Saffron is one of the most popular spices which are derived from a flower. This spice is used in different purposes like rice, risotto and is also added in stews or to prepare sauces. As much as people love to add saffron to their foods, many pet owners wonder – can dogs eat saffron?
Table could not be displayed.As we all know saffron is one of the spices that can enhance the flavor, color and taste of the food. But everything that humans enjoy or love may not be good for your dog. The saffron is one such example. To know more about what to do and not to do, read on.
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So, can dogs eat saffron?
The straight answer to this question is – NO! You should not add saffron to any preparation that you want to feed your dogs too. It is highly toxic for your pups and is not good for their health. In fact, any spices can take a toll on the digestive system of your dog and this can lead to bad health. In some of the extreme cases, if the dog takes a lot of saffron, it can even kill the pup. So, be very careful of what your dog is eating and not! If you are adding saffron to any of the dishes for your family, avoid giving that dish to your dog. Try quinoa instead!
Why saffron can be bad for dogs?
Though some of the studies have shown that saffron appears to be a bit less hazardous if given in tiny dose, it is still a toxic ingredient for your dog. If saffron is taken in large amount, this can lead to several serious health issues such as:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Abnormalities in behavior
- Gastrointestinal pain
- Fatigue and weakness
- Low level of blood sugar
- Loss of coordination
These are some of the common symptoms and problems that you can notice when your pup consumes saffron in large amount. Consuming this spice can cause some of the rare diseases as well which can be quite fatal resulting in death too.
Can dogs eat saffron rice?
Though the straight answer to your question – can dogs eat saffron was a ‘NO’, here is something that you need to know. In the nutshell, the yellow rice or the saffron rice comes with a lot of health benefits for the dog. As the recent studies have shown, saffron in very less amount can be not so toxic for your dog. Yellow rice contains very insufficient amount of saffron in it. The saffron is basically used in the rice to bring the color. So, the presence of saffron in yellow rice is too little to cause any detrimental or hazardous effects on your dog. If you want to give your dog yellow rice, then make sure to give it in very small amount occasionally.
Are dogs allergic to saffron?
Though a small amount of saffron is not toxic for your dog, but if your pup is allergic to it, a small amount can be fatal too. The saffron contains two important compounds in it – alkaloids and colchicine. Both can have some positive as well as harmful impact on the health.
To know whether your dog is allergic to saffron or not, feed them saffron rice in very less quantity. Wait for about 24 hours to see if there are any reactions or symptoms. If not, then your dog is not allergic to saffron. If there is any reaction call your veterinarian immediately.
What to do if your allergic dog eats saffron?
If your dog is allergic to saffron and has consumed some accidentally, it can be a bad news. This can result into severe health issues. So, do not delay and take your dog to the vet right away. Consuming saffron in large quantity can be extremely toxic for the dogs but if a dog is allergic to saffron, then it can cause some allergic reactions as well. Your vet can start the treatment immediately and help your pup.
Can dogs eat saffron – final verdict!
This is all the details that you needed if you were wondering – can dogs eat saffron? Well, as you can see the saffron is toxic for dogs. But if it is consumed occasionally in a very little amount, it cannot have any detrimental impact on your pup. Make sure to consult with the veterinarian first before you decide to feed your dog yellow rice or any dish with saffron in it.
