Grains & Sides · Food guide
Can dogs eat buckwheat?
Only rarely and in small amounts, if at all. A study from LMU Munich found liver disease far more often in dogs that were fed buckwheat and advises against it.
Not a substitute for advice from your vetUpdated Oct 24, 2026
AI imageWhat's in buckwheat?
Composition per 100 g
Energy and macros
| Energy | 115 kcal |
| Protein | 4.4 g |
| Fat | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 21 g |
| Fiber | 1.9 g |
| Water | 68.5 g |
Minerals
| Calcium | 5 mg |
| Phosphorus | 118 mg |
| Ca : P ⓘ | 0.05 : 1 |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Potassium | 120 mg |
| Magnesium | 67 mg |
| Iron | 0.8 mg |
| Zinc | 0.5 mg |
| Copper | 140 µg |
| Iodine | – |
Vitamins and fatty acids
| Vitamin A | 0 µg RE |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg |
| Vitamin E | 0.1 mg |
| Linoleic acid | 0.3 g |
| Omega-3 | 0.02 g |
| EPA | 0 g |
| DHA | 0 g |
Source: Max Rubner-Institut. (2025). Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel (BLS), Version 4.0 — Deutsche Nährstoffdatenbank. doi.org
Composition per 100 g
Energy and macros
| Energy | 339 kcal |
| Protein | 13.1 g |
| Fat | 3.1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 61.9 g |
| Fiber | 5.5 g |
| Water | 13.3 g |
Minerals
| Calcium | 14 mg |
| Phosphorus | 403 mg |
| Ca : P ⓘ | 0.04 : 1 |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Potassium | 448 mg |
| Magnesium | 200 mg |
| Iron | 2.7 mg |
| Zinc | 2.9 mg |
| Copper | 527 µg |
| Iodine | – |
Vitamins and fatty acids
| Vitamin A | 0 µg RE |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg |
| Vitamin E | 0.3 mg |
| Linoleic acid | 0.94 g |
| Omega-3 | 0.06 g |
| EPA | 0 g |
| DHA | 0 g |
Source: Max Rubner-Institut. (2025). Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel (BLS), Version 4.0 — Deutsche Nährstoffdatenbank. doi.org
Composition per 100 g
Energy and macros
| Energy | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 12.5 g |
| Fat | 3.1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 65.1 g |
| Fiber | 5.9 g |
| Water | 12 g |
Minerals
| Calcium | 15 mg |
| Phosphorus | 406 mg |
| Ca : P ⓘ | 0.04 : 1 |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Potassium | 433 mg |
| Magnesium | 198 mg |
| Iron | 2.6 mg |
| Zinc | 2.9 mg |
| Copper | 513 µg |
| Iodine | – |
Vitamins and fatty acids
| Vitamin A | 0 µg RE |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg |
| Vitamin E | 0.3 mg |
| Linoleic acid | 0.98 g |
| Omega-3 | 0.06 g |
| EPA | 0 g |
| DHA | 0 g |
Source: Max Rubner-Institut. (2025). Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel (BLS), Version 4.0 — Deutsche Nährstoffdatenbank. doi.org
Composition per 100 g
Energy and macros
| Energy | 355 kcal |
| Protein | 11.7 g |
| Fat | 2.7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 68.2 g |
| Fiber | 5.5 g |
| Water | 14.1 g |
Minerals
| Calcium | 33 mg |
| Phosphorus | 263 mg |
| Ca : P ⓘ | 0.13 : 1 |
| Sodium | 1 mg |
| Potassium | 680 mg |
| Magnesium | 200 mg |
| Iron | 2.2 mg |
| Zinc | 2.9 mg |
| Copper | 527 µg |
| Iodine | 2.5 µg |
Vitamins and fatty acids
| Vitamin A | 0 µg RE |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg |
| Vitamin E | 0.3 mg |
| Linoleic acid | 0.86 g |
| Omega-3 | 0.05 g |
| EPA | 0 g |
| DHA | 0 g |
Source: Max Rubner-Institut. (2025). Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel (BLS), Version 4.0 — Deutsche Nährstoffdatenbank. doi.org
Key facts at a glance
What to watch out for
- LMU Munich 2019: In Germany, 32% of dogs with buckwheat in their home-cooked food had liver disease, compared with 3.5% in the comparison group
- The study recommends leaving buckwheat out of dog food
- Don't use it as a regular side in home-cooked food or in a BARF plan
How to feed buckwheat the right way
- 1Use rice or rolled oats as a side instead
- 2Bake dog cookies with a different flour
Safety rating for each dog
Can Romeo handle buckwheat?
This page applies to dogs in general. In Kahuno, you add intolerances to the dog profile, and every ingredient gets a color-coded dot when you log it, checked for your dog specifically. Whoever feeds the dog in your household sees it right away.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the study advise against buckwheat?
Researchers at LMU Munich analyzed nutrition consultations for dogs on home-cooked diets. In Germany, 32% of dogs with buckwheat in their diet had liver disease, compared with 3.5% in the comparison group. In Russia, there was no clear difference. The cause is unknown, and the suspected compound, fagopyrin, could not be detected in the samples. The authors still recommend avoiding buckwheat (Lineva et al. 2019).
Can I bake dog cookies with buckwheat flour?
Better to use a different flour. There's no separate study on buckwheat flour; the study's warning applies to buckwheat in food in general. For treats you give regularly, another flour is the safer choice.
Is buckwheat linked to the cases of dry eye in dogs?
That's unclear. In 2026, more than 200 cases of sudden dry eye in dogs were reported in the UK. On Sep 23, 2026, BrAVO, the British association of veterinary ophthalmologists, stated that no link to any specific food, ingredient or manufacturer has been proven.
My dog ate buckwheat. What should I do?
The study looked at dogs that got buckwheat regularly in their food. It says nothing about single servings. Don't keep feeding it regularly, and call your vet if your dog seems sick.
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- Lineva, Tavčar Benković, Kreft, Kienzle 2019. Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe K 47(4): 242–246, Buchweizen in Hunderationen (LMU München), Zusammenfassung, Abschnitte „Results" und „Conclusion and clinical significance". Abgerufen am 24.10.2026.
- British Association of Veterinary Ophthalmologists: Statement on reports of acute bilateral dry eye in dogs (23.09.2026), Über 200 gemeldete Fälle, kein belegter Zusammenhang mit Futter oder Inhaltsstoff. Abgerufen am 24.10.2026.