Sorghum millet

What is sorghum?

Sorghum is a plant from the sweet grass family that grows in a similar way to maize or wheat. It forms small round grains that can be white, yellow, red or brown, depending on the variety. Sorghum is very robust and undemanding and can also thrive in dry areas.

Sorghum millet contains many nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins (especially B vitamins) and minerals (especially iron, magnesium and zinc). It is also rich in unsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid. A particular advantage of sorghum millet is its high silica content, which is good for the skin and hair.

Another advantage of sorghum millet is its lack of gluten, which can lead to intolerances or allergies in some dogs. Sorghum millet is therefore also suitable for food-sensitive dogs or those with a gluten intolerance.

How can sorghum millet be fed to dogs?

Sorghum millet can be fed to dogs raw or cooked. However, it should only be given raw in small quantities as it can otherwise be difficult to digest. When cooked, it becomes softer and swells up. You can either buy it as flakes or cook it yourself.

To cook sorghum millet yourself, first wash it thoroughly and then boil it in a 1:3 ratio with water. Then leave to simmer on a low heat for around 20 minutes until the water has been absorbed.

You can add sorghum millet to meat or vegetables as a side dish or use it as the main ingredient in a homemade feed. However, care should be taken to ensure that the overall ration remains balanced and contains all the nutrients the dog needs.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of sorghum millet for dogs?

Like any food, sorghum millet has advantages and disadvantages for dogs. Here are some of them:

Advantages

• It is gluten-free and therefore well tolerated by dogs with a gluten intolerance or allergy.
• It contains many nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
• It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid.
• It has a high content of silicic acid, which is good for skin and hair.
• It is low in fat and therefore suitable for overweight dogs.

Disadvantages

• It can be difficult to digest raw and cause flatulence.
• It has a high glycemic index (GI), which means that it causes blood sugar levels to rise quickly. This can be problematic for diabetics.
• It contains less protein than other cereals such as wheat or oats.
• It may contain traces of heavy metals.