Can dogs eat Safflower seeds?

Overview

Can dogs eat safflower seeds? Yes, safflower seeds are edible to dogs, but they should be consumed in minimal quantities. Eating too much safflower seeds will make them clump together in the digestive tract of dogs and cause intestinal blockage.

Benefits

Safflower seeds are typically used as bird feed and also used for human consumption for their oil or as a food dye.
Safflower seed oil and the flower contain linolenic and linoleic acids that can lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease in humans.

Risks

Raw safflower seeds have a slightly bitter taste and might not be palatable to dogs.
When consumed excessively, the seeds may swell or become clumped together, causing a severe gastrointestinal obstruction.
Safflower seeds are not known to be toxic to dogs; birds and mice are known to eat them in the wild. Though safflowers are found as an ingredient in some dog food, there is no direct study that has been done on the suitability of feeding safflower seeds to dogs.