Herbs and Spices Your Dog Can Actually Eat
So you know how herbs and spices make food taste better? Well, they’re also pretty good for health stuff. And get this – dogs can benefit from some of them too.
There’s actually a bunch of herbs and spices that won’t hurt your dog. Some might even help them feel better. But if your dog’s got health issues, you should probably ask a vet first.
Herbs vs Spices – What’s the Difference?
Honestly, I used to think they were the same thing. But Iowa State University breaks it down. Herbs come from leaves of plants. Places like Italy and France grow lots of them. You use more herbs when you cook.
Spices come from other parts – roots, seeds, bark, whatever. They grow in hot places mostly. Spices are stronger so you don’t need as much.
The Safe Ones
Anise Seeds Skip the star anise though. Regular anise helps with gas and stomach problems. But here’s the thing – it makes dogs hyper. Like, really hyper. So just use a tiny bit. 1/16 teaspoon max.
Basil You know, the green stuff in pasta sauce. It’s actually pretty good for reducing swelling and pain. Plus it calms dogs down. Has some vitamins too. Half a teaspoon should do it.
Cilantro Dogs either love this or hate it. Just like people. If your dog likes it, great – it makes their breath smell better. Got lots of good vitamins and minerals. Just a pinch though.
Cinnamon This one’s tricky. Good in small amounts but can be bad if you use too much. Maybe 1/8 teaspoon once a week. It’s supposed to be good for inflammation and blood sugar.
Fennel If your dog won’t eat, try mixing some fennel tea in their food. Might help their appetite. Has vitamins and minerals too.
German Chamomile Only the German kind is safe. Other types can poison dogs. This one helps nervous dogs chill out. Stick to dog treats that say German chamomile on them.
Ginger Good for upset stomachs. Fresh ginger might be too spicy so use powder or treats with ginger. About 1/4 teaspoon. More than that can make them sick.
Milk Thistle Vets recommend this for liver problems. Especially if your dog takes medicine that’s hard on their liver. Ask your vet how much to give.
Oregano Pretty good antioxidant. Kills bacteria too. Sprinkle some dried oregano on their food. Don’t give it to diabetic dogs though. And never use oregano oil.
Parsley Makes their breath smell better. Also has compounds that fight inflammation. Chop it up and put it on their food. Don’t use too much – it can be toxic.
Rosemary Good for the heart. But dogs with seizures shouldn’t have it. About 1/3 teaspoon is enough.
Turmeric This is really popular now. Great for dogs with sore joints. Makes a paste called “golden paste” or just mix powder in food. About 1/4 teaspoon per 10 pounds. Some dogs get upset stomachs though.
Thyme Fights fungus and inflammation. One teaspoon a week gives them lots of vitamins and minerals.
Don’t Give Them These
Some herbs and spices are bad news for dogs:
Allspice, Aloe Vera, Bay Leaf, Cayenne, Chives, Chili Powder, Cloves, Cocoa, Garlic (especially powdered), Hops, Lavender, Mace, Marjoram, some Mints, Mustard, Nutmeg, Onion, Paprika, Pennyroyal, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Spanish Thyme, Wintergreen.
Black pepper isn’t poisonous but it messes with their medications. Better to avoid it.
Bottom Line
Start small with any new herb or spice. Watch how your dog reacts. If they have health problems or take medicine, ask your vet first. Better safe than sorry.