Opinions differ on whether bulgur is compatible with dogs. The taste of bulgur is reminiscent of rice, which is why many furry friends love the grain and can’t get enough of it.
So if your dog likes rice, he’ll be happy to have bulgur in his food bowl. However, bulgur is one of the durum wheat products, just like pasta. For this reason, dogs should not eat bulgur.
Bulgur in dogs with allergies?
Curiously, more and more dogs are allergic to protein compounds from pork, beef, turkey, or chicken. It is then not so easy to find a suitable one for your furry friend from the many different ready-made foods with high animal components.
Perhaps grain has even become an integral part of your daily feeding routine due to an intolerance. Then, alongside rice and potatoes, you can try bulgur for your dog for a change. Small amounts of grain in your dog’s bowl are not harmful. Above all, it fills you up for a long time.
What is bulgur?
Bulgur comes from the Middle East. It’s hard to imagine kitchens there without it. In Turkey and other oriental regions, bulgur is considered a staple food, similar to bread in this country.
To obtain bulgur, durum wheat semolina is soaked in water and then steamed. With this gentle process, the important vitamins and nutrients migrate from the outer shell of the grain to the inner layers.
After the semolina has dried again, the shells are removed. The remaining grains are now ground and bottled. Because bulgur is steamed during production, you only have to soak it in hot water for a few minutes during preparation. He swells up.
Bulgur has a slightly nutty, tart flavor and can be prepared in many different ways. You can serve the cereal grains as a salad, as an accompaniment to meat, or as a soup ingredient.
Important ingredients of bulgur
Bulgur provides a lot of iron, magnesium, and fiber. It also contains plenty of B vitamins and vegetable protein. In addition, its fat content is quite low. The vitamin E it also contains has a health-promoting effect on rheumatic diseases and vascular calcification.
In bulgur, you will also find the minerals phosphorus and calcium, which are vital for human and animal organisms.
Grain has become somewhat more digestible for the dog’s body due to the domestication of the dog. However, the majority of your pet’s diet should still consist of meat. BARF as a nutritional philosophy hits this mark.
Bulgur is a bland diet for dogs
In between, there can always be an imbalance in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. This happens quickly when he has eaten something wrong or through the administration of medication.
Stress is another important factor and has a lot of impact on your pet’s stomach. Consequences include diarrhea or bloating and stomach pain. It is important to mitigate the stressors that are causing the discomfort as much as possible for your dog.
You can also help your four-legged friend by counteracting the hyperacidity in his stomach. Give your dog a special bland diet for a few days. This gives your dog’s body a chance to calm down and regenerate.
Boiled chicken or turkey is best suited for bland food because it is very easy for your four-legged friend to digest. In addition to meat, you should feed carbohydrates such as bulgur, potatoes, or rice so that your darling is full. Cook until very soft before feeding your dog.
The softer the food is at the end, the better and more tolerable it will be for your four-legged friend. You can stir in some cottage cheese or quark so that your dog gets enough protein during the bland diet. This way your furry friend will taste it even better. You should avoid all types of herbs and spices.
Can dogs eat bulgur?
Bulgur is versatile and offers many healthy ingredients for your dog. Nevertheless, some cereals are better tolerated than bulgur. This includes:
- rice
- millet
- oatmeal
These varieties are very low in allergies. And they don’t upset your darling’s stomach as much if he’s sensitive anyway.
But feel free to try out whether your dog tolerates bulgur well. Well cooked and swollen, it is a tasty addition to your four-legged friend’s diet.