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Home » Can Dogs Eat Oregano? What You Need To Know

Can Dogs Eat Oregano? What You Need To Know

Renee Dobbs · March 29, 2022 · 2 Comments

dog in front of an oregano plant.
oregano plant.

You might use this in your cooking, but can dogs eat oregano? Here is what you need to know about dogs and oregano.

There are so many different ways to eat and prepare oregano, including using oregano essential oil. Before you share oregano with your dog, read this guide.

oregano plants.

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

Table Of Contents
  1. Can Dogs Eat Oregano
  2. Is Oregano Safe For Dogs
  3. Benefits of Oregano For Dogs
  4. Can Dogs Eat Fresh Oregano
  5. Can Dogs Eat Oregano Plants
  6. Are Oregano Plants Toxic To Dogs
  7. Is Oregano Plant Safe For Dogs
  8. Can Dogs Eat Oregano Leaves
  9. Can Dogs Take Oregano Oil
  10. Can Dogs Eat Dried Oregano
  11. Types of Oregano And Dogs
  12. Oregano For Dogs Cough
  13. Can Dogs Have Oregano For Inflammation
  14. Can Dogs Have Oregano In Their Food
  15. Can Dogs Have Oregano In Their Water
  16. Final Thoughts
  17. More Dog Food Resources

Can Dogs Eat Oregano

Pet owners love to add natural flavors to food for their canine friend and one of the best ways to do this is to sprinkle some fresh herbs on it.

Oregano is safe to add to dog food. Be careful with how much oregano you allow your pet to eat. Keep reading this guide to learn what the safe amount is and what to watch out for when you let your dog eat this tasty herb.

whippet dog in front of oregano plants.

Is Oregano Safe For Dogs

It is safe for dog owners to add oregano to their dog’s food in very small amounts. This is not known to be a toxic plant. However, be very careful with how much you give them. Some dogs do not digest oregano very well.

It is a very strong herb and some dogs will not react very well to it. The first time you give your pet oregano, watch for signs of intestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms are usually mild and most pets can digest oregano just fine.

Benefits of Oregano For Dogs

There are a lot of health benefits of adding oregano to dog treats or dog food. It is a powerful herb that people have used medicinally for decades.

These are the most common benefits of oregano:

  • Antibacterial properties
  • Antimicrobial properties
  • Medicinal properties
  • Fights free radicals
  • Natural antibiotic
  • Increases red blood cells
  • Vitamin A

Some dog owners use it to holistically help their pet with urinary tract infections too, but I suggest asking your veterinarian before treating any kind of disease at home.

Can Dogs Eat Fresh Oregano

Yes, dogs can eat fresh oregano. Only allow them to eat a tiny bit at a time to prevent digestive problems from the flavones and polyphenols.

Can Dogs Eat Oregano Plants

This popular herb is really easy to grow, and lots of people add it to their herb gardens. It is safe to grind up a tiny bit of fresh oregano leaves and add it to your dog’s food.

It’s not a good idea to let your dog eat an entire plant. Too much can cause upset stomachs in most dogs.

Are Oregano Plants Toxic To Dogs

Oregano is one of the non-toxic herbs but there is a thing called oregano poisoning that you should know about.

High doses of oregano could cause rare health effects in some dogs. If dogs eat too much at one time, they might experience digestive problems like abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

They could also experience the following other side effects:

  • Decreased blood glucose
  • Heart problems, like slow heart rate
  • Gastrointestinal ulcers
  • Bruising and bleeding disorders (slow clotting time)

If you notice your dog acting sick after eating oregano, please contact your veterinarian.

Is Oregano Plant Safe For Dogs

Oregano is one of the safe herbs that you can share with your dog. Oregano poisoning is very rare and only happens when dogs overeat oregano.

Can Dogs Eat Oregano Leaves

Yes, dogs can eat a tiny bit of oregano leaves, it all depends on how much oregano they eat.

Small doses probably won’t harm your dog, but eating a lot of leaves could give them an upset stomach.

Can Dogs Take Oregano Oil

Is oregano oil safe? Yes, it is, but you need to use it correctly.

Oregano essential oil has lots of health and wellness benefits. Be careful with how you use oil of oregano with your dog. This is a very strong essential oil that could cause skin irritation.

Never apply the oil directly to your dog’s skin without a fatty carrier oil. Mix oregano oil with either olive oil or coconut oil before all topical applications.

Since this is such a strong oil, it is not recommended to diffuse it around dogs. Canines have sensitive noses and this overpowering oil could make them sneeze or irritate their breathing.

bottle of oregano essential oil and fresh oregano.

Can Dogs Eat Dried Oregano

Dried oregano is safe to sprinkle in your dog’s food or add to their homemade treats. Only give your dog a little bit of it at once.

a bowl of dried oregano next to fresh oregano.

Types of Oregano And Dogs

The oregano plant comes in many colors and varieties. All of them are safe to share with your dog. Here are the most common types of oregano.

  • Black Oregano
  • Cuban Oregano
  • Green Oregano
  • Italian Oregano
  • Variegated Oregano
variegated oregano plant.
Variegated Oregano

Oregano For Dogs Cough

Always talk to a veterinarian before treating your dog’s health at home. Lots of pet owners use oregano oil to treat kennel cough, thanks to its antibacterial properties.

A drop of oregano oil with some coconut oil is how most people give it to their pets. Pet Care Advisors suggests giving dogs “1-3 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil” three times a day.

If your pet has a sore throat from the coughing, adding a little honey to the oregano oil might help coat and soothe their throat.

Can Dogs Have Oregano For Inflammation

Yes, oregano has anti-inflammatory properties, so small quantities of it can be shared with your pet to help with joint pain.

Be careful with topical treatment with oregano oil because it could irritate your dog’s skin. Always use a carrier oil.

Can Dogs Have Oregano In Their Food

Yes, many pet parents add oregano to their dog’s food because of the oregano health benefits in this medicinal herb.

Remember, excessive amounts could cause stomach pain and other issues, so only use a small amount.

Can Dogs Have Oregano In Their Water

Yes, dogs can have oregano in their water, but they probably won’t like it very much. Some pet parents like to add some oregano leaves to the water to help fight their dog’s bad breath.

Final Thoughts

So, should dogs eat oregano? Even though it is a safe herb, be careful with how much you share with them. They might not react very well to the strong herb. You should also be extra careful when you use oregano oil on your dog. Too much of it could give your pet skin rashes.

More Dog Food Resources

Here are some more helpful articles about spices and foods dogs can and cannot eat.

  • Can Dogs Have Salt and Pepper
  • Can Dogs Eat Cockles
  • Can Dogs Eat Rosemary
  • Can Dogs Eat Salmon
  • Can Dogs Eat Sunflower Seeds
  • Can Dogs Eat Zucchini
  • Herbs Dogs Can Eat
  • Safe and Toxic Nuts for Dogs
  • Spices Dog Can Eat

Find lots more articles on food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!

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fresh oregano on a table.

Filed Under: Dog Info, Herbs and Spices, What Can Dogs Eat

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tamie Terrell says

    December 24, 2022 at 11:51 pm

    My name is Tamie I have three dogs two are 22 pound cocker spaniels and 80 pound black lab. They all have Giardia and I need to know the amount of oregano to give them. What is a safe amount to give them? Thank you

    Reply
    • Renee Dobbs says

      December 28, 2022 at 6:14 am

      Please ask your vet about how much oregano to give your dogs. Your vet will know your dog’s medical history and can best determine the amount.

      Reply

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faces of a woman and two whippets. Hey! I'm Renee and these are my hounds, Luke and Milo. I love dogs and created this website to celebrate them. Here you can find dog tips, products, and info. Read more about Spoiled Hounds.

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