Millet for Dogs: The Little Super Grain and Its Benefits for Dogs
Millet raises the question for many dog owners about whether it is suitable for dog nutrition - after all, it is one of the →cereal types, which in high amounts can be hard to digest and unsuitable for nutritionally sensitive four-legged friends. But quite the opposite: Millet is considered a gluten-free grain belonging to the hulless grains and has several advantages over wheat. But what makes millet so healthy for dogs and how can it best be integrated into their diet?
Why is Millet Good and Healthy for Dogs?
Millet provides your dog with a variety of nutrients and an extra high protein content. The small grains have the advantage of being very filling and healthy at the same time. In particular, the content of iron in millet grains is high, which is important for blood formation and oxygen supply. There is also no shortage of fiber and essential amino acids in this concentrated plant power. But that's not all; the contained fluoride supports teeth and bones, while vitamin C forms the basis for immune defense. The easy digestibility** makes millet an excellent ingredient for four-legged friends with →food allergies. Perhaps your four-legged friend also has a →pancreatic disease, for which millet is a great alternative in food.
We also know how valuable millet is for nutrition. In our wet food, we combine juicy →lamb with millet, peas, and pear or →turkey with millet, cottage cheese, and mango into a delicious treat that provides plenty of protein and, above all, ensures the best taste.
Mach deinem Hund eine Dose Freude auf!
Even though millet technically belongs to the grains, it is not the type that forms the largest group when it comes to allergy-triggering components.
How Do I Feed Millet to My Dog?
One thing is for sure: Millet is easily digestible for your dog and is packed with nutrients, which is why you can use it in food with a clear conscience. If you want to swing the cooking spoon yourself and prepare a delicious meal for your four-legged friend, you should first talk to nutrition experts about the [→species-appropriate and healthy nutrition](/magazin/hunde/hunde-ernaehrung/was-bedeutet-artgerechte-hundeernaehrung) of dogs. Home-cooked food may be fresh, but it can quickly lead to deficiencies if you don't know exactly which nutrients your dog needs in what amounts. It’s all about the right dosage of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and fiber.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Hirse spendet deinem Hund sowohl Eiweiße als auch Kohlenhydrate, Fette, Ballaststoffe, Mineralstoffe und Vitamine - ein echter Alleskönner (oder eher Alleskörner) also!
Do you love freshness for your dog? Our BARF menus provide your four-legged friend, in combination with a rich oil and our mineral mix, with everything your dog needs for their daily life.
Entdecke unsere BARF Frische-Menüs und werde ganz leicht zum Profi!
You can occasionally mix cooked millet into your dog's food without worries - as a refinement, so to speak. To do this, you can thoroughly rinse the grain and then simmer it in a ratio of 1:2 with water for about 5 minutes and then let it swell covered for 30 minutes, so that your four-legged friend has an enjoyable time eating and digesting it.
Feeding raw grains is not a good idea because protein-damaging enzymes are active in this state. Heating renders these harmless. If you notice that your dog has →diarrhea, →vomiting, and →constipation from millet, they may not tolerate it well, or you need to introduce them to the grain more slowly - start with small amounts, such as a teaspoon.
If you want to integrate millet permanently into the diet, keep in mind that the grains also provide carbohydrates and fats, and the →feeding amount must be adjusted accordingly. Otherwise, the nutritional needs will be exceeded and →overweight can be the result. A balanced diet also includes fresh components such as fruits and vegetables as well as herbs.
Millet Flakes for Dogs: How to Prepare Them Correctly
In addition to millet grains, which need to swell to be eaten or fed, there are also millet flakes. The advantage: The millet flakes are already steamed and thus also contain no phytic acid without the need for prior heating at home.
Still, pay attention to the usage instructions on the packaging. Generally, you can simply mix the millet flakes into the dog food, although your four-legged friend will have a more pleasant experience if you let them soak for about 5 minutes. This way, your four-legged friend gains all the benefits from the millet grains and you save some time with the short preparation time.
