Herbs and Spices that are safe for your dog
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(Really nice website, has info on dogs, cats and fish - worth visiting - enjoy!)
Your doggo’s diet doesn’t have to be bland. Add a little spice to your dog’s life with our list of spices and herbs that are good for your pup.
If you like to keep healthy, you’re probably already familiar with some of the ways in which herbs and spices can be used to treat common maladies. What you may not know, however, is that many of these same herbs and spices can be beneficial for your dog. While it’s easy to merely buy your doggo mass produced pet food and never think about what you feed the pup again, that’s a mistake. Dogs deserve a thoughtfully composed diet too! Sure, your dog will never become a foodie with refined tastes, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t deserve to benefit from some seasoning that will improve his health! To make determining your doggo’s diet a little easer, we’ve put together a list of top 10 spices and herbs that we give to our dogs, along with a list of benefits that come along with them. After this article, your pup is going to eat so well that they’ll never want to go back to regular pet food again!
Before You Give Your Dog Any Spices or Herbs, Talk to Your Vet
Although this list is meant to guide you in the direction of herbs and spices that are generally considered safe for dogs, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian before you add anything to your dog’s diet, whether it’s a supplement, herb, or spice. Not all dogs are the same and some of herbs and spices that could help one pup’s health could seriously upset the tummy of another. The best way to confirm which of these suggestions will best help your dog is to consult your vet. That way, you can be sure that it will be safe and appropriate for your furry friend. Your vet can also advise you on proper dosing, as well as provide advice on where you need to use caution when adding spices and herbs to your pet’s food. There’s a reason you have a vet after all, never be afraid to use them.
If you like to keep healthy, you’re probably already familiar with some of the ways in which herbs and spices can be used to treat common maladies. What you may not know, however, is that many of these same herbs and spices can be beneficial for your dog. While it’s easy to merely buy your doggo mass produced pet food and never think about what you feed the pup again, that’s a mistake. Dogs deserve a thoughtfully composed diet too! Sure, your dog will never become a foodie with refined tastes, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t deserve to benefit from some seasoning that will improve his health! To make determining your doggo’s diet a little easer, we’ve put together a list of top 10 spices and herbs that we give to our dogs, along with a list of benefits that come along with them. After this article, your pup is going to eat so well that they’ll never want to go back to regular pet food again!
Before You Give Your Dog Any Spices or Herbs, Talk to Your Vet
Although this list is meant to guide you in the direction of herbs and spices that are generally considered safe for dogs, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian before you add anything to your dog’s diet, whether it’s a supplement, herb, or spice. Not all dogs are the same and some of herbs and spices that could help one pup’s health could seriously upset the tummy of another. The best way to confirm which of these suggestions will best help your dog is to consult your vet. That way, you can be sure that it will be safe and appropriate for your furry friend. Your vet can also advise you on proper dosing, as well as provide advice on where you need to use caution when adding spices and herbs to your pet’s food. There’s a reason you have a vet after all, never be afraid to use them.
There are several different varieties of mint but all of them are known for their strong aroma and medicinal qualities. Peppermint, for example, can help to soothe digestive upset, to reduce gas, and to relieve nausea. It has also been shown to have radio-protective effects, making it useful in reducing radiation-induced sickness as well as mortality in dogs subjected to chemotherapy. If your pooch has gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, however, you should avoid giving him any peppermint. Beyond that, peppermint might also result in hypoglycemia in dogs that have been diagnosed with diabetes. So, once again, use caution and talk to your vet for personalized advice. Mint is definitely something to feed to your pooch with caution. While it can certainly offer many benefits, it is exclusively for doggos who have been pre-appoved by their vet. It’s just not worth the risk otherwise.
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Basil isn’t just an excellent and traditional pizza topping. It is also an aromatic herb that is also known for its antioxidant, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. This herb has been known to help alleviate the effects of arthritis in dogs due to its high concentration of beta-carophyllene. This same compound makes basil useful in treating inflammatory bowel disease. Other benefits of basil for dogs include lifting the mood, decreasing stress, and reducing anxiety. Not bad for an assuming leafy green!
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While other members of the onion family can be dangerous for dogs, garlic can provide a number of health benefits. For example, garlic is a natural antibiotic which can help boost the immune system without damaging natural gut flora. Garlic also provides antifungal, antiviral, and anti-parasitic benefits. As an added bonus, it may help make your dog less appealing to fleas and ticks! Don’t overdo garlic – it’s all about moderation. Too much garlic can upset your dog’s stomach and reek havoc on your breath. So be careful.
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While there is some controversy regarding the safety of cinnamon for dogs, the ASPCA has ruled it non-toxic. This spice not only smells heavenly, but it provides a number of health benefits as well. Cinnamon has been shown to boost energy and vitality while also improving brain function. Additionally, cinnamon is has natural antifungal properties which helps to protect against the type of fungus which causes yeast infections (these are particularly common in dogs with allergies). When adding cinnamon to your dog’s diet, experts recommend sticking with Ceylon cinnamon, rather than using the Cassia variety that is more common. That’s because Ceylon cinnamon contains much less coumarin, which is a compound that is associated with blood thinning. So be very careful about which type of cinnamon that you feed your pup. They may look similar going in, but these two types of cinnamon will have a very different effect on your on what happens within your dog’s body.
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The spice known as ginger is derived from the root of the ginger plant. Not only is this herb aromatic and delicious, but ginger provides a number of health benefits as well. Ginger can help to soothe an upset stomach in your dog as well as providing anticancer benefits. On top of that, when you give some ginger to a senior dog, it might even help improve his cognitive function, which is so important in their elder years. And it doesn’t stop there when it comes to the benefits that ginger can provide to senior dogs either. Thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory benefits, your vet might recommend ginger for your senior pooch if he’s dealing with joint pain that is related to his age. Ginger can be a bit of a miracle spice to any doggo in their autumn years. So if your dog is starting to show his age, try mixing a little ginger into his diet. You might be shocked by what a difference it can make.
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While you may think of parsley as merely something that you sprinkle on pasta, it is actually a very powerful herb that can provide vital nutrients for your dog. Parsley is a leafy herb that contains various flavonoids, antioxidants, and vitamins including lycopene and carotenes. In addition to acting as a breath freshener, parsley can also help soothe stomach upset. Be careful, however, because Spring Parsley (a member of the carrot family) looks almost identical to the herb but is toxic for dogs and cats. It is also important to note that you should not be giving any parsley to a dog that is prone to developing calcium oxalate stones. That’s because parsley contains high amounts of oxalates. Again, it is always best to consult with your vet before you give your pet a new herb or spice, as there are certain compounds in plants that can do more harm than good in dogs with certain conditions. Parsley is an herb that you need to be especially careful about feeding to your animal given the risks. The benefits are undeniable, so just be careful.
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Rosemary is high in vitamin B6 and it is also a good source of both iron and calcium. This fragrant herb has also been shown to act as an antioxidant and its essential oil has been used as a natural preservative in natural dog foods. Rosemary is also regarded as a natural stimulant which helps to increase blood flow to the brain while also reducing oxidative damage to the nervous system. This a wonderful addition to any pup’s diet, just make sure to confirm that Rosemary isn’t already in your dog’s food before adding it. That would be pointless.
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Turmeric, a spice commonly used in Eastern cuisines, is also used in traditional Eastern medicine. This spice has the ability to detoxify the body, purify the blood, disinfect wounds, relieve diarrhea, and treat stomach ailments. Turmeric also acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory that can be used to treat arthritis. Talk to your veterinarian about dosing, but you can expect that, generally, just ¼ teaspoon will be safe for small pooches, ½ teaspoon will be okay for medium sized dogs, and a teaspoon will be fine for large dogs. Add this amount of turmeric to your pet’s food just once per day, making sure to mix it into the food well. Remember, more doesn’t always mean better! Talk to your vet to be absolutely sure you’re dosing it right. And it is wise to use a bit of caution when you are thinking about adding turmeric to your dog’s food. Because this spice can act as a blood thinner and as a result, it might end up boosting your dog’s risk of bleeding. Particularly if he is taking other supplements or medications, it is best to talk to your vet before you proceed with Turmeric. It’s too easy for this spice to go wrong, despite the many wonderful benefits.
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Cilantro is a leafy green herb known for its fresh flavor and multitude of health benefits. This herb contains a number of active compounds which provide antibiotic, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer benefits. Cilantro can also help control blood sugar and improve calcium absorption. Fortunately, this isn’t an herb that could be dangerous your pup. So feel free to add it into his diet without fear. The potential problem is that your doggo might not like how it tastes. We have no advice there. That’s between you and your pup.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pet owners and veterinary professionals about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients.
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In this article you will find tips on how to choose a kennel. However, do bear in mind that the really good one's are booked up long in advance of the holiday period, so make your arrangements well in advance.
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It is a common misconception that a “malnourished” dog or cat simply doesn’t get enough food. Perhaps he’s been neglected, or he’s a stray who scavenges for meals. While this is certainly the picture of a malnourished animal, it can happen to pets who look perfectly healthy, too.
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