Can Dogs Eat Allspice? What You Need To Know

It’s in so many different baked treats, but can dogs eat allspice? Is it toxic to dogs? Read this before sharing this spice with your pup.

You might have heard of the health benefits of allspice for us humans. So, is it a good idea to give allspice to your furry friend? What about in small quantities? This guide will break down the safety or danger of allspice for dogs.

Allspice seeds in a wood spoon and ground allspice in a bowl.

For ultimate pet safety, please ask your vet any questions you have regarding your dog eating allspice.

What Is Allspice

Allspice is a spice made from dried berries. The berries come from the Pimenta dioica plant. It tastes similar to cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and pepper. The allspice tree is native to Jamaica.

It’s used to flavor a lot of desserts and side dishes and you can get it whole or ground.

Is Chinese Allspice the Same As Allspice

The term Chinese allspice actually refers to a blend of different spices that are commonly used in Chinese cuisine. Allspice is made from the berries of one plant. It isn’t a blend of spices. They are not the same thing.

Is Allspice in Pumpkin Spice

Yes, allspice is an ingredient in the spice mix, “pumpkin pie spice.” You’ll also find it in a lot of human foods that are labeled as pumpkin pie spice or pumpkin pie flavored.

Pumpkin spice also includes other spices that aren’t safe for dogs – like clove oil and nutmeg. The full list of ingredients is cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.

You might also find cocoa powder as an ingredient in some foods that are made with allspice, and that’s unsafe for dogs too.

Benefits For Humans

There are a lot of nutritional and health benefits of allspice for humans. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, people use it to lower high blood pressure. They also use it for indigestion, gas, and stomach pains. It’s also used to control or manage diabetes or help with weight loss.

Can Dogs Have Allspice

No, don’t give your dog allspice. Just like cloves, allspice contains an oily liquid called eugenol. This eugenol could give your dog gastrointestinal upset (like diarrhea, experience nausea, or vomiting.)

Even worse, large amounts of allspice could lead to liver disease. That’s only in severe cases, but it’s still possible, so it’s best to keep allspice away from your dog.

Are There Any Spices Dogs Can’t Have

There are a lot of different spices that will upset your dog’s stomach or cause liver toxicity – just like allspice. Check out my complete guide to spices dogs can and cannot eat for more information.

It’s important to check that list because there are a lot of very common spices that are dangerous for dogs. Cinnamon, for example, can cause low blood sugar and liver distress.

Don’t give your dog spicy foods or anything with a bay leaf or black pepper.

And remember that onion is extra dangerous for dogs. The disulfides in onions break down red blood cells in dogs. This could cause life-threatening anemia.

Is Allspice Dangerous For Dogs

Yes, allspice is dangerous for dogs. Do not sprinkle it on your dog’s food or share your food that might have it as an ingredient. Remember, large doses could cause liver failure.

If your dog ate allspice, watch for signs of allspice poisoning.

Signs of Toxicity

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Blood in the urine
Convulsions
Unconsciousness
Dizziness
Rapid heart rate
Acute kidney trauma

It takes large quantities of allspice to lead to severe side effects, but you should still keep this spice out of your dog’s diet. Even a small amount of it could give your dog abdominal pain – and no one wants that.

Ground allspice in a bowl and seeds around it.

What To Do If Your Dog Eats Allspice

Should you be worried if your dog ate a bite of a cookie that has allspice in the ingredients? Probably not. How sick your dog gets will depend on how much allspice they ate and how big they are. Chances are that if they ate a very small amount they will just get an upset stomach.

Since high doses can cause very severe side effects, you should call your dog’s veterinarian if you don’t know how much they ate.

You can also call the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

What Is A Substitute For Allspice

It’s safer for your dog’s health if you keep this spice away from them. Even a teaspoon of powder is bad for your dog’s digestive system.

Homemade dog treats are a great addition to your dog’s diet. If you avoid toxic spices and artificial sweeteners, your dog can enjoy treats that are good for them.

You don’t have to use spices when you make treats for your dog. Dog owners, your pup will gobble up pumpkin dog cookies that are made without cinnamon or allspice – just watch them!

If you want to support your dog’s immune system, feed them whole foods like meat and vegetables.

Are Allspice Essential Oils Dangerous For Dogs

Do not use allspice essential oil on your dog or diffuse it around your dog. It’s a very potent and strong oil and could cause skin irritation if you use it on their coat.

Don’t diffuse it around dogs either. Dogs have sensitive noses and allspice essential oil could cause difficulty breathing.

Final Thoughts

Allspice is not one of the safe spices for dogs. Even a tiny bit could give your dog digestive upset. Be careful with the food you share with your canine companions. And don’t diffuse powerful essential oils around your dogs either.

More Dog Food Resources

What other human foods are safe for dogs? Here are some more resources about different spices and herbs dogs can and can’t eat:

Find lots of information about human food dogs can eat (and ones they can’t) here on Spoiled Hounds!

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