Many dog owners ask can dogs eat tapioca? The short answer is Yes, but before you let your pup eat it, there are some things you should know!
Well, Tapioca, also known as Yuca, is a starch extracted from cassava plant, which continues to be one of the top human foods all over the world mainly because it is easy to grow and provides plenty of energy. The plant is native to Brazil and much of South America. Tapioca is available as flour, flakes, meal and pearls. The pearls are commonly used to make tapioca pudding and bubble teas. Tapioca is known as a creamy pudding dessert with little sustenance, and also used as a thickener, to bind kibble and canned food.
So can dogs eat tapioca? Yes, tapioca is OK to feed. Generally, cassava based products like Tapioca and Garri have been processed enough to remove the toxic chemicals and are safe for dogs to consume, so if your dog ate tapioca, she’ll be just fine, and you don’t have to worry about her. But even if it’s safe, it should not be considered as a primary source food, and should be given in moderation.
Tapioca, like Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes, is a drastically different source of carbohydrates, which make it an excellent option in specialist diets, most dogs love it.
If you need to add tapioca to your dog’s diet, and you’re looking for some dog foods, we have found 2 good formulas that make use of Tapioca. Both provide excellent nutrition, with a sufficient amount of protein and healthy fats. Also they are suitable for dogs that seem to have food allergies, as they contain a limited number of ingredients. You can check the prices at Amazon.
#1 Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food by Nature’s Variety.
#2 Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food Real Rabbit & Chickpeas.
The nutritional profile of Tapioca:
- Tapioca is a healthy source of carbohydrates, because it is low in cholesterol and unhealthy fats. Tapioca can be included in dietary plans to promote healthy weight gain.
- Tapioca is gluten free (because cassava root doesn’t contain any gluten). Also tapioca flour, which does not contain any gluten, can be a healthier alternative for dogs that are allergic to wheat flour.
- Tapioca is rich in minerals:
Calcium (which is essential to dogs for maintaining healthy bones and teeth).
Manganese (helps your dog to digest and absorb proteins and carbohydrates he gets from his food).
Iron (which is responsible for a number of physiological processes like the synthesis of blood). - Tapioca doesn’t supply many vitamins that your dog needs. However, it does provide some micro nutrients such as Folate and the Vitamin B6.
- Tapioca has a significant amount of dietary fiber, which helps with your dog maintain consistent digestion.