Oregano for a Pet Dog? Read This First!

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Oregano is a delicious addition to any dish. It also has plenty of powerful medicinal properties.

Do you want to add this herb to your dog’s diet?

Can I Give My Dog Oregano?Whether it is safe is up for debate.

The ASPCA lists oregano as having toxicity for dogs due to a potential for gastrointestinal irritation. We acknowledge that diarrhea and even vomiting are possible, but small amounts are harmless and even healthy.

In Moderation, Dogs Can Have Oregano

There are actually numerous uses for this herb.

Older dogs, in particular, often need help combating arthritis and that’s where oregano comes in with its outstanding antioxidants.

Moderate Use Is Okay

Oregano does a great job at enhancing taste and aroma for all sorts of meals whether they are grilled, fried or roasted and this goes for meat, fish and vegetables.

Whether your objective is to have a healthier hound or to simply introduce a new taste — your dog can be included assuming you don’t get carried away!

The Top Oregano Uses

The great taste is obvious but did you know that oregano can help with a sore throat, bronchitis, asthma and even the common cough?

Respiratory, gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and heartburn and other stomach issues may also respond.

Oregano could even work on infections including UTIs and certain heart problems.

Besides treating your dog’s wounds, other applicable skin problems are:

  • Insect bites (including bee stings)
  • Psoriasis
  • Ringworm
  • Warts
  • Canker sores
  • Acne

And again, oregano is a promising supplement for reducing arthritis in dogs (sadly all-to-common).

Is Oil of Oregano OK?

The first thing you should know about giving your dog this concentrated leave extract:

Oil of oregano is way too strong, possibly dangerous, in pure form. It must be well-diluted and, even then, you may have difficulty giving it to your dog — most animals reject the taste.

You can try putting weakened oil of oregano in tea, or simply mix it in with your dog’s food.

Once watered down, it is an antiseptic that prevents the spread of germs. The anti-fungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties will reduce bacteria and viruses.

Oregano is also a topical application for skin rashes and wounds.

Last but not least, oregano oil can help to keep a canine’s coat (and skin) looking healthy.

Other Herbs For Dogs

Basil is a safe herb for pets.

Another is Slippery Elm (Ulmus Fulva). Some say it can help to clear up a urinary tract disease, gastrointestinal tract inflammation, diarrhea, wounds, abscess and boils.

Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum) like oregano is rich in antioxidants and is said to prevent canine cancer, pancreatitis, liver problems and even hepatitis.

Finally, Hawthorn (Crataegus Oxycantha) may be useful for cardiovascular disease.

The Bottom Line

Go easy and you can add a bit of oregano to your dog’s diet.

For treatment of wounds, as an arthritis supplement, or simply sprinkling it onto food for taste — your dog can benefit and they may even enjoy it.

You can, of course, overdo it with this herb!

Oregano oil is particularly potent so be especially cautious with the liquid form.

What Do You Think? Have Your Say Below…

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34 thoughts on “Oregano for a Pet Dog? Read This First!”

  1. My dog has polycystic kidney disease and recurrent UTIs. I wanted to try oil of oregano diluted in carrier oil (1 drop of 100% essential in 5ml of olive oil). How much and how often should I use it?

  2. How many milligrams of oregano can I give my 35 pound Rat Terrier? He has a cough.

  3. I’m glad to learn that I can give oregano to my Rat Terrier. She’s 10 years old and has bad ears and skin problems. The fact is she’s old it will help with her aches and pains and as a antibiotic.

  4. I have a 35 pound Beagle that has insane itching from grasses, etc. Could somebody please advise me of something that actually works for these allergies? That would be amazing! I don’t know which of us is crazier over this, my poor pup or me from all the scratching, biting and licking!

    1. A little coconut oil may help.

    2. https://youtu.be/PMWxVG3jAno

      I just watched this yesterday evening. I think it will be very helpful for you. 1/4th teaspoon of coconut oil for every 10 pounds of your pooch’s weigh is recommended. I’m wishing your pet much relief and comfort.

    3. Cytopoint injections have worked wonders for our dog. Treatment can last 4 to 6 weeks during the main pollen season.

    4. I would dilute oil of oregano. I’ve used it for my dog and his scratching has easily dropped by 70% or near that. His skin has stopped welting and flaming. I’ve tried lots of alternative remedies, but nothing has responded so fast and easily as oil of oregano.

    5. Rosemarie says:

      You need to find out if the allergy is seasonal or dietary. My girl, a 4 year old Black Lab, has suffered with this for years and we’re just now getting it under control! Among other things, I add coconut oil to her food and before her bi-weekly bath. We give her skin a good rub-down. Labs are notorious for dry-skin issues. We just started using oregano oil for the dry, flakey bumps and the scent also repels mosquitoes. It helped tremendously!

    6. Hi Andrea. My Beagle suffered from allergies exactly like yours. I drastically changed her diet for an unrelated issue and years and years of itching, hot spots, head shaking, inflamed ears, etc. ended within 3 weeks of the restricted diet.

      I was cooking her chicken, rice, and green beans. Nothing else, no treats or milk bones, only what I cooked. It was astounding to see her other life-long issues just disappear. Whatever the ingredients are in commercial dog foods (I bought only the best supposedly), it was causing her great misery.

  5. How much oregano can I give my 60 pound dog per meal or per day? Also, can I use a regular bottle of spices that’s used for cooking?

  6. My pet has an infection in her left anal gland. Will Oregano oil help to get rid of the infection and how should I give it to her?

    1. Have a vet inject the anal glands with meds.

  7. Oil or dried herb? I am very familiar with both and love them. Oreganol is about the best and highest oil quality and derived from the proper oregano crops. The herbs in the supermarket are not and most commonly mixed with Marjoram.

    Look for Turkish or Greek oregano and source it from your local herb shop. Thank you for the info. Oregano and Flax will now go into their homemade food and treats. After all, they deserve the best.

  8. I buy a couple of Slim Jims at the corner store, cut off 1/2 an inch, slice it the oblong way being careful not to cut all the way through. Then I open it and add 1 or 2 drops Oil of Oregano (Not Essential oil of oregano since that’s only for the outside of the body) and then I close it back up. She eats it and still wants more.

  9. How many oil of oregano pills can I give my 34 pound dog? Also, how often a day? She’s suffering from allergies and ear mites.

    1. For ear mites there are several natural remedies with diluted white vinegar, almond oil with vitamin E, etc. For allergies I give my Shih Tzu 1 drop of oil of oregano in food, Manuka honey and homeopathic Apis Mellifica as well as Silicea.

  10. Gabrielle says:

    I have 2 dogs that get skin allergies and irritation every spring because of pollen. Every year I apply 1 part of oregano oil and 3 parts of virgin olive oil on their infected skin and it works all the time. But they walk around my house with the strong aroma of dog smell and the oil, not very pleasant.

    If I were to give it to them in their food, what amount of oregano oil would you suggest I give them? Would it be better if I mixed it in with olive oil, too? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

    1. I don’t know about oregano oil for dogs, but I recently discussed using it internally for myself. My doctor cautioned me because it is such an effective antibiotic that it can diminish the beneficial flora in our guts. She said she likes to urge people to use things externally most of the time.

      1. You can give oil of oregano gel caps. It’s all natural and helps with digestion and any parasites or bacteria in the intestines. You may want to try rubbing in into your feet and put some socks on, since your skin absorbs over 60% of what you put on it! I am going to put a small amount into a pill pocket for my dog and feed her one on a weekly basis.

      2. The wonderful thing about oregano oil is that it does not destroy beneficial flora like antibiotics do. Your doctor is misinformed.

        1. Tina, you are correct. Jana’s doctor is not up to speed about herbal medicine.

    2. Yes, believe it or not, it’s simply strong green tea. It will heal the bacteria and it is odorless. Couple of days tops. It’s great for itch and hot spots. They heal quickly.

      1. Another remedy for itchy skin is black tea with a crushed aspirin in it. Apply it with a cotton ball on hot spots.

    3. You might try Stinging Nettle instead. My ShihTzu had the same problem. The grass would start to grow and she would start to itch. My health food store has Stinging Nettle drops and the label tells you how many drops per pound.

      After only one week of nettle, the little dog didn’t itch anymore. So now I always give it through the growing season and she’s fine. I have never noticed any side effects.

  11. I was just told my dog has a chipped back tooth. It looks red and might be infected. The vet wants to pull it but I am against putting him under when he has an infection. He is 9 years old and I think pulling a tooth that’s infected will spread it. He has no issues eating and is not in pain, even though the vet said he might be. He loves his bones and plays like a puppy. Does anyone think that oil of oregano will help with the inflammation?

    1. I think it’s best to get rid of the infection. My guess is it can be treated like a human tooth. Ask for local anesthesia.

    2. Hi Linda. I am a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). It is highly recommended to get a dental cleaning and remove that tooth. The infection might be severe and can also create fistulas which will cause worse problems. The best solution is to get the tooth and infection under control by removing that tooth. Oil of oregano will only topically help the gum, but not affect it internally under the gum.

    3. I periodically have an infection in a root. I use oregano oil, for a few days, until the discomfort stops. I have so far avoided having to go to an orthodontist to have the root pulled out surgically. It is my belief, based on my own experience, that your dog’s gums actually would absorb the oil. Use only origanum vulgare in olive oil.

      I use 4 drops, 2-3 times a day, for 2-3 days only. A small dog would probably only need 1 drop. Here’s where one would need to talk to a Vet who has knowledge of essential oils because they can be toxic in high doses and/or for long periods.

  12. What oils can I give my dog to help combat papilloma virus (HPV)? He has warts in his mouth.

    1. I did some research and have found for my grooming clients, that when nothing else worked, the supplement FlexPet helped and quick. I thought it was just for joint health, but it’s loaded with immune system boosters, and it’s not crazy expensive.

    2. My dog had one for the first time. I had never heard of it. I had to wait a week as the vet surgeon was out of town for an estimate for surgery. In the mean time, I took a Q-tip and put some oil of oregano on it and rubbed it on the wart (it worked for my grandson’s warts, so I thought I would try).

      After 3 times of using it, the wart disappeared! My vet didn’t like the idea, but every place I read said that using oregano oil is okay for dogs and she didn’t swallow it, just rubbed it on the wart!

  13. I wanted to make chicken and carrots for my dog, a girl, but it seemed so plain. I wanted to add some spices but I didn’t know which ones were safe. When I make it for her I will add some parsley and oregano leaves. Thanks for the help.

    1. Hi Rosey! Thank you for the kind words. Sounds like Bonnie has a good chef. Please stop by and comment again sometime.

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