What You Must Know About Giving Your Dog Ginger!

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Ginger is obviously healthy for us humans, but what about for dogs?

Well, you’ll be happy to hear that your best buddy can benefit from this herb too.

Can I Give My Dog Ginger?Ginger not only offers numerous vitamins and minerals, but it’s also great for reducing nausea and stomachaches. It can even help your dog better deal with arthritic-related aches and pains.

Keep reading to learn much more about what fresh ginger can do for your pet but also how to safely share…

You Can Give Your Dog Ginger

And there are plenty of reasons to do so…

Powerful Properties For Pets

Ginger’s medicinal uses can be mostly attributed to Gingerol, the main bioactive compound.

It is commonly relied upon for alleviating stomachaches. In that sense, it’s a digestive aid.

What many people don’t know is that ginger may even provide critical relief when Bloat AKA Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) occurs which can be quite scary.

A more practical benefit is ginger’s ability to reduce arthritic-related joint pain. It is an excellent anti-inflammatory with outstanding antioxidants.

Ginger Root And Other Forms

You can add simply this spice to your dog’s diet by simply mixing a moderate amount in with their regular chow.

Of course there are also ginger capsules, root-based powdered forms, teas, etc.

Without other unknown ingredients, none are likely to harm a healthy dog. Just don’t get carried away!

Tips For Travel Use

So we know that ginger works wonders for motion sickness and/or nausea, but how to use it exactly?

Give your dog a few drops of ginger root extract about 30 minutes before a car trip. For a long journey, try a few drops throughout the drive.

There is also a calming effect!

A Heartworm Remedy

Yet another reason to give ginger is to reduce heart-worm larvae concentrations.

This is great news for infected dogs because normally the conventional treatment options contain potentially harmful chemicals.

For Fighting Cancer

Ginger can be given to dogs undergoing chemotherapy.

It lessens the queasy feeling, but also a tenancy to vomit. It is a valuable asset during cancer treatment.

However, too much of a good thing can be bad.

Heartburn, diarrhea, upset stomach, bloating and gas may occur due to excessive amounts.

Important Precautions

While ginger is pretty safe, there are a few exceptions.

The reason is this root tends to somewhat thin blood.

As such, caution is required with diabetic dogs or those with heart conditions. It is also not recommended prior to surgery.

Safe Amount of Ginger

You can give your dog between 1/4 to 3/4 of a teaspoon of pure ginger.

Stay within this range. Also adjust the amount based on body weight.

Pro Tip: Mince the ginger up after removing the outer skin.

And remember to be conservative — especially when feeding it to your dog for the first time!


FYI: Turmeric is another herb that dogs can eat.


The Bottom Line

Ginger can certainly be beneficial for dogs.

Your furry friend can have this herb whether or not you intend to use it for the medicinal qualities.

But while healthy, limit consumption to moderate amounts. Let ginger compliment your dog’s meals.

What Do You Think? Have Your Say Below…

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20 thoughts on “What You Must Know About Giving Your Dog Ginger!”

  1. So based on 35 pounds of body weight, I think my dog gets a 1/2 of a teaspoon of ginger. Is this once a day or a 1/4 twice a day?

  2. Thank you for sharing this nice article. I think it’s a good idea to mix ginger to your dog’s diet. I don’t see any problem with it in moderation.

  3. I have an overweight German Shorthaired Pointer dog. Will ginger help her lose weight? If so, how much and should it be grated fresh or powdered?

  4. My 8 year old Shih-Tzu got into my baking today and ate about 1 cup of gingerbread. Should I be concerned?

  5. My dog loves little chunks of dried ginger root. Is this an acceptable little treat?

  6. My only concern today with dogs eating grass is the runoff and direct use of pesticides in lawns and gardens. Dogs inadvertently ingesting these toxins may be causing intestinal issues as well as other health problems. Thank you for your informational article.

  7. Will it make any difference if I use powdered ginger in the preparation of baked chicken tenders for my small dogs? Should I use grated ginger root instead?

    1. I give my dogs the capsules that contain the powder. They don’t like the taste of the straight powder or the fresh ginger, even mixed with food.

      1. Hi Lisa. Would you mind telling me what size dog you have, its age, and breed? Also, how many milligrams of ginger are you feeding it? I want to give my 11 year old female black Lab ginger supplements and I am trying to figure out the correct dosage.

        1. Feed human-grade supplements and adjust according to your dog’s body weight. If your lab is 50 pounds give her 1/3 of a capsule per day, or a capsule every 3 days. But fresh ginger as with anything is best. I make puppy cookies with herbs and linseed. It’s easier than adding to meals.

  8. My dog has the worst bad breath. Is there anything I can do? Someone suggested ginger root but didn’t now the amount or how to give it to her. Any suggestions? I am in the process of changing her diet to see if her food is the cause. But I’d still like to know if anyone has any input about ginger root or any other remedy for this! Thanks

    1. Hello Jo. I would recommend TropiClean Fresh Breath products. Try the oral care kit, TriFlossBall, water additive or fresh breath foam. I have a rescue mutt that used to have bad breath. Now we brush his teeth at least once a week. We also give him Greenies or Whimzees, which are natural chew treats that clean the teeth, which helps as well. Avoid rawhide because it can have bacteria. Also, when you take her to the vet for her regular check-up, ask to have her teeth examined.

    2. Adding enzymes to the diet helps digestion and also probiotics. Breathing will also be better. Also, brush the teeth as much as you can.

    3. Switching to a raw diet will eliminate the bad breath. Also, you should be brushing your dog’s teeth. The brushing should be done regardless of the type of food the dog is eating. Don’t just cover up the odor; get rid of the cause.

    4. Pyewacket says:

      Get her to a vet and have her teeth evaluated! Dental problems are the number one cause of stinky dog breath.

  9. I have some Schweppes Natural Ginger Ale in my fridge. Can I give my dog a tiny puddle of it? He’s a 7 month old yellow Lab. He ate a whole lot of matted grass, stuff from when they mowed our lawn. I was wondering if a lick’s worth of it would hurt him at all. We’ve given him frozen yogurt before and he loved it with no digestive issues. He doesn’t look sick from the grass. Would it hurt him if he drank a drop or two that I spilled?

    1. Elizabeth says:

      Hi Kate. There’s no need to be concerned about your dog eating grass. Canines intentionally set out to eat yummy grass to settle their tummies. If your dog ate the grass, chances are they had an upset stomach. Dogs and cats routinely seek out grass for this very reason.

      Now, if the grass was chemically treated with something like a pesticide, you will need to have them seen by a vet. Most of those chemicals can be fatal in large doses, or small doses in smaller dogs.

      But if it was just everyday grass, your doggy will be just fine. Don’t be surprised if you do see some vomit with grass in it, that’s just their body doing exactly what it needs to do. I hope this helps. If you have any questions, email me any time at: pancakeandlizzy@yahoo.com

    2. Just make sure there are no pesticides. I buy organic wheat grass and cut it up for my dog. I add it to her food as a treat. It has lots of vitamins and she loves it!

  10. I was told that a little bit of raw ginger will help get rid of fleas. Is that true and how much is a little?

    1. Straight ginger juice might irritate your pet’s skin, but mixed in with a pet shampoo should be fine.

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