You love your dog, and it's important to you to feed them a healthy diet to keep them active, energetic and happy for years to come. Some ingredients, though, certainly might make you wonder if they are safe for your pup. There's a good chance that soy is one of those ingredients... can dogs eat soy? Are products like soy sauce safe for your dog? Some people think of it as a healthy addition to a diet while others say to avoid it. Let's explore whether soy is a healthy ingredient in dog food and if it can be eaten in various forms.
For the most part, yes, dogs can consume soy as long as they don't have a diagnosed soy allergy. However, it matters how much soy your dog is ingesting.
Always consult your veterinarian before feeding anything new to your dog. If you're introducing it to your pet's diet and don't know how they'll react, start slow. Only introduce one new type of food at a time so you can identify if there are any reactions to the new food. Also, if you do notice any type of reaction, contact your veterinarian right away to determine if your pet is having an allergic reaction.
Currently, studies say yes. In an article for Your Dog from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts veterinary nutritionist Cailin Heinze, VMD, DACVM, says, "Some people think soy is being used in diets as a cheap, inferior replacement for meat, but that's not the case. It's not inferior. Soy is the best quality of the plant proteins [...] While some animal proteins are more digestible and usable by dogs, other animal proteins aren't as good as soy. So having soy protein in a diet doesn't mean the protein quality is bad, and having meat or other animal protein in a diet doesn't mean that the protein quality is good."
In fact, soy has many benefits — it's high in vitamins, folic acid and amino acids. It also contains a good concentration of fatty acids, and it's a good source of fiber and potassium.
Feeding your dog too much of some of the most common soy options may not be the healthiest choice. Not sure what food has soy in it? Tofu, edamame, miso, tempeh and tamari are some of the most common soy foods. And don't forget soy-based products, such as soy milk, soy cheese, soy yogurt and more.
Sometimes soy is just one of many ingredients in a food. You'll often find soy in baked goods, cereals, peanut butter, vegetable oil, high-protein energy bars to name a few.
As mentioned before, soy has some inherently great benefits for your dog, but when mixed in with other ingredients in some common foods it can create problems for your dog.
Take soy sauce as an example. Can dogs eat soy sauce? The answer is no, but not because of the soy content. Soy sauce is loaded with sodium, and ingesting too much sodium could make your pet quite ill. If you ever find that your dog has licked up some soy sauce, make sure your pet drinks plenty of water.
Overall, it's best to limit your dog's food intake to healthy dog food and dog treats so you don't have to worry about your pet ingesting something unhealthy, or too much of something that is allowed. But if you've ever had concern on whether or not soy as an ingredient in your dog's food is bad for them, you can rest easy. A properly balanced meal containing soy can be ripe with benefits. When in doubt, your vet can help plan your dog's dietary options.
Erin Ollila believes in the power of words and how a message can inform—and even transform—its intended audience. Her writing can be found all over the internet and in print, and includes interviews, ghostwriting, blog posts, and creative nonfiction. Erin is a geek for SEO and all things social media. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Reach out to her on Twitter @ReinventingErin or learn more about her at http://erinollila.com.
A delicious complement to the nutrition of Science Diet Small Paws 7+ dry dog food
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Supports healthy joints, lean muscle, and beautiful coat for large breed dogs
Supports healthy joints, immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful coat
Gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & supporting development in growing puppies
Fewer calories for less active large breed dogs
Advanced nutrition to support hip & joint health from day one
Supports healthy immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful coat
Tailored nutrition for less active adult Small & Mini dogs requiring a low calorie food to help maintain a healthy weight & lifestyle. Specially made with nibble size kibble.
Chicken & Beef recipe with precisely balanced nutrition to keep adult dogs active and healthy
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome for dogs age 7+. Delicious food in a small bite size
Turkey & Barley recipe with precisely balanced nutrition to keep dogs active and healthy
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin dry dog food is gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & promoting a lustrous coat. In a delicious small bite size
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
A delicious complement to the nutrition of Science Diet Small & Mini dog food
Chicken & Barley recipe with precisely balanced nutrition to support mobility and muscle mass for older dogs
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome. Delicious food in a large bite size
Learn what pyoderma in dogs looks like, what causes it and how nutrition & your dog's food can play a role in preventing and treating the infection.
Your dog has stopped eating, but why? Learn common reasons why he doesn't seem interested in food and how you can get him back to a normal eating routine.
Learn to recognize the signs of congestive heart failure in dogs so you can give your dog the best chance of a longer, healthier life.
Learn how to recognize the signs of pulmonary hypertension in dogs and complications that you should take care to avoid if he suffers from this condition.
Discover how to talk to dogs in a way they can understand and learn common physical responses you may notice when talking to a dog.
Learn the most common reasons your dog might be losing hair, including how to spot differences between ordinary shedding and a parasitic problem.
Learn whether dogs can actually get warts and their similarities to other skin growths, as well as whether they can be harmful for your dog.
While getting a dog to take a pill can be tricky, learn valuable tips for helping them to take pills, liquids and other medications without a fuss.
My Dog Ate Raw Chicken: What Should I Do?
Learn important features and considerations when choosing a dog harness, including the style, material, proper fit and durability.
Learn why dogs bark at the sound of the doorbell ringing and how to train them not to.
Why does my dog look so sad? Your pooch might just be looking for your love & attention. Discover other potential reasons for your dog's sad puppy eyes.
Whether you're taking your dog on a road trip, camping, or flying with him, use these helpful travel checklists to make sure you pack everything he needs.
Learn about the pregnancy cycle in dogs, including how long they are usually pregnant and details about each trimester.
Understand what it means for your female dog to be in heat and what you can do to provide her with the best care.
Learn what types of dog behavior mean for your best buddy's health and well-being. Once you notice his signals and moods, you'll know how to help him.
Learn whether or not dogs truly have best friends, including information on their loyalty to humans and behavioral tendencies to support the idea.
Discover the different nutrient requirements for your dog through each of his lifestages and how you can keep him happy, healthy and fit to play.
Discover easy and effective methods for teaching your dog to play fetch, including commands to use and how rewards can help him learn the game.
Brown rice is a common ingredient in many human foods, but can your dog eat it? Learn the truth about brown rice and if it is actually good for your dog.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
©2025 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool