From gingerbread houses to gingersnaps, can dogs eat ginger without getting sick? Read these essential safety tips.
The holidays are all about certain types of food, aren’t they? You already know how to keep your dog safe around peppermint and the dangers of Xylitol in candy canes.
But what about one of the main ingredients in Christmas cookies – ginger?
For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating ginger.
Can Dogs Eat Ginger?
Ginger isn’t just a holiday spice. You’ll find it in lots of Chinese food recipes and in salad dressings.
The good news is that ginger is not only safe for your dog but packed with nutrients too. There are actually quite a few amazing things ginger does for your dog’s health.
Is Ginger Good For Dogs
There are lots of reported health benefits of ginger – for both humans and dogs. Just look at how many good things it can do for your dog.
Ginger Has Antioxidants & Prevents Cancer
Recent studies confirm the anticancer potential of ginger. This is because it contains gingerol, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals are compounds that can hurt the body if they multiply and become too numerous (like cancer cells).
So when you hear that something is high in antioxidants, like ginger, you know it will help to keep those harmful cells at bay.
Ginger Helps Dogs With Car Sickness
Another proven benefit of ginger for dogs is helping calm stomach issues, like motion or car sickness.
I’ve seen this first hand. My Luke had really bad car sickness.
He would start drooling and then throw up in the car even on short trips (like 10 minutes). Then one day I saw a post in one of the whippet groups about car sickness and what to do.
A bunch of people recommended ginger cookies (or biscuits as they are called in the UK). So I decided to give it a try.
I gave him 2 ginger snaps cookies about 20 minutes before I took him with me to do some shopping to the stores that allow pets inside. We made it there and back without him getting car sick.
Now I do that whenever I take him with me. He hasn’t thrown up in the car since I started giving him the ginger snaps.
According to Dr. Steve Marsden, DVM, it can help with quite a few other gastrointestinal (GI) problems too.
One potential use for ginger in small animals is in the relief or prevention of gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV or bloat) in dogs. Despite its efficacy in preventing vomiting, ginger has been shown to stimulate stomach motility and accelerate stomach emptying time in multiple studies.
Dr. Steve Marsden, DVM
It Treats Heartworms
It’s also been shown to be effective at helping to treat heartworms.
In a 1987 study, microfilarial loads were reduced between 83 and 98 percent by 12 subcutaneous injections of an alcohol extract of ginger. Side effects of treatment were minimal to absent.
Of course, talk to your dog’s veterinarian about ginger use when your dog has heartworms.
Ginger is Good for Dog’s Heart
Ginger also has an anticlotting characteristic. This means it will help your dog’s heart pump healthily away. It can also flush out toxins and level out low blood pressure too.
Ginger Can Help Pets With Arthritis
Due to the anti-inflammatory properties, it can help with arthritis pain in your dog. In fact, applying it topically can help with localized pain from osteoarthritis.
Ginger Strengthens A Dog’s Immune System
This super-herb also has anti-viral, anti-toxic, and anti-fungal properties. This means it will boost their immune system and help them fight off bacteria and viruses.
Contact your veterinarian if your dog has eaten a large amount of ginger because it can cause gastrointestinal irritation. Small amounts are generally safe and have been used to help relieve nausea, vomiting, and cardiovascular disorders.
A general guide is 1/4 teaspoon for miniature dogs, 1/2 teaspoon for dogs under 35 pounds, and 3/4 teaspoon for larger dogs. Mix it in their food. Always start with small amounts and consult with your vet to adjust quantity.
Yes, dogs can eat raw ginger root in small quantities. You should peel off the skin and finely mince the root. It is best to mix it in your dog’s food.
Ginger has been known to help to settle a dog’s stomach. A small amount can be added to baby food or pumpkin puree and given to a dog with an upset stomach.
A ginger biscuit is okay for an occasional treat and to help with an upset stomach or prevent car sickness. Since they contain sugar, it is not good to give dogs ginger biscuits on a regular basis.
Can Dogs Have Gingersnaps?
Gingersnaps are an excellent occasional treat for your dog. In fact, if you give your dog one of these crunchy treats before a road trip, they might not get as car sick.
Just don’t give your dog a lot of gingersnap cookies at one time or often. There’s too much sugar in them to be regular treats.
This gingerbread dog treats recipe is amazing for dogs. Dogs will love them. Avoid Xylitol when you bake, because that is toxic for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread?
Gingerbread is safe for dogs in small doses. You have to be careful with the nutmeg and the sugar amount in the gingerbread.
If your dog eats an entire container of nutmeg, they might experience some ill health effects such as hallucinations or even seizures.
But the tiny amount of nutmeg in a piece of gingerbread might not cause much harm. To be safe it’s always best to avoid it entirely though.
You also need to be careful with how much sugar your dog eats. Too much could lead to obesity or heart health problems.
My Dog Ate A Gingerbread House – What Do I Do?
If your dog ate a gingerbread house, just keep an eye on them. The worst that will happen is they get a bad stomach ache and vomit a lot.
Watch your dog and don’t give them any more food. Prevent them from drinking enough water to fill up their stomach because that could cause more vomiting.
It’s always a good idea to get them seen by the vet, just in case they need IV fluids.
Can Dogs Drink Ginger Ale?
No, you should not give ginger ale to your dog. The problem is the carbonation. If you wanted to water it down and let it sit out so the bubbles go away, then you could give your dog a little bit.
The ginger ale isn’t toxic. But the carbonation could give your dog gas or GI problems.
Yes, Dogs Can Eat Ginger
There you have it! Ginger is really good for your dog. Make them some homemade ginger treats. You can rest assured that ginger, by itself, is a really beneficial and powerful herb.
Be careful with treats or other foods that contain high levels of ingredients that could be bad for your dog, like salt or sugar.
Always watch your dog closely after they eat something new. Some dogs have very sensitive stomachs.
More Dog Food Resources
Here are more resources about what dogs can and cannot eat.
Find lots more articles on human food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!
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What is difference between a ginger snap and a ginger biscuit – and why is only one of the good for dogs?
There really isn’t much difference between a ginger snap and ginger biscuit. Both are okay as an occasional treat but shouldn’t be given too much or too often because of the sugar in them.