In recent years, barley grass has been growing in popularity as a superfood for humans; however, dogs eat grass naturally for thousands of years.
The main reason is that barley grass has been shown to have a wide range of health-promoting properties, including immune support, digestive health, detox, and reduction in joint pain and inflammation.
Barley grass is rich in chlorophyll, a molecule very close to hemoglobin in the blood, but also contains superoxide dismutase, lutonarin, saponarin, vitamins, minerals, and eight essential amino acids. [1] [2], which provides a wide range of health benefits to dogs and humans. The complete essential amino acid profile also makes barley grass one of the most well-known nutrient-dense foods.
Barley Grass: History and Ancient Traditions
Barley grass has been cultivated for thousands of years, with ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans recognizing its nutritional and medicinal properties. It is used for food, medicine, ritual, and is valued for its high nutrient content. Ancient physicians such as Hippocrates and Pliny the Elder used barley grass to treat diseases and digestive disorders.
A Closer Look at the Nutritional Benefits of Barley Grass for Dogs
Barley grass is rich in vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. These vitamins play important roles in maintaining a dog’s overall health. For example, vitamin A is important for vision, immune function, and skin health, while vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and supports immune function.
Barley grass contains important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. These minerals are important for, but not limited to, bone health, muscle function, and oxygen transport in the blood.
In fact, barley grass contains 11 times the calcium and 30 times the vitamin B1 found in cow’s milk, seven times the vitamin C of oranges, six times the carotene content of spinach, and four times the vitamin B1 content of wheat flour.
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Antioxidant Allies: Barley Grass and Canine Health
Barley grass contains antioxidants such as flavonoids and chlorophyll. Antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body which can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Saponarin in barley grass possesses strong antioxidant activity, which can prevent diseases caused by oxidative damage, such as various cancers, inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases. [3]
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Barley Grass and Canine Digestive Health
Barley grass is an excellent source of dietary fiber, which plays an important role in digestive health. It promotes regular bowel movements, prevents constipation, and supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and microbiome health. It also plays an important role in blood sugar regulation and reducing the risk of obesity in dogs.
Barley grass can also help calm gastrointestinal inflammation in colitis, pancreatitis, and improve the function of the intestinal lining. [4] [5] [6].
The Role of Barley Grass in Your Dog’s Mobility
The wide variety of bioactive compounds in barley grass include saponarin, an important functional component with natural anti-inflammatory properties. [7].
A study also confirmed that extracts from barley grass showed remarkable efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Our fermented joint and mobility product JointButter contains this beneficial plant.
To learn more, click the link below.
FAQ for Barley Grass for Dogs:
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How much barley grass is safe for dogs?
As with other super vegetables, feeding 1-3 teaspoons per day based on your dog’s size should be fine. Large amounts of barley grass can cause digestive problems such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. In such cases, reduce the amount and re-evaluate the dose.
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Is barley grass suitable for dogs of all ages?
Yes, barley grass is beneficial for all life stages, including puppies, middle-aged and older dogs and it is especially beneficial for dogs that overheat easily and seek cooler temperatures.
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Can barley grass support detoxification?
Barley grass has excellent detox properties and helps to support the liver and removes toxins, and heavy metals.
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Can barley grass provide relief for dogs experiencing allergies?
Allergies and the immune system are closely related to the gut, immune system health and toxin build-up. This is why barley grass can benefit dogs that suffer from allergies.
Sources
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Lahouar, L., El-Bok, S., & Achour, L. (2015). Therapeutic potential of young green barley leaves in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases: an overview. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 43(7), 1311–1329. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X15500743
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Acar, O., Turkan, I., & Ozdemir, F. (2001). Superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities in drought-sensitive and resistant barley (Common barley L.) types. Journal of Plant Physiology, 23(3), 351–356. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-001-0043-8
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Kamiyama, M., & Shibamoto, T. (2012). Flavonoids with Potent Antioxidant Activity Found in Young Green Barley Leaves. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 60(25), 6260–6267. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf301700j
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Ikeguchi, M., Tsubata, M., Takano, A., et al. (2014). Effects of young barley leaf powder on gastrointestinal functions in rats and the physicochemical properties related to its efficacy. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 20147. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/974840.974840
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Ohtake, H., Yuasa, H., Komura, C., Miyauchi, T., Hagiwara, Y., & Kubota, K. (Year). Studies on the constituents of green juice from young barley leaves: antiulcer activity of fractions from barley juice.
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Ferrone, M., Raimondo, M., & Scolapio, JS (2007). Pharmacotherapy of pancreatic enzymes. Pharmacotherapy, 27(6), 910–920. https://doi.org/10.1592/phco.27.6.910
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Seo, KH, Park, MJ, Ra, JE, et al. (2014). Saponarin from barley sprouts inhibits NF-κB and MAPK in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Food and Function, 5(11), 3005–3013.
