Can dogs eat Tapioca?

Overview

Yes, tapioca in its flour form is safe for dogs. It is used in some pet food. However, feeding dogs other varieties of tapioca, such as pearls and flakes, is not recommended. They contain milk and sugar, which can cause gastric problems in dogs.

Benefits

Tapioca can be used as an alternative to grain-based starches used in making dog food and dog treats.

Risks

Tapioca is typically sold as flour, pearls, or flakes. Tapioca pearls and flakes are used in making pudding, which is not advisable to give to dogs due to its sugar and dairy content.
Tapioca pearls are a choking hazard as they are sticky and can get stuck in the throat. When consumed excessively, they could also lead to obstruction in the digestion system.
Tapioca offers minimum nutritional benefits to dogs; hence it's regarded as a low-grade dog food filler.