Can dogs eat sesame seeds?

Sesame seeds are tiny and soft enough to pass easily. The few seeds on a bread roll or cracker that a dog eats are not a concern. If you want to add them to food, a pinch of toasted, unsalted seeds is plenty.

Sesame has around 570 calories per 100 g, about half from fat.

Tahini is ground sesame paste. Plain tahini is not toxic but is very rich; a tablespoon has about 90 calories. A thin smear is the most to share. Many tahini dressings and sauces add garlic, lemon and salt, which make them unsuitable.

Hummus combines tahini with garlic, which is toxic to dogs. Halva is sesame paste mixed with sugar, and sometimes chocolate or pistachios. Sesame snaps are sesame seeds bound with sugar or honey. Sesame oil in stir-fries comes with soy sauce, garlic and ginger. None of these are dog treats.

Sesame is a common allergen in people. Food allergies in dogs more often involve animal proteins such as chicken or beef, but any food can cause a reaction. If your dog develops itching, ear problems or tummy upset after eating sesame, stop giving it and speak to your vet.

Everything bagel seasoning, a popular topping, combines sesame and poppy seeds with dried garlic and onion. A bagel with this topping is not a safe snack for a dog, even though the sesame itself is harmless.