything for the first time to your dog.