Is Ginger Good For Dogs?

The sun is setting beautifully, you have taken your doggy for a walk in the park and packed some ginger cookies to have on the way.

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As you devour the cookies, your furry friend wants some.

Is it safe for you to share the ginger-filled cookies?

Yes.

A moderate amount of ginger is safe and possesses significant health benefits for your hound.

It contains antioxidants that assist dogs in fighting nausea, blood circulation, motion sickness, gastrointestinal problems, and bloating.

Ginger carries anti-inflammatory properties that relieve pain in pups suffering from arthritis.

This article will review ginger’s health benefits and the risks to consider when feeding your dog ginger.

We have compiled a simple recipe you can use to make ginger cookies too.

Ginger: a brief overview

Ginger is widely used for its taste like spice and medicinal value.

It is a perennial tropical plant with yellowish-orange flowers and a distinct spicy fragrance derived from its rhizomes.

The benefits of ginger are attributed to its natural properties, such as gingerol and shogaol, and various vitamins like vitamin C and carotenoids.

Humans gain a myriad of health benefits from ginger, leading to the question of whether dogs can also experience these properties.

Most pup experts agree that ginger is beneficial to dogs, too, as long as one confirms with their vet.

Some dogs may have allergies associated with ginger or its components.

What are the health benefits of ginger to your furry friend?

When taken in moderation, ginger offers these health benefits to your dog:

Ginger contains antioxidants with the chemical compound gingerol that prevent cell damage leading to cancer. It also improves your hounds’ memory and cognitive abilities.
It has vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B6, Iron, Magnesium, and vitamin C, which strengthen your doggy’s immune system.
Ginger fights nausea and motion sickness. Just like humans, a minimal amount of ginger can aid in eliminating a myriad of gastrointestinal problems in your dog. Use small amounts of ginger to treat your pup during long car drives when they develop motion sickness and nausea. Additionally, it’s anti-nausea which can help treat canine bloat that can lead to a deadly condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).
The chemical compound gingerol has natural anti-inflammatory qualities, which help in soothing hip and joint pains.
Healthy for the heart. It improves your hounds’ blood circulation by breaking up possible blood clots. According to research, little amounts of ginger lower high blood pressure and can be used to treat heartworm disease.

What are the risks of feeding your doggy with ginger?

Ginger is largely beneficial to dogs but contains some risks you should consider.

Always feed your furry friend small quantities of ginger, as huge amounts can be lethal.

Some of the risks are:

Stomach upset

Large amounts of ginger can upset your pup’s digestive system or cause heartburn.

When introducing your hound to food with ginger, put in minimal amounts—monitor how the dog reacts to the food that could denote an allergic reaction.

Common symptoms can be drooling, fatigue or vomiting.

Blood-thinning

Blood-thinning is a condition that results in blood taking longer to clot due to few platelets.

Consuming large amounts of ginger may lead to blood thinning.

Avoid feeding pregnant dogs or those preparing for surgery with ginger as it may cause excessive bleeding.

Tips to consider when giving your dog ginger?

The safest way to feed your hound ginger or any food is by first confirming with a veterinarian.

They will advise you on how to give new foods like ginger and negative reactions to observe.

Ask for the right amount of ginger your dog can eat relative to its size.

Common suggestions are that small breeds can have one-quarter of a teaspoon, medium ones can eat up to one-half, and large ones should stop at three-quarters of fresh ginger daily.

Follow these tips:

Make ginger water, tea, or smoothie. Dogs cannot have ginger ale; consider the alternatives mentioned above. Add a small pinch of ginger to the water, depending on your hounds’ size.
Bake ginger cookies or snaps. Cook some ginger cookies with no sugar and feed your pup as a healthy treat for unusual behavior.
Sprinkle grated raw ginger in the food. It works best with wet food for easy integration; however, you can mix grated ginger into kibble.

Ginger recipes for your pup

Some dogs might not like grated ginger; the easiest way to feed them with ginger would be by making ginger treats like cookies.

Here is an easy and fast gingerbread dog’s biscuit recipe.

Ingredients

3 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ cup vegetable oil
½ cup molasses

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees
Lightly grease a cookie sheet
Mix the flour, ginger, and cinnamon in a large bowl
Add the oil, molasses, and ½ cup of water to the dough
Let it sit for 15 minutes
Roll out the dough ¼ thick on a flat floured surface
Cut out cookies with a cookie cutter and transfer them to the prepared sheet
Bake about 20 minutes until firm

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is raw ginger safe for dogs?

Yes.

Raw ginger is safe for your dog when consumed in small quantities and may be the best form because it is whole and natural.

How much ginger can a dog eat?

Moderation is vital.
First, understand your dog’s size and the amount of ginger they can consume.
Most can consume less than one teaspoon of ginger; however, confirm this information with your vet.
Secondly, do not feed your furry friend with ginger daily.

Conclusion

A ginger treat for your dog is safe, considering the health benefits it stands to gain.

Avoid feeding your dog too much ginger as it causes stomach upsets and blood thinning.

Give your hound ginger in moderation, considering its size.

Whether raw or cooked, minimal amounts of ginger are safe for your furry friend.

Consider ginger treats like cookies as a reward for good dog behavior and training.

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Megan Turner

Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.

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