Reviewed by Dr. Luciano de Gatica
Updated on 07/22/2024
Reading time 4 min.
Overview
Severity: Low
Life stage: All
Your dog may give you puppy eyes while nibbling on a delightful treat, such as mochi, but is it healthy for dogs to consume mochi? Even though many desserts and sugary foods are safe to consume, some should be avoided. One of them is mochi, a human delicacy but toxic to dogs.
Mochi should not be given to dogs due to its high sugar content and inability to digest sticky rice flour properly. Therefore, choosing options that limit the likelihood of major health concerns is preferable.
Dog and mochi
Is mochi terrible for dogs?
Yes, mochi can harm dogs if the contents are not carefully analyzed. It is hazardous due to its glutinous composition and thick, dense, and sticky, which can cause choking, particularly in puppies.
In addition, dogs cannot correctly digest mochi, a Lunar New Year’s treat made from sticky rice flour, which may cause bloating and tension in the dog’s internal organs. Plus. Feeding this food to your dog regularly may also cause lung difficulties or pancreatitis.
What does mochi compose of?
Typically, mochi, a sweet rice cake ball with a chewy texture, is produced with short-grain glutinous rice, as this variety gives mochi its chewy texture. This glutinous rice is known as mocha rice, hence the name of this food item.
Traditionally, mochi was created by soaking short-grain sticky rice in water for 10 to 12 hours overnight. This gave the sticky rice a soft, uniform texture and enhanced its flavor. The rice is then cooked until it attains a smooth texture and becomes elastic.
You will now see that it is flexible, velvety, and sticky. The rice is then crushed with a mortar and a hard mallet while adding water to obtain the desired texture and consistency. However, modern mochi is created using the most advanced equipment and techniques, cornstarch, sugar, and Japanese sticky rice flours. According to the desired texture and flavor, the ingredients are added.
Can canines consume mochi ice cream?
Even as a treat, dogs should not be served mochi ice cream. Even if there is no immediate danger, your dog will suffer the repercussions if you make it a habit. It has a high sugar level, which is harmful to puppies.
Mochi ice cream is essentially manufactured with the same ingredients as mochi, such as sugar, green tea leaf powder, and rice dough, making it dangerous for dogs – says Dr. Luciano de Gatica
Conclusion
Although you may be tempted to give your dog some mochi, you should avoid doing so whenever feasible. Even though dogs will consume nearly anything, you must ensure their health.
Mochi and other sweets containing sugar, starch, caffeine, etc., must be avoided at all costs. And suppose your dog develops symptoms after swallowing these foods by mistake. In this situation, you should either administer medication or seek veterinarian assistance.
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Writen by
Dr. Luciano de Gatica
DVM
Luciano de Gatica graduated in 2005, as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, from Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) in Argentina. He gained extensive experience in the field of…