· by Glendon Lloyd Dip.Canine.Nutrition Dip.Dog.Nutrigenomics
Spices for Dog Food – Which Can They Eat?
Summary
Spices have been used for centuries in both culinary and medicinal contexts, offering a wealth of benefits for humans and animals alike. In this detailed guide, we explore the best spices for dog food, focusing on their safety, health benefits, and historical use. This article provides a comprehensive list of spices that are safe for dogs, those that should be avoided, and the specific health areas where spices can make a significant impact. From digestive health to skin and coat care, spices can play a pivotal role in enhancing your dog’s overall well-being.
Spices have been an integral part of human history, valued not only for their ability to enhance the flavour of food but also for their medicinal properties. The use of spices dates back to ancient civilisations, where they were traded as precious commodities and used in various cultural rituals, including healing practices.
In traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spices like turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger have been used for their anti-inflammatory, digestive, and immune-boosting properties. These ancient practices recognised the potent health benefits of spices long before modern science began to validate their efficacy through research. (1)
Difference Between Medicinal Herbs and Medicinal Spices
While both herbs and spices are used in cooking and for medicinal purposes, they differ primarily in their plant origin and the parts of the plant from which they are derived.
Medicinal Herbs: Typically come from the leafy, green parts of plants. Examples include basil, parsley, and oregano. Herbs are often used fresh or dried and are known for their mild flavour and aromatic properties.
Medicinal Spices: Are usually derived from other parts of the plant, such as seeds, roots, bark, and fruits. Examples include cinnamon (bark), turmeric (root), and cumin (seeds). Spices tend to have a stronger, more intense flavour and are often used in smaller quantities.
What Spices are Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Not all spices are safe for dogs, but several can be beneficial when used appropriately. Below is a comprehensive list of spices that are safe for dogs to eat, along with their benefits:
Mechanism: Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels and has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It is beneficial for heart health and managing diabetes in dogs. (2)
Mechanism: Cardamom has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to soothe the stomach and improve digestion, making it useful for dogs with gastrointestinal issues.
Benefits: Aids digestion, reduces inflammation, and supports respiratory health.
Mechanism: Coriander helps to regulate blood sugar levels and improve digestion. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit dogs with joint issues.
Mechanism: Anise is beneficial for the digestive system, helping to reduce bloating and gas. It also has mild sedative properties that can calm dogs in stressful situations.
Benefits: Aids in digestion, reduces gas, and calms the nervous system.
Mechanism: Paprika contains antioxidants that support immune health and improve circulation. It also adds a flavourful boost to dog food without being too spicy.
Mechanism: Black pepper is known for its ability to enhance the absorption and bioavailability of other spices, particularly turmeric. Piperine, the active compound in black pepper, can increase the efficacy of curcumin in turmeric by over 2000%. (4) However, it should be used at nutritionist-recommended levels to avoid potential gastrointestinal irritation.
Benefits: Enhances the efficacy of turmeric, supports digestive health, and improves nutrient absorption.
What Spices Should Dogs Not Eat?
Some spices can be harmful or toxic to dogs and should be avoided at all costs. Below is a list of spices that are unsafe for dogs, along with the reasons why:
Reason for Danger: Nutmeg contains myristicin, a compound that can cause severe neurological symptoms in dogs, including hallucinations, disorientation, and seizures. In large amounts, it can be fatal. (5)
Reason for Danger: Onion powder contains compounds called thiosulfates, which are toxic to dogs and can cause haemolytic anaemia. Even small amounts can be harmful. (6)
Reason for Danger: Like onion powder, garlic powder contains thiosulfates. While garlic in small, controlled amounts can have medicinal properties, powdered garlic is too concentrated and may lead to toxicity if fed in extreme doses. (6) This article Garlic Toxic for Dogs? The Facts (and Fiction) outlines the benefits and cautions of adding garlic to dogs’ nutritional regime.
Reason for Danger:Cloves contain eugenol, which can be toxic to dogs in large quantities, potentially leading to liver toxicity and gastrointestinal issues. (7)
Reason for Danger: Mustard seeds contain compounds, like glucosinolates, that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and diarrhoea. They can also irritate the stomach lining. (8)
Reason for Danger: While there are some benefits for chilli powder, particularly from the bioactive compound capsaicin, it is generally too spicy for dogs and can cause severe gastrointestinal upset, including pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea so it is best avoided.
Reason for Danger: Cocoa powder contains theobromine, which is highly toxic to dogs. It can cause symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhoea to seizures and death. (9)
Areas of Dog Health Spices Benefit
Best Spices for Digestive Health
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Mechanism: Soothes the digestive tract, reduces nausea, and combats inflammation.
Bioactive Compounds: Gingerols, shogaols
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Mechanism: Reduces gas and bloating, aids in digestion, and has antimicrobial properties.
Bioactive Compounds: Anethole, fenchone
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
Mechanism: Soothes the stomach, improves digestion, and has antioxidant properties.
Spices can be a powerful addition to your dog’s diet, offering a range of health benefits from improving digestion to supporting joint health and boosting the immune system. However, it’s essential to choose spices that are safe for dogs and avoid those that can be harmful. By incorporating safe spices into your dog’s meals, you can enhance their overall health and well-being naturally.
As always, consult with a veterinarian before introducing any new spices or supplements into your dog’s diet, especially if your dog has existing health conditions or is on medication. With the right approach, spices can be a valuable part of a holistic, balanced diet for your canine companion.
Bonza Superfoods and Ancient Grains, a scientifically developed plant-based dog food, includes a number of medicinal herbs and spices understood to benefit certain aspects of dog health as outlined above.
About Glendon Lloyd Dip.Canine.Nutrition Dip.Dog.Nutrigenomics
I have had dogs from the day I was born. Much to my Mum's amusement, my Dad bought home Zetta, a beautiful corgi puppy on the day, as his contribution to our new family!
Fast forward to 2018 and Catherine, my wife, and one of our dogs Poppy, were both diagnosed and treated for cancer within months of each other
Diet and its impact on health, cancer particularly, led me down a rabbit hole of discovery.
I consumed information voraciously - on our diets, our dogs' diets and the impact these have not just on health but also the health of our increasingly fragile planet.
I was humbled by the time and expertise given so freely by doctors and vets, canine nutritionists and scientists, academics and agronomists. The more I learned the more I understood there had to be a better way to improve not just our health but also our dogs and the planet's.
The result of my trip down that rabbit hole is Bonza, a plant-based dog food that elevates our dogs' diet beyond simple nutrition to a diet that inspires a healthier everyday life for our dogs and the planet.
I am continually researching the nutritional impact our dogs' diets have on their health and wellbeing and the ingredients and nutrients we should include in, and exclude from, their food to deliver longer, healthier lives.
I am delighted that my trip down the rabbit hole has led to me completing a Diploma in Canine Nutrigenomics and a Diploma in Canine Nutrition being awarded a Distinction for both my coursework and theses!
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