As we all know, food is life. But did you know that food can also be medicine? It is this very reason why it is so important to know what kinds of food we put into our bodies daily and how those foods will affect us. As humans, we can eat a wide variety of different foods, herbs, and spices without repercussion, and as a result, we might take common food items for granted and not think twice about feeding them to a beloved pet.
But unlike humans, dogs can’t always eat what we can (even though they may want too). And so, the importance of knowing what our dogs can eat and how it can affect them is the top priority for any good dog owner and cannot be stressed enough. So, can dogs eat ginger? Let’s find out.
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Ginger is used for its medicinal properties for many years. In Chinese medicine, it would traditionally be used to aid the stomach, digestive problems, nausea, and even the lungs. And as we all probably know, even nowadays the most common medicinal use for ginger is settling an upset stomach and fighting nausea.
Fortunately, dogs can also reap these same benefits. In small amounts, ginger can be given to a dog to help with motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, and irritated bowels. Keep in mind, though, that those aren’t the only benefits that your furry friend can enjoy from the ginger. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties, so much like for humans, it can also help dogs with things like arthritis, coughing, and back pain.
Ginger can come in many different forms these days, so there are many different options available to dog owners to experiment with and find what works best for their dog’s needs. For every 30lbs of your dog’s weight, you can safely give a dog a ½ teaspoon of fresh ginger (minced or chopped). You can then add it to their dog food or inside a little treat like peanut butter or a slice of ham. Or, if you’re a little bit more indulgent to your fur-baby, dogs can even enjoy it as an occasional treat like us humans do. So,
a gingersnap cookie or a sugared ginger candy is sure to leave your dog happy and just maybe even to feel a little bit better than before. There are even a variety of ginger dog treats or dog treats that contain ginger out there on the market if you want to avoid giving your dog a treat with sugar. There are also many ginger dog treat recipes out on the web as well that you can try if you’re a bit more savvy in the kitchen.
In general, giving ginger to dogs as food is the safest way for dogs to ingest and enjoy the benefits of ginger, but there are also ginger supplements that can be used as well. These should always be used with caution and always given to dogs in the proper dosage as labeled on the package or as instructed by a veterinarian. As ginger is a powerful herb with medicinal properties, it is very important that you do not give your dog too much and that you talk to your vet before using supplements.
Also, it isn’t recommended to give dogs ginger if they are pregnant, nursing, have diabetes, taking certain medications or have any other major health conditions—especially those relating to their blood pressure and blood sugar levels. This article does not substitute for professional advice, so always be sure to talk to your vet before giving your dog ginger. Be sure to know of your dog’s current health condition and if any medications they are taking could interact with ginger. It’s important to always monitor your dog closely when giving them something new, so if they have never had ginger before, give them a small amount to start.
If they show any signs such as vomiting, drooling, loss of balance, listlessness, or loss of consciousness, seek medical veterinarian assistance right away.
When properly given, ginger can be an excellent way to give your dog a delicious treat all the while keeping them healthy and happy. With the great variety of ginger treats out there, there’s sure to be one that your dog will just love. So, if your dog has been feeling a little carsick or nauseous lately, a little ginger treat might just be the ticket.
