Can Dogs Eat Kimchi? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Important Considerations

Sharing food with your dog is always tempting, but some treats are unsuitable for canines. Kimchi is a fermented food, and if it is one of your favorites, you may wonder if your dog can share in the experience.

Dogs can eat kimchi, and it can provide many health benefits to their diet. However, this depends on what is in the kimchi, as some ingredients are unsafe for dogs to consume.

 In this article, we’ll share which ingredients are harmful and how this fermented dish can benefit your dog.

Is Kimchi Safe for Dogs?

The ingredients in kimchi can vary, but typically they include vegetables, ginger, garlic, salt, chili peppers, and fish sauce that are pickled and fermented. Cabbage is the most frequently used vegetable, but others can include cucumber, radish, carrots, and scallions.

The problem with feeding kimchi to your dog is that most kimchi recipes include members of the Allium genus, which are listed as toxic to dogs. If you prepare the kimchi in your home and ensure that it does not contain onion, garlic, spring onions, scallion, shallots, any member of the Allium genus, or chili, then kimchi can be safe for your dog to eat in small amounts. However, commercially available kimchi does include some ingredients that are not safe for dogs to eat, so you need to avoid those. To understand how safe kimchi is for your dog, we will explain how dogs react to the different ingredients used in kimchi’s preparation.

Are Kimchi Vegetables Safe for Dogs?

Although other vegetables can be used to make kimchi, cabbage is usually the main ingredient.

Cabbage is a source of fiber and antioxidants, which benefit your dog's digestive system. However, it can cause flatulence. Cabbage is also a source of potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, folate, riboflavin, and vitamins A, K, and B6.

Carrots are great for dogs, but they must be given to dogs in moderation due to their high sugar content. They contain beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A, and are high in fiber and low in calories.

Radishes are safe for your dog in small amounts. Radishes contain a lot of fiber and calcium. As a source of fiber, they can help your dog's digestion by keeping bowel movements regular, which prevents constipation and diarrhea.

Onions and garlic are typically used to prepare kimchi and are toxic to dogs. Eating onions can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain in dogs, as they damage red blood cells, leading to anemia. Garlic is a part of the same plant genus and can also have a toxic effect. These two ingredients are not always included in high quantities, but we would recommend not taking the risk. This is especially important because they can have a cumulative effect on your dog, meaning that ingesting small amounts over several days will lead to intoxication.

In addition, kimchi might be too salty, since salt is necessary to prevent spoilage and overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria during the fermentation process. Therefore, offering your dog too much kimchi could have negative effects, so even in your homemade versions, moderation is important.

Are Spicy Foods Safe for Dogs?

Kimchi is not always spicy, but some recipes include chili peppers or spices. Although not toxic to dogs, chili will cause a burning sensation in your dog’s mouth and throat if consumed, and it can cause stomach issues such as gas and diarrhea. It can also cause your dog to vomit.

Humans have approximately 9,000 taste buds in their mouths. In contrast, dogs only have 1,700, indicating that they do not experience a wide range of flavors and will most likely not enjoy the spicy flavors.

Can Kimchi be Part of a Healthy Dog Diet?

Fermented foods are beneficial for humans as they contain live cultures that can improve your gut health. It is the same for dogs; they can also benefit from live cultures. Fermented foods, such as kimchi, are high in probiotics. Some fermented vegetables contain probiotic species like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus. However, the exact amount and species each batch contains is unknown.

Antibiotic medication, antibiotics and hormones in meat, and chemical preservatives in foods interfere with the normal GI microbiome balance. So, prebiotics and probiotics in the form of fermented food can aid in promoting your dog’s digestive health and boost their immune system. In fact, probiotics for dogs can be found as a supplement, which may be a better option because you will know exactly what kind and how much your pet is consuming. Probiotics are also included in many commercial dog food formulations because their health benefits are undeniable.

Fermented vegetables have intense flavors, and adding a small amount of vegetable juice is sometimes the best way to introduce them to your dog.

Conclusion

Kimchi can be a tasty and beneficial addition to your dog’s diet as long as it doesn’t contain garlic, onions, or spices. It is recommended that you make it yourself to avoid any unknown harmful ingredients. What is good for one dog may not be suitable for another, depending on their health, age, and diet, so it is always recommended to consult your veterinarian before feeding your dog any human cuisine.

Featured Image Credit: Yousuk Yang, Shutterstock