Flaxseed is not only safe for dogs, but it contains several essential nutrients that your dog needs to stay healthy. One of the most common reasons to give your dog flaxseed is to improve their skin and coat health. Flaxseed contains omega fatty acids and is especially high in the omega 6 fatty acid Linoleic Acid.

Providing ground flax seed as part of a seed mix for wild birds is a great option, since, as mentioned above, it makes the nutrients they contain available to a wider range of bird species. You can use a coffee grinder to grind whole flax seeds for the birds.