Can dogs eat tofu?

Updated 25/04/2024

Tofu: it's been eaten for centuries in both South East and East Asia, and has recently made its debut in the west as a meat substitute due to the amount of protein packed into each block. Great in soups, stews and as the main event in a variety of noodle dishes, we wouldn't be surprised if it's got your furry friend's tail wagging each time it's sizzling in the pan or bubbling away in a broth. But can dogs eat tofu? Or is it one of those products our furry friends are better off without? Well luckily for your curious pup, dogs can eat tofu, but it should never substitute animal proteins - dogs need these to live a happy, healthy life. For more on all things dogs and tofu, take a look below as we crack the questions pet parents like you have on the topic.

Related article: Can dogs have cinnamon?

Is tofu poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs eat tofu in any way, shape or form and served with whatever gets their snout twitching? Or do we still need to tread with caution? Well luckily for your snack-curious furry pal, tofu doesn't contain any compounds or ingredients toxic to dogs. So, you can rest assured that your pooch can have a taste of tofu without experiencing any signs of toxicity. 

So is tofu safe for dogs if it's straight off your plate, then? We're going to say that unless you're eating tofu completely plain, it's a hard no. Why? Well many of the ingredients often served with tofu (like onion and garlic) are highly poisonous to dogs, so you'll need to be careful when serving the product up to your pup. And while tofu itself isn't toxic to dogs, our furry friends can certainly have food intolerances to soy products. So, always be cautious when trying your pooch with new foods, just in case their body rejects it.

Related article: Can dogs eat celery?

Is tofu good for dogs?

So while tofu has certainly earned its reputation as an incredibly healthy product in the world of 'people food', is it any good for our canine pals? Or is tofu bad for dogs when it comes down to it? Well, tofu shouldn't be making up the majority of your pup's bowl, nor should it be used as a substitute for complete dog food. Just to be clear, this isn't because tofu is 'bad' - it just does not contain enough protein by itself to support a healthy dog to thrive. There are vegetarian diets for dogs making their way into the market but this is still a new and rapidly changing area of nutritional science, so consult your vet before making dietary changes that remove animal proteins entirely. 

So, while there is certainly a breadth of nutrients in tofu, think of it as a treat for your furry pal, rather than a staple part of their diet. Plus as we've mentioned, there is a chance your pup might have an allergy to soy products, so watch out for the symptoms which include itchy skin, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

Related article: Can dogs eat shrimp?

Health benefits of eating tofu for dogs

As we've mentioned, a complete dog food is best to provide all the right proteins and other nutrients that your dog needs, but eating the odd cube of tofu every now and then will certainly add a nice range of nutrients to their diet. When it comes to the health benefits of tofu for dogs, it'll definitely add a hit of protein. In fact, per 100g tofu, you'll find around 8g protein (although we're not suggesting you share this much tofu with your pooch, but more on that later). Tofu is also rich in a range of minerals including calcium, manganese and iron, which support the growth of healthy bones and joints, healthy nervous system functioning and transportation of oxygen around the body. Vitamin A also helps to support healthy vision, bone growth and immune response. And the best part? Tofu is incredibly low in saturated fat, which makes it a pretty healthy snack for your pooch if served plain.  

Related article: Can dogs eat peaches?

Feeding your dog tofu

So can dogs have tofu served in the same way as us humans? Well as it’s often served with garlic, onion, soy sauce and chili, it's a hard no - these ingredients are harmful to canine health. Instead, serve up your pup's tofu completely plain, and never add any additional fats or oils when warming it through. And can dogs eat tofu raw? Certainly - served straight out of the packet is perfectly safe for your furry friend.

Related article: Can dogs eat pistachios?

Other soy products

So now we’ve cleared up your query - can dogs have tofu - what about other soy products? Let’s take a look.

Can dogs have miso?

Miso isn't safe for canine consumption, even if your pooch doesn't have an intolerance to soy products. Why? It's incredibly high in sodium which is bad news for our furry friends.

Can dogs eat tempeh?

Plain tempeh itself is often safe for dogs to eat, but we recommend always checking the ingredient list as it can contain ingredients toxic to dogs, like garlic or onion. And if you're still unsure or worried, have a chat with your vet.

Can dogs have soy sauce?

Never feed soy sauce to your pup, or any foods prepared with it. Soy sauce is incredibly high in salt which is bad for canine health.

Meet our veterinary expert, Greg

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Greg Steele MA VETMB MRCVS. A mixed vet working in the UK since qualifying from Cambridge University in 2015. Greg enjoys working with all species of animals in all settings, but equally takes pride in communication and education of clients too. He lives with his wife and their cat, and enjoys a variety of sports, gardening, and the great outdoors.

Other foods that are safe for dogs

So, we've settled the question - can dogs eat tofu - but what about the other foods dogs can eat? Take a look below to get started.

• Radish
• Cilantro
• Quinoa