Can Dogs Eat Hummus? How to Make Hummus Safe for Dogs

Hummus is a smooth purée of chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans), tahini (a sesame paste), olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Originally from the Middle East, hummus is traditionally a dip or a spread. People often serve hummus with pita (or another type of flatbread), crackers, carrot sticks, or other vegetables.

It’s inadvisable to feed your dog traditional hummus since it can contain numerous ingredients that can harm dogs. While the main ingredients—mashed chickpeas and tahini (sesame seed paste)—are safe for dogs, hummus often contains garlic, which is highly toxic to your pet, and seasonings that could cause gastrointestinal upset.

A safer alternative is to make your own, dog-friendly hummus; omit garlic, salt, and other seasonings when you make the dip for your dog. Feed this plain hummus as an occasional treat, rather than as a replacement for your pet’s regular dog food, since large amounts could trigger adverse reactions.

A dog-safe hummus will consist of just mashed or blended chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) and tahini paste (from sesame seeds). Skip the garlic and seasonings if you want to keep your dog’s diet free of risky ingredients. You can add puréed avocado, carrots, or other dog-safe fruits and vegetables if you wish. Here are three categories of nutrients you can expect to find in a dog-safe hummus snack:

1. 1. Antioxidants: Chickpeas contain beta carotene and selenium, both of which are antioxidants that might combat free radicals in your dog’s body, boosting their immune system and reducing their chances of developing life-threatening cancer and other degenerative conditions.
2. 2. Essential minerals: Hummus contains calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium—minerals that your dog’s body needs to promote bone strength and other bodily functions.
3. 3. Protein: Garbanzo beans and sesame seeds contain protein, an essential nutrient that can help your pet maintain lean muscle mass.

Hummus can be dangerous to dogs—in particular, store-bought brands containing garlic and hefty amounts of salt and other seasonings. Avoid putting your pet in harm’s way by making your own dog-friendly hummus using only chickpeas, tahini paste, and other safe ingredients. Here are three health risks to consider before serving your dog a spoonful of hummus:

1. 1. Garlic poisoning: One of the most harmful ingredients in hummus is garlic—even a tiny amount of garlic can contain dangerous amounts of thiosulfate—a compound that damages a dog’s red blood cells. This compound can be deadly if it leads to the development of hemolytic anemia or organ damage.
2. 2. Gastrointestinal upset: Hummus can contain citric acid, red pepper, and cumin or other seasonings that can harm your dog’s digestive system. Common symptoms of gastrointestinal upset are abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If these symptoms do not improve within a few days, dog owners should seek medical consultation with their veterinarian.
   
3. 3. Pancreatitis: Traditional hummus can cause serious side effects for your dog, but even dog-safe hummus can be risky if you feed them large quantities. Too much hummus could raise your dog’s blood pressure and increase their caloric intake, leading to rapid weight gain. Canine obesity can cause several health issues, including chronic joint pain and inflammation of the pancreas.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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