Ginger is an integral part of our diet. It is jam-packed with nutrients and enhances the taste of food by 200%! But when it comes to sharing it with your pup, can dogs eat ginger?
To answer this question shortly, yes, dogs can eat. But portion control is the most important step. Ginger can provide some great nutritional value to your pup, but eating too much ginger can be dangerous for their health.
Let us see why you should or should not feed ginger to your pup.
Is Ginger Safe For Dogs?
As mentioned above, ginger is perfectly safe until you feed it to your pup in small quantities. It even has a few health benefits that can help support your pupper’s overall health. Remember, whatever you feed your pup must be healthy and nutritious.
The point to be noted here is that ginger is basically a taste enhancer herb. So, it is consumed in very small quantities, even by humans. It does not provide too many nutrients.
But how does it help your pup healthwise?
1. Helps with nausea
Dogs, just like humans, may suffer from nausea or motion sickness. And ginger is an excellent remedy for that. Adding it to their daily diet in tiny bits helps keep them from feeling nauseous.
2. Aids digestion
Ginger is an amazing medicinal herb for your dog’s digestive issues. It can cut down on fermentation, constipation and other causes of bloating and intestinal gas production. Ginger also prevents constipation by smoothening bowel movements and gastrointestinal blockage.
3. Supports the immune system
Ginger has anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Dogs with weaker immune systems are much more prone to viral infections. This herb can be used to strengthen your dog’s weak immune system.
Ginger also increases blood circulation throughout the body, flushes out toxins, and helps to level low blood pressure.
4. Anti-inflammatory properties
If your sweet pup is bedridden due to joint inflammations such as arthritis, it must be too tough to see them slowly lose their mobility. Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties, which ease any inflammations of the joints your sweet pup might experience.
5. Anti-cancerous properties
Due to ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties, it is a great addition to your dog’s diet as it helps prevent cancer and promotes blood flow.
Are There Any Health Risks to Feeding Ginger to Dogs?
We would not ask you to feed your ginger in moderation if it was that safe, right? Ginger also has some negative traits:
1. Blood thinning
Due to ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties, it thins the blood. If your pup is pregnant, has heart disease or diabetes, or is preparing for surgery, do not let them eat ginger.
If your dog needs to take medication of any kind, consult with your veterinarian about how ginger may effect them. Also, consult your veterinarian immediately if your dog gets any wounds or cuts while being on a ginger diet.
2. Upset stomach
Even if ginger can soothe your pooch’s stomach, its spicy flavor can upset their digestive system or cause heartburn when consumed in large quantities. If you add ginger to your dog’s diet, start by gradually feeding them a minimal amount.
Check for any side effects such as like excessive drooling, fatigue, or vomiting, as that could indicate an allergic reaction.
Can Dogs Eat Ginger Snaps?
Ginger snaps are one of our favorite snacks and could also be your dog’s favorite snack. This crunchy treat can keep your dog from feeling nauseous during car rides or in situations where they might feel like that.
But they should only serve as an occasional treat. You should never feed gingersnaps to your dog in large quantities. It may contain artificial sweeteners and nuts hazardous to your canine companion’s health.
Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread?
Grandma’s Christmas gingerbreads might be on your dog’s treat bucket list. And a bit of it might even be the tastiest treat for your dog. But! A big BUT! Make sure that there are no nuts, such as macadamia or black walnuts.
Also, look out for ingredients such as chocolate or caffeine. These ingredients are poisonous and can have even fatal consequences.
Small quantities of gingerbread are safe for dogs but do not leave them unattended, as that is an opportunity to gobble in a few more than they should eat.
How to Serve Ginger to Dogs Safely?
Before we move further into this, we recommend that you always consult your veterinarian before you introduce any new food to your pup. Ask them about allergic reactions and what might happen if your pooch consumes ginger while taking any medication.
Now, back to the topic, what are the safe ways to feed ginger to dogs?
- Make ginger water: Grate almost half a teaspoon to a teaspoon of fresh ginger into one cup of hot water. Allow the ginger to be entirely absorbed into the water until it cools down. Drain out the grated ginger so all you’re left with is the cool ginger tea (article).
- Mince it: Finely mince some ginger and sprinkle it on your dog’s well-balanced diet. You can even thinly slice it and add it as a snack. But make sure the pieces are never too big as they might:
- Choke on large pieces (especially small dogs).
- Feel uncomfortable due to the spicy flavor.
- Use some ginger to make delicious cookies or dog treats for your pup. Check this recipe down below.
A Ginger-Based Dog Treat Recipe For Your Sweet Fur Baby!
While you enjoy your yummy gingerbread cookies from grandma, your pupper will likely not be able to eat those, as they might contain ingredients that are unsafe for dogs. But who says anything about ginger-based dog-safe cookies? Let’s make some:
You will need-
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 ¼ cup oat flour or whole wheat flour
- ¼ teaspoon powdered cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon minced ginger.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Add eggs, oil, and molasses to a medium mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer or whisk vigorously until there are no lumps.
- Mix flour, cinnamon, and the master ingredient, ginger, in a smaller bowl until evenly distributed. Fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until a smooth dough forms.
- Flour your kitchen counter or a large cutting board and roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
- Lay out the unbaked cookies on parchment paper on a baking tray. Bake for 20 minutes. Rotate the pan, flip the cookies, reduce oven temperature to 300°F, and bake for another 30 minutes.
- Remove them from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks (article).
These healthy cookies are the best dog treats for your pup, as they can be part of your family’s Christmas celebrations. And also, these treats can be used as dog training treats because these will provide some energy while you teach some cool tricks to your pooch.
However, if it is the first time your pup is consuming any such treats, you should consult a veterinarian beforehand. Some dogs can be allergic to some of the ingredients, such as flour. So, do not forget to ask if there are ingredients you should avoid.
Final Thoughts
To answer the question, can dogs eat ginger? Ginger is not like garlic or onions, which means that it is not very toxic for dogs. Therefore, ginger in minimal quantities is perfectly fine for your dog. But too much ginger can be very unhealthy.
Doggie tummies are not the same as hoomans, so they do not need taste enhancers such as ginger in their food.
Too make their food more appetizing, you may add some beef or chicken broth to their dry food, and to make it healthier, add a sprinkle of ginger powder. This will make the food smell amazing (according to your dog’s needs) and will attract their attention easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even if ginger is okay for dogs to eat, moderation is the key. If you feed them ginger everyday, make sure it does not exceed more than 10 percent of their diet.
Ginger is a great remedy for nausea. While a tiny bit of ginger will not make your hyperactive dog calm, it will still keep them from feeling dizzy during car rides, or from motion-sickness.
Both ginger and turmeric are edible and great for your dog’s health. In moderation, both ginger and turmeric combined will hugely effect their digestion, overall immunity and bone health.
While ginger has properties that support your pup’s health and immunity, garlic is a well known toxic spice and can eventually be fatal. Garlics contain an element called thiosulphate which is not toxic humans but can damage your dog’s red blood cells. So, avoid feeding your pooch garlic at all costs.