It is no secret that ginger for humans is a beneficial food. It has numerous advantages and enhances food flavors. But can dogs eat ginger?
Yes, dogs can eat ginger in moderation if the dog is not allergic to ginger! Be cautious and do not exceed 1 teaspoon of raw ginger.
Although a small amount of ginger is safe for dogs, you cannot give it to them in the form that humans consume ginger root. It has to be tailor-made to the canine’s preferences.
How to Tell if Your Dog is Allergic to Ginger?
Dogs and ginger are not always compatible with each other. Occasionally you will find a dog that is allergic to ginger! In this case, stop feeding your dog ginger immediately.
Let us understand how you can detect your dog’s allergy to ginger. There are a few signs and symptoms to keep a lookout for:
- Redness on skin
- Irritation and itchiness of the skin
Less common side effects of ginger in dogs include:
- Stomach ache
- Heartburn
- Gas
- Diarrhea
If your dog starts to show any of these side effects after eating ginger, stop giving it to them. You may also want to consult a vet and let him know you have been feeding your dog ginger.
Benefits of Ginger for Dogs
Although there is limited clinical experimentation done between ginger and dogs, ginger is considered to offer some benefits.
The benefits given to dogs are mostly similar to the ones that it offers to humans. Read about them to understand the true healing effects of ginger spice for dogs.
1. Helps Reduce Inflammation
It is no secret that ginger helps to soothe inflammation in the body. The most common inflammation-related disease is arthritis.
Arthritis is a joint and muscle problem that can cause stiffness and pain in your pooch. It can make his last years very miserable if not treated.
Senior dogs that suffer from pain and inflammation related to arthritis are likely to reap benefits from ginger consumption. Small doses of ginger are known to treat inflammation and it will ease the pain and stiffness related to joint issues in dogs.
2. Ginger has Anti-Cancer Properties
The most recent discovery regarding ginger relates to it being used as an anti-cancer agent. Daily or regular consumption of this spice can greatly reduce your dog’s chances of suffering from cancer.
This is great news since cancer is the leading cause of death for senior dogs. Adapting ginger into your daily dog feeding routine can very well help to extend their life.
3. Soothes Upset Stomachs
Dogs eat many things some of which are not edible, at least not for them! So it is common for your dog to have digestive issues. An upset stomach is usually linked to acid accumulation in the stomach.
Ginger is alkaline so using some natural ginger as a remedy helps to fix any stomach issue. People also use ginger in the form of ginger tea to treat upset stomachs and digestive problems.
Ever seen your dog eat grass? This is usually a sign of self-medication. It is done when a dog needs to eliminate something from the stomach (bad food or a parasite). This is usually when you can let your dog eat ginger for a stomach-related issue.
4. Provides Rare Minerals/Nutrients
Ginger is popular for the nutrients it contains. Gingerol is credited for being the main reason behind that gingery smell we have all come to love.
Apart from that trademark smell, gingerols are highly anti-inflammatory compounds that are rich in antioxidants. They make for a great natural and preventive substance that can improve the standard of your dog’s life.
5. Ginger Helps Reduce Micro filariasis in Dogs
Clinical testing of ginger for dogs shows that this root can actually reduce the micro filariasis population in dogs by a high amount. While ginger cannot completely remove and kill this mosquito-borne parasite, it can reduce its population greatly.
Note, this dip in population only occurs as long as the dog eats ginger. When this stops, the effects will also wither and stop. There are other canine medicines that are used to completely combat this parasite but ginger can be the initial step.
6. Helps With Bloating and Nausea
Dogs that are being fed a new diet are usually prone to bloating and vomiting. Even intolerance or sensitivity to a food item can cause these two symptoms.
Ginger in small doses can help remove the gas and stop any vomiting. You just have to find a way to give your dog ginger without making the symptoms worse!
Early trials with different edible ginger items will give you an idea of what ginger type your dog likes to eat.
How to give ginger to dogs?
Ginger root for dogs bears a distinct smell and taste, one not suited to all palates. Here are some tips to feed your dog ginger without scaring them off!
Can Dogs Eat Raw Ginger?
Yes, you can give raw ginger to your pooch in moderate quantity.
Raw ginger is very pungent and concentrated in terms of flavor and could be too strong for your pooch.
Dogs who like raw ginger will eat it and probably ask for more. If he licks you, paws at you, jumps, or cries, he likes it! Do not exceed more than 1 teaspoon of raw ginger.
Not all dogs will enjoy devouring this root in its raw form, and that’s okay. Playing with the ginger, barking at it, or leaving it alone are all signs of dislike. Don’t fret, there are other ways to introduce dogs to eating ginger.
Ginger Dog Treats
Dogs love treats, you can use this to your advantage! Use powdered ginger spice or small candied ginger to make canine-friendly treats. This way you can create a treat that acts as a reward as well as a health booster.
You can also bake ginger dog biscuits at home. And if you are not a world-class baker, there are other ginger dog treats available for purchase.
Sprinkled Over Food
If your dogs like to eat ginger, you don’t have to be so secretive and incognito. Simply sprinkle ginger gratings or powder over their food. This would make your life easier.
Just try to keep track of how much ginger you are feeding your dog to avoid an overdose.
Side Effects and Warnings When to Stop feeding ginger to dogs
Doting dog owners can never be careful enough and usually have a question about the safety of human food like ginger to dogs.
Is ginger safe for dogs? Ginger is safe only if consumed in moderate quantity by non-allergic dogs. It can be bad for dogs if consumed in very high amounts.
Certain circumstances call for a total stop to feeding your dog ginger.
Don’t let your dog eat ginger if…
a) Dogs Have a Pending Surgery
Dogs that are pending an operation should not eat ginger. This is simply because ginger has the ability to thin blood. Thin blood is not a desirable characteristic for carrying out a surgery on a dog or even a human.
When the dog recovers after the surgery you can consult your local vet about resuming their eating ginger.
b) Medications
You should be cautious feeding ginger to dogs if your pooch is on some medication. You should consult a vet on foods like ginger that can be fed to him. The active ingredients in ginger could react with any dog medications that he may be receiving.
This is bad news for your dog. If the active ingredients in ginger cause an alteration of the medicine, the medicine could become ineffective or produce some side effects.
c) Allergic Symptoms
Carry out an initial trial to ascertain if your dog is allergic to ginger. He may not be completely allergic but high sensitivity would be a cause for concern.
d) Pre-Existing Health Conditions
Dogs that have a history of diseases like Diabetes and heart disease should not eat ginger. Ginger can lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
This in turn can lead to a diminished state of your dog. If your dog suffers from any disease it is important to assess if the ginger will worsen the situation instead of improving it.
Too much ginger is dangerous just like garlic. Read about how much garlic can kill a dog.
Conclusion
If your dog eats ginger consider it a blessing since there are several benefits that outweigh the disadvantages provided he is not allergic to it.
In case your dog is not reacting well to the raw or powdered ginger, there are other ways to feed ginger to dogs. It’s just a case of becoming creative! Sadly, if this doesn’t work you may have to ditch the whole idea.
FAQS
How do you feed ginger to dogs?
How to use ginger for dogs depends on how sensitive your dog is to the taste of ginger. If he likes the taste, it can be eaten raw. If taste is an issue you may have to give it to him cooked in his food.
A last option is to disguise it in the form of a tasty treat! As his owner you will know exactly how to give it to your dog so that he can eat it without any issues about taste.
Can dogs eat ginger snaps?
Yes, dogs can eat ginger snaps only as an occasional treat.
This is due to ginger snaps have high sugar content and other hidden preservatives. These preservatives and sugar are hazardous to a dog’s body.
Instead you can try to recreate these ginger snacks with pet-friendly ingredients! You can even buy ginger dog treats from a pet store.