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Looking for a way to inject a little flavor into your dog’s diet? Or maybe you’re wondering if it’s okay to occasionally feed your dog table scraps. If so, it’s important to know what spices and seasonings dogs can have—and what they can’t.
Some spices can provide a boost of flavor and even nutritional or health benefits for dogs. But there are also seasonings that are toxic to dogs. To learn the difference, we spoke to veterinarians and animal nutritionists and put together this detailed guide.
Dangerous Spices
Sprinkling a little seasoning into your dog’s bowl or tossing them a spiced scrap of food from your dinner plate might not seem like a big deal, but it can have serious consequences.
According to Nell Ostermeier, a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) and advisor for OnePack Plan, several everyday herbs and spices are dangerous for dogs. “Some can be toxic,” she says, “and may cause medical issues ranging from mild to severe.”
Here are some of the spices dogs can not have in significant amounts without risking digestive upset or, in some cases, more serious health issues:
- Allspice
- Bay leaf
- Black pepper
- Caraway
- Cayenne
- Chicken (poultry) seasoning
- Chives
- Cloves
- Cocoa powder
- Garlic
- Mace
- Mustard
- Nutmeg
- Onion
- Paprika
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Salt
- Scallions
- Tarragon
Cocoa Powder
Jennifer Sperry, a licensed veterinarian and advisor for Spot Pet Insurance, explains that the danger of cocoa powder is theobromine. It’s a stimulant that can cause mild effects (like vomiting or diarrhea) in doses as small as 10-20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Doses of 100-200 mg/kg can be lethal.
Pure cocoa powder is even more dangerous than chocolate for dogs. While it might take 8 ounces of milk chocolate to cause toxicity in a 50-pound dog, a 1-ounce serving of baking chocolate or cocoa powder could have the same effect.
If your dog eats any significant amount of cocoa powder, seek veterinary care immediately—do not wait for symptoms to develop.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg contains a toxin called myristicin, which can trigger stomach upset even in small amounts. In larger doses, nutmeg can cause disorientation, rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and even seizures.
It’s unlikely for a dog to ingest enough nutmeg to develop a toxic reaction, but it’s safest to simply say dogs can’t have nutmeg. Avoid prepared spice blends that may contain nutmeg as well (that means no gingerbread mix or pumpkin pie seasoning). You can make your own dog-safe pumpkin spice blend instead.
Onion and garlic
Dr. Sperry warns pet parents to avoid all powdered herbs from the allium family—which includes onions, garlic, and chives. The thiosulfates in them can cause stomach upset and hemolytic anemia.
A toxic dose is about 0.5% of a dog’s body weight—roughly 100 grams per 20 kilograms of body weight. For a 50-pound dog, consuming one medium-to-large onion could lead to toxicity. Garlic is 3-5 times more toxic than onion, and onion powder is more toxic for dogs than fresh or cooked onions. So anything with garlic or onion is a no-go.
If you think your dog has eaten onion, call your veterinarian—especially if they’re showing symptoms. Signs of toxicity may include lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, pale gums, racing heartbeat, or fainting.
Salt
Dogs can eat food with salt, but it’s easy to overdo it. Signs of salt toxicity can develop with doses as small as 2-3 grams per kilogram of body weight—that’s less than a teaspoon for a toy breed dog. Doses upwards of 4 grams per kilogram of body weight can be fatal.
A little bit of salt may only increase your dog’s thirst and urination, putting them at risk for dehydration. When consumed in excess, however, salt can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Clinical signs of toxicity can develop within minutes to hours of consumption, so call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline as soon as you discover your dog has eaten salt or consumed a large quantity of salty foods like pretzels, chips, processed meat, or cheese.
Safe Spices (in Moderation)
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The list of spices dogs can’t have in large doses is long, but certain spices and seasonings are safe in moderation.
For example, if your dog requires a bland diet to recover from a bout of diarrhea or vomiting, you can season their chicken or rice with safe spices to stimulate their appetite. A sprinkle of seasoning can also make homemade dog treats more appetizing and even freshen a pup’s stinky breath.
Here’s a list of herbs and spices dogs can eat and what the recommended dosage is for some of the most popular. Keep in mind safe serving sizes vary depending on your dog’s size and health status, so always consult your veterinarian before feeding your dog spices or seasonings.
- Basil
- Chamomile
- Cilantro
- Cinnamon
- Coriander
- Cumin
- Dill
- Fennel
- Ginger
- Peppermint
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Thyme
- Turmeric
Basil
Basil is a fragrant herb rich in antioxidants with antiviral and antimicrobial properties. It might even help diminish the painful effects of a dog’s arthritis, elevate their mood, and ease stress and anxiety. Servings up to 1 teaspoon of fresh or dried basil are generally safe, depending on your dog’s size.
Try our pizza bone dog treats with oregano and basil or a collagen-rich bone broth meal topper seasoned with basil, parsley, thyme, and turmeric.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In small amounts, it may even help regulate blood sugar levels in dogs with diabetes and improve your dog’s breath. Limit servings of cinnamon to about ⅛ teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight, introducing it slowly to make sure your dog tolerates it.
Add cinnamon to homemade dog treats (like these Apple Pie Bites) or try these breath-freshening dog dental bones made with cinnamon.
Ginger
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and may help regulate blood sugar. Some dogs have a negative reaction to the scent or flavor of fresh ginger root, but it isn’t harmful in small doses up to ¼ teaspoon per 25 pounds of body weight.
Because ginger can cause stomach upset in some dogs, talk to your veterinarian before offering it and introduce it slowly into your dog’s diet. Try starting with some dog-friendly gingerbread or a ginger-spiced pumpkin meal mixer.
Parsley
Parsley contains healthy antioxidants, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients. The beneficial plant compounds in parsley may support healthy organ function, freshen breath, and help prevent urinary tract infections.
Curly parsley is the safest variety for dogs but should still be fed in limited quantities—a pinch of dried parsley or up to 1 teaspoon of fresh parsley per 20 pounds of body weight. To incorporate parsley in your dog’s diet, whip up a batch of breath freshening dog treats or pick up some of these crunchy dental biscuits.
Peppermint
While certain kinds of mint can be toxic to dogs (like English pennyroyal), fresh or dried peppermint and spearmint are generally safe and may help freshen your dog’s breath. Any mint essential oils, however, should be avoided due to the risk for toxicity.
It’s best to limit your dog’s intake of peppermint to a few leaves per day, finely chopped and mixed into your dog’s food. Start with a very small dose and monitor your dog for signs of digestive upset. You can also add a pinch of dried peppermint to homemade dog treats.
Turmeric
While dogs shouldn’t have spicy food—no cayenne or chili powder—turmeric is a flavorful spice that doesn’t have any heat. Like ginger, turmeric comes from a root and can be offered fresh or in powdered form. Turmeric powder is the simplest form to use and can be offered in small amounts up to ¼ teaspoon per day.
Due to its curcumin and antioxidant content, turmeric may offer benefits for arthritis pain, anxiety, and inflammatory conditions. Try adding turmeric to homemade bone broth or offer your dog some tasty turmeric soft chews. Dogs can have cumin, another spice rich in curcumin, in similar doses to turmeric.
Beneficial Spices
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When discussing what spices are actually good for dogs, there are two primary benefits to consider. First, spices and seasonings can increase palatability, which is great for picky eaters. Second, they can be used as dietary supplements to provide specific health benefits.
What can I season my dog food with for flavor?
If you’ve got a picky eater on your hands, adding a new flavor to your dog’s food might entice them to eat. Dr. Ostermeier says, “A pinch of salt or cinnamon can often increase palatability”—but she recommends consulting a trained veterinary specialist to confirm what spices your particular dog can eat before adding anything to your dog’s food.
Rather than risk overdosing your dog on any particular spice, consider adding a flavorful meal mixer to their food. Try a lightly seasoned bone broth topper, for example, or a freeze-dried meal mixer made with dog-safe herbs and spices.
What can I season my dog food with for health?
Certain herbs and spices may provide health benefits for dogs. For example, there are many anti-inflammatory spices for dogs such as basil, cinnamon, cilantro, and oregano. “Some other herbs that are beneficial,” adds Dr. Sperry, “include ginger and turmeric, which can reduce inflammation, rosemary and thyme, which have antimicrobial properties, and chamomile, which is mildly calming.”
There are even spices that can benefit dogs with specific health problems. For example, cinnamon and ginger may help regulate blood sugar levels. Spices with anti-inflammatory properties may benefit dogs with chronic arthritis, dermatitis, or inflammatory bowel disease.
As always, it’s best to ask your vet for help deciding what supplements will best benefit your dog’s nutrition.
