Herbs and Spices that are Bad for Dogs
Here is a list of 5 herbs and spices that you should avoid feeding to your dog.
- Nutmeg can cause a severe upset stomach for dogs, as well as extensive damage to your dog’s nervous system.
- Consuming onions can cause diarrhea, vomiting and an upset stomach, as well as intense damage to red blood cells for dogs. This applies to onion powder, too.
- Cocoa powder is extremely harmful to your dog’s nervous system. Although cocoa powder is not a spice by definition, it is often used in cooking and should be kept out of reach from your pup. Cocoa powder can also cause kidney and heart problems in your dog.
- Garlic can be toxic to your pup if administered in large amounts. You should avoid giving your dog garlic at all. If they do consume a small amount of garlic in the powdered form, they will be okay.
- Black pepper itself is not poisonous for dogs, however it does contain piperine, which increases the absorption of prescription medicines. This causes a great risk of overdose for your pet, so it is best to avoid black pepper if possible.
Healthy Herbs and Spices for Dogs
Here is a list of five herbs and spices that are fantastic additions to your dog’s healthy diet.
- Anti-parasitic
- Anti-diarrhea
- Eases nausea
- Alleviates intestinal gas
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Alleviates indigestion and diarrhea
- Antioxidant boosts immune system
- Soothes an upset stomach
- Relieves intestinal gas
- Treats diarrhea
- Alleviates irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Relieves arthritis
- Anti-inflammatory
- Improves gut health
- Boosts brain function
- Fights against heart disease
- Anti-inflammatory
- Regulates blood sugar
- Anti-cancer properties
What is the Difference Between an Herb and a Spice?
Herbs and spices are often confused. This makes perfect sense because some plants can be used as herbs and spices. This distinction is made by the way in which the plant is consumed; herbs are consumed as fresh plants, while spices are consumed as dried plants. For example, basil can be sold as a fresh herb, or it can be dried and sold as a spice.
Herbs and spices that are bad for dogs
It may come as a surprise to you that some herbs that are good for humans, are bad for pets. Not only that, but there are herbs that are safe for some types of pets, yet are toxic to others. For example, Horsetail is toxic to horses, ironically enough. It helps dogs in several ways, however, and is commonly recommended for joint health. Additionally, the toxicity status may not be available for all pets, leaving us in the dark one way or another.
“If a body receives a substance in quantities or concentrations that cannot be effectively dealt with by its natural functions, the excess must be dealt with by emergency means,” explains Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance Your Pet’s Live. “Vomiting, diarrhea, and other purgative functions are then triggered to eliminate the invasive substance(s). If this fails, systemic shutdown or damage may occur.”
Then there are related concerns as well, such as allergic reactions or drug interactions. When in doubt, discuss it with your veterinarian or skip it altogether. Remember, too, that any plant can be toxic if you don’t follow instructions or feed too much.