The most prevalent foods that contain soy in our diets are tofu, tempeh, edamame, soy milk, and soybeans. Soy is a prized protein source for many people who follow vegetarian and vegan diets and is said to have many health benefits (and some risks) for humans. However, should our dogs eat them with us? How does this translate to our canine best friends?.
Are Soy Ingredients Okay in Dog Food?
Currently, studies say yes. In an article for Your Dog from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts veterinary nutritionist Cailin Heinze, VMD, DACVM, says, “Some people think soy is being used in diets as a cheap, inferior replacement for meat, but thats not the case. Its not inferior. Soy is the best quality of the plant proteins […] While some animal proteins are more digestible and usable by dogs, other animal proteins arent as good as soy. So having soy protein in a diet doesnt mean the protein quality is bad, and having meat or other animal protein in a diet doesnt mean that the protein quality is good.”
Soy actually has a lot of advantages because it is rich in vitamins, folic acid, and amino acids. It also has a healthy amount of fatty acids and is a good source of potassium, fiber, and both.
How To Spot Soy In Pet Foods
Most kibble, canned, and veterinarian-based diets today contain soy products. However, it isn’t always visible on the ingredient label.
Lecithin, hydrolyzed protein (typically found in allergy diets), monosodium glutamate, vitamin E, and tocopherols are just a few of the many names for soy that can be hidden in ingredient lists. Tofu, tempeh, textured vegetable protein, textured soy flour (TSF), vegetable broth, guar gum, and even the all-encompassing “natural flavoring” are among the numerous products with the words “vegetable,” “plant,” or “bean” in their names that are all soy-based. ”.
History of Dogs and Soy Milk
The earliest record of soy milk comes from China, where soy and soy milk were carved into stone walls as early as 222–20 AD. The artifact belonged to a kitchen where soy milk and tofu were made. In addition, Su Ping’s poem “Od to Tofu,” which was written in China in 1500, contains the first written mention of soy milk.
In the future, Domingo Fernandez de Navarrete made a reference to soy milk in Europe around 1665. He was a missionary at the time, residing in Vietnam. In those early days, soy milk was only produced to make edible tofu. The Chinese, however, were noted to consume warm soy milk as part of their breakfast by 1886. After arriving in the United States, soy milk started to become even more popular. Around 1917, the US started commercially producing soy milk in large quantities.
Dogs may have occasionally consumed soy, but fresh, raw meats and fish were their primary source of protein and nutrients. Dogs would either go on their own hunting expeditions or be fed the leftover meat and bones from human meals.
FAQ
Why is soy not good for dogs?
There are many reasons soy is bad for your dog. The majority of soy is genetically modified and contains the carcinogenic glyphosate, which can result in leaky gut and cancer. Additionally, hypothyroidism, allergies, or seizures may be brought on by soy.
What happens if a dog eats soy?
Because of its high sodium content, soy sauce is unhealthy for dogs. Your dog is at risk for salt poisoning or kidney damage if they consume more than a teaspoon without access to water. If your dog consumes an excessive amount of salt, it can cause neurological problems and even be fatal.
Are dogs sensitive to soy?
Proteins, particularly those derived from dairy, beef, chicken, chicken eggs, soy, or wheat gluten, are the most common food allergens in dogs.
Is soy good in dog food?
Soy is an excellent source of protein that is highly digestible, doesn’t cause dogs to experience more flatulence or bloat, and isn’t particularly allergenic when consumed as part of a complete and balanced diet.