Are you one of those dog parents who loves to make treats for your pup? You are probably keeping a running mental list of all the foods that are safe for dogs to eat. But, what about safe herbs and spices for dogs? It’s important to know, especially if you’re a puppy parent who likes to leave leftovers for your dog to eat.

5 Safe Herbs and Spices for Dogs

Not only can herbs and spices improve human health, but there are some that can help supplement your dog’s diet too. But, not everything that is good for humans is good for dogs. And, even if something is okay for your dog to eat, you have to keep the amount ingested in mind. A small amount for a human can often be a big amount for a dog.

Before giving your dog anything, it’s a good idea to check with your vet to make sure it’s a good idea for your dog. You can also get some guidelines on appropriate serving amounts so you can ensure the amount your dog gets is well within the safe zone and doesn’t creep into dangerous dosage levels. With that in mind, here are some of the best herbs and spices for dogs:

1. Green Tea

Although green tea can be good for dogs because it is an antioxidant and can be calming, you have to be careful about additives. Caffeine is generally not recommended for dogs and can cause serious reactions in some dogs. You also need to be aware of sugar levels and other ingredients.

Decaf green tea can be safe for your dog as long as there are no other added ingredients that cause issues. Green tea is a strong antioxidant and can also help provide a calming effect.

Make sure you check with your vet before giving your dog green tea; they will let you know if it’s a good idea for your dog, give you a recommended dosage for your dog’s size, and may even have some recommendations that they know are good options for people and their pups.

2. Parsley

Parsley can be safe for your dog, but it’s important to pay attention to the type. Curly parsley is the only type that is considered safe for dogs in small amounts. Other types of parsley, such as spring parsley, Italian parsley, and flat-leaf parsley, have toxins that are not safe for dogs to ingest, and consuming them can cause serious health issues in your dog.

As long as it’s curly parsley, it’s fine to sprinkle a little bit in your dog’s dinner. This is a great way to spoil your dog. Parsley helps rid toxins, enhances organ function, and provides nutrition. It can also help eliminate bad breath!

Just make sure you’re giving your dog the right kind of parsley, introduce it slowly if it’s new for your dog, and don’t give them too much. A good rule of thumb is to stick to only one tablespoon or less for every twenty pounds of body weight.

3. Ginger

Ginger is great for dogs because it’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It also aids digestion by improving food absorption. It can boost circulation and help reduce nausea. The best part is that all forms of ginger are safe for dogs!

Just beware of ginger products. Ginger as a spice is safe for dogs, but ginger products like pickled ginger, candied ginger, etc. should be avoided. Many of these products have too much salt or sugar content for your dog and may even contain xylitol, which is one of the toxic foods for dogs.

Fresh, powder, or juice, ginger is known to be safe for human and canine consumption. If you’re going the fresh route, just make sure it is completely peeled and then mince it finely or cut it into small slices for your dog. Also, be sure to keep it in moderation.

One-sixteenth of a teaspoon per pound of a dog’s body weight, no more than one-quarter teaspoon for small dogs, and no more than three-quarters of a teaspoon for large dogs are good rules of thumb. Check with your vet for recommendations on the right amount for your dog’s size before adding ginger to your dog’s diet.

4. Oregano

Oregano has many health benefits for dogs in moderation. It’s high in flavonoids and antioxidants as well as being antimicrobial. It can help with digestive issues like diarrhea and gas.

However, every dog is different and it can cause digestive discomfort instead in some dogs, especially when they are given too much of it. A little bit goes a long way. Too much oregano can cause intense digestive disruption, including vomiting and diarrhea.

Oregano poisoning is real and dangerous and it is something to be wary of when you are giving oregano to your dog. Keep it to just a bit of a sprinkle over their food and make sure you check with your vet first so you know how much you can and cannot give your dog.

5. Rosemary

Rosemary can be a potent cooking ingredient that adds a lot of flavor. In addition to a sweet-smelling fragrance, it’s also known to have some antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It is also considered non-toxic to dogs.

However, there are some caveats to that. Rosemary essential oil should be avoided because it is so concentrated and because of other ingredients that are often harmful to dogs. Dogs with seizure disorders, like epilepsy, should avoid rosemary altogether in case it causes seizures like it can in humans with seizure disorders.

Rosemary leaves can be okay in small amounts. Rosemary leaves are very concentrated and potent. Fresh leaves also contain a lot of fiber. If your dog eats too much, it can cause upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.

Most of the time, this makes for an uncomfortable 24 hours as your dog works it out of their system, but more serious cases can occur depending on the amount ingested. For this reason, it’s usually recommended to steer clear of rosemary leaves and just stick to a vet-approved amount of powdered or ground rosemary.

Herbs and Spices Harmful to Dogs

There are plenty of safe herbs and spices for dogs out there, but there are also plenty of herbs and spices harmful to dogs. Beware of these herbs and spices that may harm your pup:

• Caraway is a no-go.
• Onions are also a definite no for dogs.
• Dogs should also not eat garlic, as it can be toxic.
• Just as dogs should not eat chocolate, cocoa is a no-no.
• Tea tree oil, mint oil, and rosemary oil are not good for them.
• Salt, pennyroyal, pepper, paprika, and marjoram should be avoided.
• Nutmeg, mace, sorrel, tarragon, and wormwood are harmful as well.
• Italian parsley, spring parsley, and flat-leave parsley are not good for dogs. Curly parsley is the only type of parsley that is safe for dogs.

There are so many herbs and spices in the world that it’s tough to list them all. Unless you know something is safe for your dog to eat, it’s best to avoid giving anything to them. There are plenty of fruits and veggies safe for dogs as well as other foods, herbs, spices, and more. Just check with your vet first. And, if you are in doubt about your pup’s safety, it’s a good idea to call up your vet and ask.