I Dream of Doggies

Is Cumin Good for Dogs?

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My wife and I frequently use ground cumin in our cooking – it’s actually her favorite spice. So that got us wondering: is cumin good for dogs?

Even though cumin is safe for dogs in small amounts, it doesn’t appear to have any health benefits. On the other hand, in large amounts, it can upset their stomach and cause digestive issues. If you’re looking for herbs and spices that are good for your dog, continue reading to learn more…

Cumin seeds.

Why You Shouldn’t Feed Your Dog Cumin

I spent a long time researching this article, but I couldn’t find any strong evidence indicating cumin is good for dogs. It’s just not something they need in their diet. Conversely, I found a lot of evidence suggesting it can upset their stomach and bowels, making it harder for them to digest food, despite the fact it is safe for them to consume in small amounts.

In general, it’s best not to feed your dog spicy or well-seasoned food. Even though there are some herbs and spices that are beneficial to canines, most of them do more harm than good.

Herbs and Spices That Are Good for Dogs

If you want to add some herbs and spices to your dog’s diet that are actually beneficial to them, try out some of these…

Ginger

Ginger is full of antioxidants. It can help dogs with inflammation, stiff joints, and arthritis. It may also improve digestion. However, you should only give your dog a very small amount per day – no more than 1 tsp.

Basil

Basil is also inflammatory, as well as antimicrobial and antiviral. Try sprinkling a small pinch of chopped basil on your dog’s food. When I prepare rice for my dogs, I put a few fresh basil leaves in the pot, and they seem to love it.

Pepperment

Not only can peppermint freshen up your dog’s breath a bit, it can also help with upset stomach, nausea, and gas. However, like all the other herbs on this list, use it sparingly. High doses of peppermint may cause liver and kidney problems.

Rosemary

A little bit of rosemary will add some extra calcium, iron, and B6 to your dog’s diet.

Oregano

Oregano has the same anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits as many of the other herbs on this list, but has also been used to treat poor digestion, gas, and diarrhea.

Cumin vs. Curcumin

Lastly, just to clear up any confusion, cumin and curcumin are not the same thing, even though they both have the word “cumin” in their names. Cumin, the spice, is made from the seeds of the Cumin plant. Curcumin is a chemical in turmeric that gives it its bright yellow color.

Curcumin is generally safe for dogs; however, just like cumin, the amount that is safe for dogs to eat is so small they likely wouldn’t get any health benefits from it.

References:

Rover. Can My Dog Eat Ginger? Retrieved from https://www.rover.com/blog/can-my-dog-eat-ginger/#:~:text=Yes!,also%20help%20dogs%20with%20arthritis.

Elizabeth Pask and Laura Scott. Herbs That Are Good for Dogs. Retrieved from https://moderndogmagazine.com/gallery/herbs-are-good-dogs?slide=6

Wikipedia. Curcumin. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curcumin

Jason Jensen
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