Is Barley Good for Dogs? 3 Ways It Improves Their Health

Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM

Is barley good for dogs? Barley is one of the healthy human foods pawrents can give to their dogs. It is a good source of fiber and offers several health perks, such as better digestive function.

In this article, we will discuss how barley improves canine health and also tackle how to feed it to your pet without the risk of side effects.

3 Health Benefits of Barley to Dogs

You might be asking, “Why is barley good for dogs?” This cereal grain can help improve the health of canines in many ways, including:

1. Less Likely to Cause Fluctuations in Blood Sugar Levels

Barley is categorized as low glycemic food with a glycemic value usually ranging below 55, according to Diabetes Canada.

It is lower compared to certain plant-based food like white rice. This makes it a suitable food for diabetic dogs as it will not trigger significant spikes in their blood glucose levels.

One study mentioned that barley is rich in β-glucans and water-soluble fiber, which aid in maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

Experts believe that this cereal grain can help control chronic ailments in dogs like diabetes. However, more research is needed to know its full effect on their health.

2. Helps in Weight Management

Is barley good for dogs with obesity? Barley has shown potential in promoting weight loss in obese dogs.

In a recent study, researchers supplemented the diet of adult beagles with barley sprouts for over sixteen weeks. Findings indicated that those with the barley sprout diet exhibited 7.2 percent body weight reduction.

Moreover, experts also observed that barley sprouts have caused a positive change in the dogs’ gut microbiota ecosystem by reducing Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes bacteria levels. Both of these strains have been linked to obesity.

3. Promotes Better Gut Health

Barley contains soluble and insoluble fibers, which play a crucial role in keeping a healthy gut microbiome and ensuring better bowel movement.

Dietary fiber enhances the bulk of your canine companion’s stool, allowing for smoother fecal transit.

The β-glucans dogs acquire from barley have a promising effect on their digestive health as well. There has been plenty of scientific documentation noting down their probiotic effects, which could encourage a more healthy and diverse microbial community.

3 Dangers of Feeding Barley to Dogs

Is barley good for dogs? Barley is generally safe for dogs to consume, but it does have a few side effects pet owners should watch out for, such as:

1. Stomach Upset

Although the impressive fiber content of barley is great for your pet’s digestive system, eating too much of it can irritate the GI tract.

Over consuming the cereal grain makes it difficult for the stomach to digest all of its fiber.

Leftover fiber in the gut will start to ferment, causing gastrointestinal issues like flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal pains, and constipation.

Thus, feed barley to dogs in moderation unless the vet or a certified vet nutritionist requires barley to be a significant part of their diet.

Offer your dog only small amounts of barley if you plan to use this cereal grain to supplement his meals. Ideally, it should make up 10 percent of his diet.

For instance, if he consumes two cups of dog food daily, he can have three to four tablespoons of cooked barley.

Additionally, be sure to introduce barley into your furry pal’s diet in small amounts. Canines have sensitive stomachs and do not take well to consuming large quantities of new food.

2. Gluten Sensitivity

Is barley good for dogs? While most dogs are fine with eating barley, a fair few are not. Some dog breeds like the U.K. Irish Setters are predisposed to a rare genetic condition called gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

Consuming any grain that contains gluten can cause gastrointestinal distress, commonly in the form of diarrhea and weight loss.

Adding barley to your dog’s diet if he suffers from this illness is highly discouraged. The cereal grain is not gluten-free, meaning it could trigger symptoms of gluten sensitivity.

Whether you feed your dog commercial pet foods or homemade meals, be extra cautious of the ingredients. Always check to ensure that it is devoid of gluten-containing grains like barley.

3. Improper Absorption of Minerals

A handful of plant-based food like barley produces a compound named phytic acid. It functions as an antioxidant but also exhibits anti-nutrient effects.

When consumed, it prevents proper absorption of some minerals like zinc, iron, and calcium.

For this reason, feed barley to dogs in moderation to avoid risks of mineral deficiencies. If your pet is still a puppy, we suggest consulting a certified vet nutritionist first before giving him this cereal grain.

Receiving sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals is integral to the health growth and development of puppies. Consuming barley can hinder them from obtaining all the nutrients they can get from their meals.

How to Cook Barley for Your Dog

There are 2 common types of barley: whole grain and pearl. The whole grain variety also goes by the name hulled barley.

It undergoes slight processing to remove the tough outer hull without getting rid of the bran, which houses valuable nutrients.

On the other hand, pearl barley is heavily processed or “pearled” to remove the outer hull and bran, only leaving the endosperm intact.

Due to these differences, both whole grain and pearl barley require different preparations and cooking methods.

According to an article in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, hulled barley is a healthier option than the pearl variety. The removal of bran in the latter makes it lose several nutrients like B vitamins and iron.

Whole Grain Barley Preparation and Cooking

1. In a large bowl, pour three cups of water per one cup of whole grain barley. Leave it for about seven to eight hours or overnight. Soaking the cereal grain for a long time helps soften its tough texture, allowing faster cooking time and better digestibility.
2. Drain the water and then rinse the soaked whole grain barley.
3. Fill a mid-sized pot with three cups of water. Add the barley.
4. Bring it to a boil over high heat.
5. Lower the heat and let it simmer for forty to forty-five minutes.
6. Remove the cooked whole grain barley from the heat. Drain any excess water if necessary.
7. Let it fully cool down before serving.

Pearl Barley Preparation and Cooking

1. Place one cup pearl barley in a colander and rinse it under gentle running water.
2. Put three cups of water and the rinsed pearl barley in a medium-sized pot.
3. Bring it to a boil and reduce the heat. Only let it simmer for twenty to thirty minutes, since pearl barley cooks quickly due to being devoid of any hull and bran.
4. Turn off the heat, strain the cooked barley, and allow it to cool down before feeding it to your pooch.

FAQs About Barley for Dogs

1. Is Barley Grass Safe for Dogs?

Barley grass is safe for most dogs, but pawrents of pooches with gluten sensitivity must stay cautious. Although barley grass products are commonly labeled as gluten-free, cross-contamination may still occur.

2. Can Diabetic Dogs Have Barley Flour?

Yes, diabetic dogs can have barley flour as it has a 30 glycemic index. Feeding it to them will not cause their blood glucose to shoot up to alarming levels.

For pawrents who love to bake their diabetic dogs treats, barley flour can be used as an alternative to regular wheat flour, which possesses an 85 glycemic index.

Conclusion

Is barley good for dogs? Canines can benefit from having barley in their meals. It boosts their gut health, improves their bowel movement, and aids in weight loss.

As it is a low-glycemic food, this cereal grain can be safely given to diabetic dogs.

However, barley has a fair few caveats you should be aware of. For instance, it has antinutrients that impede proper mineral absorption.

Its high fiber levels can cause stomach problems if consumed excessively. Avoid this side effect by offering a small amount of barley.

If your pet suffers from gluten sensitivity, barley is one of the grains that are off-limits to him. Look for other alternatives instead, like soy, buckwheat, and quinoa.