Can dogs have ginger

Can Dogs Eat Ginger?

NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially people foods. What might be OK for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors, such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet.

Ginger is a popular spice thats known for its distinct aroma and flavor. Its signature spicy kick is found in popular dishes from around the world, and its also known for its therapeutic benefits. For centuries, people have turned to ginger-based remedies and supplements for various ailments, from nausea to inflammation and even migraines and colds.

But what about your furry friend? Can dogs eat ginger, or should they steer clear of these roots? Good news: Dogs can safely eat ginger, and it can even provide some health benefits. But there are still a few things to be aware of before adding ginger in your dogs diet. Namely, they should have ginger only in tiny amounts, and it needs to be the fresh or powdered kindnot pickled!

Read on to learn more about how to feed your dog ginger safely and when you need to ask your vet for advice.

Is Ginger Good for Dogs?

Similar to the ways in which ginger can help us humans with stomach issues or inflammation, dogs can also reap the benefits of eating ginger. Ginger roots contain a bioactive compound called gingerol, which is the reason it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These are used as a natural method of relieving common conditions like upset stomach or joint pain.

If your dog is experiencing digestive issues or is prone to motion sickness, a small amount of ginger may help ease their nausea. Some pet parents add a small amount of grated ginger to their dogs food or offer ginger-infused treats as a way to help settle their poochs stomach.

Just as humans use gingers anti-inflammatory properties to help alleviate joint swelling and stiffness, dogs may also find that ginger helps promote relief from joint pain. Always ask your vet before giving your dog ginger for joint pain, as they may have other recommendations for your pet.

Are There Risks To Feeding Dogs Ginger?

While ginger can be a natural anti-nausea remedy or help with joint pain, that doesnt mean you should add a heaping helping to your dogs bowl. As always, moderation is key when introducing a new ingredient to your pets mealtime routine, even when its healthy for them.

Too much ginger can actually upset your dogs stomach, so start with a very small amount and gradually increase over time. Also, dogs who are on certain medications should avoid ginger because it can act as a natural blood thinner.

If your dog has any health conditions or allergies, its always best to talk to your vet before adding a new supplement to their diet, including natural ones like ginger. Your vet can help determine if its safe for your pup to have ginger based on other factors like their health history, age, and weight.

Can Dogs Eat Pickled Ginger?

Pickled gingeraka the kind thats served alongside sushishould not be shared with dogs. This is because the pickling process includes added sugar and vinegar, both of which can be harmful to dogs in excess (not to mention your dog probably wont like the taste).

While a small piece or two of pickled ginger probably wont cause your dog harm if he snags some off the floor, the added sugar and/or salt from the pickling process can lead to health problems or cause GI issues. Too much sugar and/or salt can also cause long-term health issues such as weight gain or endocrine issues like diabetes.

Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread?

While it may be a holiday staple, gingerbread should not be a part of your dogs seasonal snacks. Though the ginger itself does not pose a major threat to your pooch, the other ingredients found in most gingerbread recipes are not safe for dogs to eatespecially nutmeg. Nutmeg is toxic to dogs, and it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures in severe cases.

Nutmeg isnt the only reason to steer clear of gingerbread. The extra icing and candies used to decorate gingerbread houses can also be dangerous for dogs. While it may be tempting to sneak a bite or two to your four-legged friend while decorating, dont do it!

The sugar and candies (especially chocolate or sugar-free sweets containing xylitol) can be very harmful, so its best to avoid this altogether. There are plenty of dog-friendly gingerbread treats that are better options if you want to offer a holiday-themed snack thats safe.

How Much Ginger Can a Dog Eat?

As with any new addition to your dogs diet, start with a small amount of ginger before offering a full serving size. But even then, the full serving size of ginger for dogs is very, very small. While ginger can provide some benefits for dogs dealing with upset stomach or inflammation from arthritis, giving too much ginger can cause digestive upset.

Remember: Steer clear of pickled ginger and opt for very small amounts of fresh-grated ginger and ginger powder, which can be mixed in with their food. Here are some general portion guidelines to follow if youre introducing ginger to a healthy, adult dog:

• Extra-small dog (220 pounds) = less than teaspoon of raw ginger

• Small dog (2130 pounds) = approximately teaspoon of raw ginger

• Medium dog (3150 pounds) = approximately teaspoon of raw ginger

• Large dog (5190 pounds) = approximately teaspoon or less of raw ginger

• Extra-large dog (91+ pounds) = approximately teaspoon of raw ginger

How to Safely Feed a Dog Ginger

When it comes to feeding your dog ginger, start slow and adjust after you know how they react to a small amount. A little bit of grated raw ginger or ginger powder sprinkled onto their regular dog food can be a good way to introduce it to them slowly. Then monitor them for any adverse reactions.

You can also make your very own DIY ginger-infused treats. Try adding grated ginger or ginger powder to dog-friendly ingredients like pumpkin, unsweetened applesauce, or sweet potato. Spoon into ice cube trays and pop into the freezer for a dog-friendly pupsicle and offer on hot days. Or bake into homemade dog treats, like these ginger biscuits for dogs.

Even though ginger does provide some health benefits, it doesnt take the place of a well-balanced dog food designed for your pups health and well-being. A good rule of thumb is to keep treats to just 10% of your dogs overall caloric intakesimply subtract those calories from their regular dog food they get for mealtime.

Remember that not all vegetables (or more specifically rhizomes, like ginger) are safe for dogs to eat. Onions and garlic should both be avoided, as they are toxic to dogs. Again, always talk to your vet before introducing new foods to your dog, as they may have dietary advice tailored to your dog based on their health, age, and weight.

Featured Image: Adobe/marinatynik

WRITTEN BY

April Saylor

Freelance Writer

Can Dogs Eat Ginger? Vet-Approved Benefits, Risks, & FAQ

Ginger has long been used for everything from cooking and flavoring to being added to medicines. The benefits of ginger have been documented and proven effective for humans, but what about dogs?

Ginger is also considered beneficial for dogs and is recommended for them, albeit in small amounts.In this article, we discuss how ginger can help dogs and the best way to give it to them.

A Little About Ginger

Gingeris a flowering plant that originated in southern China, where it has been used for over 5,000 years for flavoring and health benefits.

It has also been used to treat stomach issues, such as diarrhea and nausea, as well as the following:

• Joint and muscle pain
• Cold and flu symptoms
• Menstrual cramps
• Stomach pain
• Skin burns

Ginger is a member of the Zingiberaceae family, which includes turmeric. Ginger is the root of the plant and can be eaten dried or fresh. Its also made into capsules, extracts, and tablets.

How Can Ginger Benefit Dogs?

A few of the health benefits that humans experience are proposed to also benefit dogs. While there havent been enough studies on how ginger can benefit pets, its believed that it can help dogs in the following ways:

• Nausea: Ginger could help with nausea associated with motion sickness. This study on people discovered that giving ginger at least 30 minutes before a car ride had the same results as Dramamine. In a 1997 study on dogs It was found that ginger could help reducechemotherapy-induced nausea from cisplatin.
• Anti-inflammatory: Ginger also works as a natural anti-inflammatory, which contributes to joint and muscle health and could easearthritis. It was shown in this study from 2021 to reduce inflammatory markers after spay surgery.
• Antioxidant: Ginger is known to be an antioxidant, which can potentially aid dogs withcognitive dysfunction as they age. It has been shown to have potential in treating and possibly preventing dementia in elderly people.
• Bloating and gas: Ginger can help lessen gas and bloating and help decrease the signs and pain of digestive issues likeinflammatory bowel disease.
• Heartworm: Astudyfound that ginger can potentially reduce heartworm microfilaria (immature heartworms). The study was done on a form of injectable ginger and not as a dietary supplement.

How Much Ginger Can You Give to Dogs?

Almost all forms of ginger are safe to give to your dog, which includes fresh ginger, juice, and tea or ginger in powder form.

However, if youve ever eaten ginger, you know that its quite potent, so it must be given in moderation. The general guideline is that the most ginger that can be fed to dogs is 1/16 (0.0625) of a teaspoon per pound of the dogs body weight. According to Dr Tori Countner about 10 to 25 mg per pound of body weight is generally used.

Feed no more than 3/4 (0.75) teaspoon to large breeds and 1/4 (0.25) teaspoon to small dogs.

What Are the Best Ways to Give Ginger to Dogs?

There are all kinds of ways that you can feed ginger to your dog, so it will come down to what is easiest for you and whether your dog will eat it. From fresh, powder or encapsulated supplements you should find something to suit your dog.

You can add finely chopped or grated fresh ginger to their regular dog food. You can also try making homemade dog biscuits and adding ginger to the mix or making a dog-friendly smoothie and blending in a bit of ginger. You can even turn the smoothie into ice cubes for your dog on a hot day.

If your dog happens to like fresh ginger, you can peel the root, slice it thinly, and feed it directly to your dog.

What Are the Risks of Feeding Ginger to Dogs?

It is essential to only give your dog small amounts of ginger because large amounts can actually cause the very thing that its good at preventing: gas and bloating.

Dogs takingnon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) shouldnt have ginger because it can act as a blood thinner. This also means dogs with bleeding disorders or that are having surgery soon should not be given ginger.

Ginger is known to lower blood pressure and blood sugar, so if your dog hasdiabetes or heart disease, speak to your vet before adding ginger to their diet. You also might want to talk to your vet if your dog is pregnant or nursing. Finally, if your dog has a sensitive stomach or gastrointestinal issues, ginger might be too much for their system.

Overall, even if your dog is in perfect health, speak to your vet about ginger before adding it to your dogs diet.

FAQs

Can You Give Dogs Pickled Ginger?

No. Pickling uses either vinegar or brine, which is heavily salted. A small amount of salt is fine, but if your dog ingests too much, they can experiencesalt toxicity.

Sweet ginger pickles will likely have too much sugar, which is also not good for dogs. Some dogs might not even like pickled ginger, anyway.

Can Dogs Eat Ginger Biscuits?

No. If the biscuits are sweetened with sugar, they are not healthy for dogs and if xylitol is used they will be toxic. While sugar isnt toxic, it can lead to all kinds of issues if dogs regularly eat it. They can experience an upset stomach, weight gain and eventually even diabetes.

Are There Negative Side Effects to Ginger?

Some dogs might experience an allergic reaction to ginger, which might include hives, itchiness, and skin redness. They might also experience diarrhea, gas, and stomach pain. Although this is rare, there is always the potential, check with your vet before giving it to your dog.

How Do You Store Ginger?

It depends on the ginger. If you have supplements in powder or capsule form, read the instructions on the label. For the most part, ginger supplements should be stored in a dry and cool place where theyre protected from moisture and light.

Ginger root can be placed in a sealed plastic bag or air-tight storage container and stored in the crisper in your fridge.

Conclusion

Ginger is an excellent natural remedy that has been proven to provide great health benefits for humans. For most dogs, ginger is perfectly safe, but its important that you speak to your vet before adding it to your dogs diet. The benefits of ginger have not been studied so widely in dogs and much information is anecdotal or extrapolated from humans.

Featured Image Credit: gate74, Pixabay