Tangy tail-waggers: Spices safe for dogs

Updated 12/04/2024

Are spices safe for dogs? Good question! Canine cuisine is a hot topic, made all the more spicier when discovering which human foods we can and can’t feed to our fur family. Luckily, we know how to season this question to pawfection. 

Although we will recommend some safe spices for dogs, this won’t apply to every pup. Before you heat the hob, have a chat with your vet before donning the doggo chef hat. This is especially important if your pooch suffers from allergies, tummy trouble, or other serious conditions, or they’re taking medication. It’s always best to vet-check before changing anything to your snuffle’s schedule.

Well, we don’t know about you, but we’re drooling over here waiting to know which spices are safe for dogs! Without further awoo, let’s learn some tasty facts about dog-friendly seasonings.

Are spices safe for dogs?

Short answer: There are safe spaces for dogs, but there are also some toxic ones too. Whilst our list of dog-friendly spices below has been pulled from sources including The American Kennel Club, Preventive Vet, and PetMD, do not give anything new to eat without consulting your vet first. While some spices may be considered safe for some dogs they may cause upset tummies in others.

Spices that are toxic to dogs

The ingredients below should never be added to your dog's diet, no matter how strong their stomachs are. Here is a list of herbs and spices that are dangerous for pooches:

Cocoa powder

Chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa powder are all deadly to dogs. No minimal amount is certified as being safe for them, it’s a pooch poison. Only 0.14oz or 4g of cocoa powder is enough to cause a severe reaction in most dogs. 

Salt

This is another toxic substance that can quickly cause diarrhea and vomiting in doggos. Pups don’t need their food seasoned as we do, so never feel tempted to add a dash of salt to their savory snacks. Similarly, keep them away from other foods and edibles that contain salt, including playdough.

Garlic

Garlic fresh or powdered is poisonous to pups. It belongs to the allium family, which contain chemical compounds called thiosulfates and N-propyl disulfides, which damage dog red blood cells and prevent oxygen from reaching their vital organs, which can result in death. Luckily, pooches are often repelled by the strong smell of garlic, but always keep an eye on the chopping board if you’re cutting up a clove.

Onions

Onions are toxic for the same reason garlic is. However, many pooches can tell this vegetable isn’t for them with just a simple sniff.

Curry powders

It seems strange to write an article about dogs and spices without mentioning curry, unfortunately, it’s not the cuisine for them. Every type of curry powder or flavoring is different, and although not all of them are toxic to dogs, most will cause a stomach upset if eaten. It’s easy to guess what happens if your bark baby accidentally eats some of these spices…

Nutmeg

Whilst innocent to look at, nutmeg contains a pooch poison called myristicin. If your snuffle snaffles a piece or dusting of nutmeg, they can experience a range of alarming symptoms including hallucinations, stomach pains, and seizures.

Bay leaves

If you have a bay leaf tree in your home or garden, be sure to make sure it is dog-proofed, out of their reach, or removed. Bay leaves contain dangerous dog toxins known as eugenols and other essential oils that are very harmful to dogs’ tummies. As well as causing stomach upset, bay leaves can block a pup’s digestive tract and damage its liver.

Cloves

Cloves also contain eugenols, although not as much as bay leaves. However, this doesn’t mean you should ever risk adding it to your dog’s dinner. 

Spices safe for dogs

Below is a list of herbs and spices recommended as seasonings safe for dogs. However, you must always check with your vet before introducing anything new into your pup’s diet, including seasonings. If your vet gives the green light to use these ingredients, make sure you’re certain about portion size and moderation - all dog-friendly spices should be given in small, measured amounts.

Ginger

Safe for dogs to eat in small quantities, ginger has a lot of the same benefits for pups as it does for us humans. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps settle the stomachs of nauseous doggos. For example, if your pup is prone to car sickness, a treat with a bit of ginger could make their journey a lot more comfortable (and a lot less stinky).

Cinnamon

Small quantities of cinnamon in its purest form (and definitely not as cinnamon sugar) can help to regulate blood sugar and is an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and safe choice to add to snuffle snacks.

Basil

Yet another seasoning with anti-inflammatory properties, basil also has a calming effect on dogs. Whilst you shouldn’t give pups a whole basil plant to eat, you can sprinkle a small amount on their food to help them relax (and make their breath smell yummy).

Parsley

Guess what else freshens up Fido’s breath - parsley! A quarter of a teaspoon of this familiar flavoring can give your snuffle a boost of vitamins A, C, and K, folic acid, and antioxidants. What a helpful plant!

Rosemary

Guess what contains iron, calcium, and vitamin b6? That’s right, rosemary. Yep, this chef's choice can be a lovely addition to a hungry hound helping with dinner or treats. However, this should not be presented to pups who suffer from seizures or skin allergies - again, talk to your vet first.

When to call the vet

If you think your dog has eaten anything toxic or harmful, you must take them to a vet immediately. However, sometimes they can be super sneaky and snaffle snacks behind our backs. If they have eaten something harmful, these are some clear signs of poisoning:

• Coughing, choking, and difficulty breathing
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Bad breath or an unusual oder

Even if your pup has eaten something naughty and hasn’t reacted, don’t wait until they do. Tell your vet exactly what you think they’ve eaten (if you know) and they’ll be able to help. Toxins are worse the longer they’re left in the tummy, so it’s always best to act fast.

Meet our veterinary expert, Hannah

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Hannah Godfrey BVetMed MRCV.

Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and worked in mixed practice for a few years before focusing on small animal work. Clinically, she worked in a busy, multi-center hospital practice until 2018, where she underwent training in advanced canine and feline dentistry and began working towards a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. She then moved to a local independent practice to care for the pets nearby, allowing more time to focus on other career avenues, which include writing for a diverse range of pet websites, vet practices, drug companies, journals, and veterinary educators. 

If you’re keen to try new tasty treats and meals with your peckish pooch, why not check out our pup-safe, vet verified, Dine With Your Dog: Recipe Book? Seven delicious doggy recipes that are pawfect for meal and snack times. 

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