Can Dogs Eat Tofu or Not? What Science Says

Written by Kristin Hitchcock
Published: October 10, 2022
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Tofu is a bit of a strange food. Once upon a time, it was billed as a healthy food that was a great option for those trying to eat less meat. However, there are now several risks being reported involving tofu – and you may be wondering if these also apply to your dog. In this article, we will discover if tofu is safe for your dogs to eat.

Can Dogs Eat Tofu?

tofu

Giving tofu to your dog is neither wrong nor right.

©iStock.com/bhofack2

Unlike most foods, there is not a clear-cut answer regarding dogs eating tofu. It likely shouldn’t be a huge part of their diet. However, it isn’t odd to find tofu in treats or foods. You’ll also find many people arguing for and against tofu in dog food and as a treat.

In the end, it is likely okay for your dog to consume some tofu. However, it should be kept in mind that tofu can affect hormonal levels, specifically estrogen. Furthermore, soybeans (which are used to make tofu) are extremely high in pesticides. (So high, in fact, that pregnant women are recommended to avoid tofu.)

Therefore, while tofu isn’t the worst thing your dog can eat, it does contain some problems you should be aware of. Very few studies have been done on tofu at all, especially when it comes to dogs. Therefore, we simply don’t know how phytoestrogen and pesticides may affect our canines.

Tofu Nutrients

Most people know that tofu is very high in protein. Therefore, this fact is often used to argue that tofu is a suitable treat (and food ingredient) for dogs. However, the plant-based protein in tofu is not the same as meat-based protein. While it does contain essential amino acids, that doesn’t mean that your dog can digest them well.

The truth is that there simply haven’t been many studies done on dogs and plant-based proteins. However, we do know that cats do not absorb plant-based proteins well. Therefore, it is possible that dogs could have a similar problem with plant-based proteins.

Luckily, tofu is quite low in carbohydrates. Therefore, it works well for dogs that are overweight.

Phytoestrogens in Tofu

Tofu is known for containing phytoestrogens. These chemicals are connected to estrogen receptors in the body. In this way, they make the body think that there is more estrogen in the body than there actually is. As you can imagine, this can lead to several issues (potentially).

However, phytoestrogens are still not very well understood. Therefore, we don’t know how dangerous they are or aren’t. Furthermore, they will likely affect dogs differently from humans, and there simply haven’t been that many studies done on dogs.

We know that phytoestrogens don’t act exactly like estrogen. For instance, it does not lead to increased maturation in female humans. Of course, that doesn’t mean they would not lead to some maturation differences in dogs.

There are many misconceptions that tofu may be linked to increased cancer risk due to these phytoestrogens. However, studies have found that this isn’t the case in humans.

Potential Hazards with Tofu Consumption

spay a dog at petsmart

Tofu is made from soy and can trigger an allergy in your dog.

©Prystai/Shutterstock.com

There are a few hazards that we know could happen when a dog eats tofu. Again, because there simply hasn’t been many studies done on dogs eating tofu, we don’t know much for certain.

However, we do know that dogs can become allergic to soy. Because tofu is made out of soy, it may trigger an allergic reaction in dogs that are allergic to this substance. Often, signs of food allergies in dogs aren’t what you’d expect. Excessive scratching is the primary symptom, for example.

If you notice that your dog is chewing and scratching excessively after consuming soy, it may be allergic.

Most dogs aren’t used to eating soy. Therefore, they may develop digestive issues. However, these usually aren’t serious and remedy themselves quickly. Gassiness, bloating, stomach upset, and diarrhea are all common, especially if dogs are given large amounts of tofu.

If your dog experiences these symptoms, you should stop feeding them tofu. While some dogs can adjust to consuming tofu, others simply cannot.

As we’ve already stated, there is some evidence that hormonal imbalances may occur from excessive tofu consumption. Remember, our dogs are typically much smaller than a person, so it takes less tofu to affect them in this way. Hormonal imbalances can lead to behavioral problems and maybe thyroid issues.

Because tofu contains a lot of silicates, it can trigger kidney stones. Typically, this only occurs in dogs that are prone to kidney stones. However, it can also make kidney stones occur in dogs that haven’t previously had them.

Potential Benefits of Tofu

With all that said, there are also some cases where tofu may be beneficial to dogs. For instance, tofu is extremely nutrient-dense while being high in protein. Therefore, it may help dogs lose weight. It is also high in fiber, which can make dogs feel fuller after their meal.

Sometimes, dogs that are prone to bladder stones may be put on a low-purine diet. Luckily, tofu is extremely low in this substance (more so than animal proteins). Therefore, it works well for these specific dogs. Of course, you should speak to your vet if you believe your dog may benefit from a plant-based diet in this way.

In other circumstances, dogs with liver problems may need to eat fewer animal proteins, as they tend to be harder on the liver. On these occasions, the vet may recommend plant-based proteins. Because tofu is very high in these proteins, it is a good option for these dogs.

Similarly, dogs with very bad allergies to a range of animal proteins may find that plant-based proteins work best. In these circumstances, tofu can be a solid protein choice, especially if the dog’s allergies are severe.

How to Feed Tofu to Dogs

If you decide that tofu is a solid choice for your canine for one reason or another, there are many different varieties to choose from. Usually, store-bought tofu doesn’t require much processing and can be given as it is. Often, you can use chunks of tofu as a treat or add tofu to your dog’s regular meals.

Most tofu varieties have very few ingredients. For instance, soybeans, water, and some coagulants are often present. Beware of tofu with added seasonings. While these seasonings are often completely okay for humans, they aren’t always safe for dogs. Therefore, it is best to purchase plain tofu.

After you’ve opened tofu, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 1 week by submerging it in water inside of a jar or other container. You will need to change the water every day or so, however.

If you purchase tofu in bulk, you can freeze it for up to 5 months in its original packaging.

Before feeding any tofu blocks to your dog, be sure to rinse them to remove any potential contamination.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/bhofack2

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About the Author

Kristin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering dogs, cats, fish, and other pets. She has been an animal writer for seven years, writing for top publications on everything from chinchilla cancer to the rise of designer dogs. She currently lives in Tennessee with her cat, dogs, and two children. When she isn't writing about pets, she enjoys hiking and crocheting.

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