Can dogs eat flaxseed?

Yes: dogs can eat flaxseed. As with many food supplements for dogs, it comes down to preparation. Whole flaxseed is often excreted undigested and provides almost no nutrients. Ground or milled flaxseed is the right form: that way the omega-3 fatty acids and fiber are absorbed.

What flaxseed does for dogs

Flaxseed provides alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), fiber and mucilage. In practice, what matters most is its possible role as a small supplement for digestion, as long as it's well tolerated.

What to watch out for

Use only ground or milled flaxseed: whole seeds usually pass through the digestive tract unused. The oils in flaxseed oxidize quickly, so grind it fresh or buy only small amounts and store it cool.

A maximum of 1 to 2 teaspoons a day, depending on body size. Too much can cause diarrhea.

How to feed flaxseed

Mix ground flaxseed straight into the food. As a convenient alternative, you can use flaxseed oil: 1 teaspoon per 10 kg of body weight. Don't heat flaxseed oil.

Nutritional values and dosage

100 g of ground flaxseed contains roughly 534 kcal, 18.3 g protein, 42.2 g fat (of which 22.8 g is omega-3 as ALA), 27.3 g fiber and 255 mg magnesium. The calorie content is high, but the daily amount you feed is small.

Guideline amounts by body weight (ground flaxseed, daily):

• Small dog (up to 10 kg): ½ teaspoon (about 2 g)
• Medium dog (10 to 25 kg): 1 teaspoon (about 4 g)
• Large dog (over 25 kg): 2 teaspoons (about 8 g)

Always feed ground flaxseed with plenty of water so the fiber can swell in the gut. Without enough liquid, that swelling can cause constipation or bloating instead of relieving it. Use freshly ground flaxseed within two weeks, since the fatty acids oxidize quickly.

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