Can Dogs Eat Sunflower Seeds?
In moderation. Shelled sunflower seeds, raw or dry-roasted with no salt, aren't toxic and provide vitamin E, but they're very fatty. Bagged in-shell, salted seeds are a no.
What it gives your dog
Shelled sunflower seeds have about 580 kcal and 50 g of fat per 100 g (3.5 oz), mostly linoleic acid (omega-6), plus vitamin E, magnesium and selenium. A teaspoon (about 3 g) provides about 17 kcal. A little sprinkled over their food won't hurt, but too much causes diarrhea and adds calories, and they aren't a good idea for dogs prone to pancreatitis. If you're looking for omega-3 for their skin, sunflower seeds don't provide it: that comes from oily fish.
The problem is sunflower seeds the way people usually snack on them: in the shell and salted, or flavored (barbecue, spicy, ranch, or with garlic or onion powder). The shells don't digest, they have sharp points and, if a dog eats a lot, they can irritate the intestine or form a plug in the rectum that keeps them from pooping. The salt in a whole bag will cause intense thirst and vomiting in a small dog. Watch out at parks, benches and ballparks where people snack on seeds: some dogs binge on shells from the ground.
How to serve it
- Shelled, without the shell
- Raw or dry-roasted with no salt
- Chopped or sprinkled over their food
- Never salted, flavored or from an in-shell snack bag
How much can they eat?
Small dog (under 10 kg / 22 lb): half a teaspoon (about 1.5 g). Medium (10-25 kg / 22-55 lb): one teaspoon (about 3 g). Large (over 25 kg / 55 lb): two teaspoons (about 6 g). A few times a week as an extra, not daily.
Risks
- Shells: blockage or a plug in the rectum
- Salt in bagged snack seeds
- Flavors with garlic or onion powder, and spicy ones
- High fat: diarrhea and pancreatitis
- Shells on the ground at parks and patios
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat sunflower seeds with the shell?
No. Sunflower seed shells don't digest, they're fibrous and have sharp points. A few usually pass without trouble, but a handful can irritate the intestine or build up in the rectum and form a painful plug. If you give your dog sunflower seeds, always make them shelled and unsalted.
What happens if my dog eats salted sunflower seeds?
A few usually cause nothing more than thirst. A whole bag is a lot of salt for a small or medium dog: it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, intense thirst and, in severe cases, tremors or disorientation from excess sodium. Call your vet with their weight and the amount, and leave fresh water out.
Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds?
Yes, under the same conditions: shelled, raw or dry-roasted with no salt and in small amounts, because they're fatty too. They provide some zinc. What there isn't is evidence that they get rid of intestinal parasites in dogs, whatever you may read: for that, use the dewormer your vet prescribes.
General information reviewed against veterinary sources. If your dog has eaten something that worries you, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right away, without waiting for symptoms.