Can Dogs Eat Tofu?

Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan or simply like the taste, you may be wondering — can dogs eat tofu, too?

Tofu can be a healthy addition to our diet. But, before you add it to your dog’s bowl it’s important to learn more about it — including what it is, the benefits and why you might want to avoid it. 

Tofu is essentially condensed soy milk pressed into blocks. The soybeans that make up tofu are also processed into food products like soy sauce, tempeh and soybean oil.

Tofu is a good vegan protein that’s nutrient-dense (think calcium, selenium, and phosphorus). It’s low in calories and has benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease in humans. 

But the question is, is tofu good for dogs?

Dogs can eat tofu. It is not toxic to dogs but should be fed as an occasional treat and not as the main source of protein in their diet. 

Your dog will thrive on a vet-approved commercial food with meat sources of protein like chicken, beef and fish. If you were to replace the meat in the diet with tofu then they would not be getting enough protein. 

This could result in: 

• Lack of appetite
• Extreme fatigue
• Significant weight loss
• Weakened bones
• Stunted growth
• Poor coat
• Reduced ability to recover from injury and illness
• Behavioral changes

If you've tried your dog with tofu a few times and they hesitate to eat it, then it’s likely they don’t enjoy the taste and would prefer to simply have meat which is much more beneficial for them. 

Tofu isn’t technically raw so both you and your dog could eat it uncooked, if you wanted to. However, this can be more difficult for them to digest and could cause digestive issues, so it's best to cook it. 

How to cook and serve tofu to your dog

It’s best to choose firm, plain tofu and remove the moisture. Then this can be boiled or steamed. You can also bake or pan-fry it, but it may not be as soft and therefore easy for them to chew and digest. Once cooked, let it cool down and then serve as it is — don’t add sauces or seasonings, especially those that are harmful to dogs such as garlic. 

This could be cut into small, bite-sized pieces and fed as a treat or added to their meal, perhaps with some vegetables. Just remember, as with everything, to not overfeed them and ensure they are enjoying it alongside a balanced diet. 

It’s important that our dogs eat a well-balanced diet which includes food they enjoy the taste of and is beneficial to their health. Check out our friends over at Dog Food Advisor for advice including the best wet food and the best dry food. 

Tofu is low in carbs and fat while being high in protein and fiber. So, it may be particularly beneficial to add this to the diet of dogs that are overweight to help with their weight loss. 

You know it’s high in protein but did you know tofu has 8 grams of protein in every 100 gram serving? Just one benefit of protein is that it helps to repair and strengthen muscles - which can be particularly important for all dogs, especially highly active ones.

However, while this may sound high it’s not actually enough to meet a dog's nutritional needs. Plus, the protein they get from meat is not only more beneficial, it’s also easier for their system to process. This is why tofu is a great source of additional protein but should never replace meat.  

Dogs that may particularly benefit from plant-based protein in their diet, however, are those with liver disease. Dogs with conditions such as congenital portosystemic shunts may do well on a diet with a soy-base.

Also, if you purchase hypoallergenic dog food for a pup with allergies then you may find that soy is the protein source. So, dogs that are allergic to meat may benefit from tofu more than those that aren’t. 

While tofu isn’t toxic to dogs, there are a few things you should be aware of before you decide whether you want to feed it to your pet or not. 

Firstly, tofu may increase the chance of bloat as some dogs will experience gas and bloating from soy. Bloat is a dangerous condition where the stomach can dilate and even rotate. This is life-threatening and can progress very quickly which is why a dog suspected to have bloat must be seen by a veterinarian right away.

Certain breeds are more susceptible to bloat than others — so, if this is your dog, it may be best to avoid this completely to be on the safe side. 

Tofu can cause kidney stones due to the high amount of silicate it contains and large amounts of soy can cause gastrointestinal upset for our pups. 

There is a chance your dog could be allergic to tofu so you should always watch your pup afterward for signs of intolerance just to be on the safe side. Signs they have a soy allergy include diarrhea after eating it. You may also notice symptoms including constant licking, ear infection, inflammation of the eyes, and itchy skin.

It is also thought that the phytoestrogens found in soy could bring about hormonal imbalance, particularly in male dogs as well as pregnant and nursing dogs. It can also affect the hormone levels of puppies.

The result could be a poor quality coat, skin issues, and even thyroid problems. 

Feeding your dog tofu is not necessary for their health — and actually doesn’t provide that many health benefits, while there are some risks. 

It’s important to remember that meat is an essential part of your dog’s diet and must be included. But, if you’d like them to enjoy some meat-free food too, then there are plenty of options beside tofu. 

If you're looking for meat alternatives as a protein source for your dog, you could offer them: 

• Plain Greek yogurt
• Quinoa
• Oatmeal

There are also plenty of fruits and vegetables that are both delicious and come with a wide range of health benefits, including: 

• Apples
• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Strawberries
• Watermelon

But remember, before trying your dog on a new food or treat, it’s always a good idea to speak to your vet and ask for their opinion, especially if your pup suffers from any health conditions. 

While tofu isn’t toxic to our dogs, some human food is. If they eat anything they shouldn’t such as chocolate or grapes, then they will need to be seen by a vet  straight away. If this happens, you want to make sure you have a good insurance policy.

Browse and compare the best pet insurance plan for peace of mind today.