Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb commonly found in fresh and cooked salsa, pizza, and pasta sauces. The slightly bitter and pungent flavor is very bold and makes a dramatic impact on whatever recipe it’s found in. With a taste so intense, you might wonder if oregano is a dog-friendly herb you can share with your pup.
Oregano is toxic to dogs. While tiny amounts of oregano probably won’t produce noticeable effects, your dog might become sick if they get into a lot of it or munch on your herb garden. This is due to the oils in the plant. We think it’s best kept off your dog’s menu.
Why Can’t Dogs Eat Oregano?
Plants contain essential oils, which refer to the oil capturing the “essence” of the plant. The oils contain plant compounds that in some cases can have beneficial effects. The essential oils in oregano are irritants. When eaten, they can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, but they have also been noted to affect the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.
Risks of Oregano for Dogs
The main risk of eating oregano is that your dog will experience a gastrointestinal upset. Since the plant contains gastrointestinal irritants, your dog may experience some vomiting or diarrhea with ingesting this plant. Most of the time the effects from eating oregano will be mild. If your dog gets into oregano, monitor them for any side effects and contact your veterinarian if they occur.
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Dogs seem to tolerate more oregano oil than other species with the European Food Safety Authority allowing 106mg/kg in the food.1 Some vets will even recommend up to half a teaspoon of fresh oregano or ⅛ teaspoon of dried oregano as a food topper for the nutritional, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is acceptable as the amount of oil in the fresh plant is quite low at around 5%.2
Oregano has been linked to liver problems and abortions in people.3 While it’s unknown what causes this effect, we think it’s better to be on the safe side and avoid it in dogs where at all possible since there are plenty of safe fruits, vegetables, and herbs you can feed your dog without worrying.
What Can I Feed Instead of Oregano?
There are plenty of nutritious plants you can offer your dog without worrying about side effects. They are great sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to boost your dog’s health.
- Blueberries
- Boiled pumpkin
- Cranberries
- Rosemary (just a pinch)
- Watermelon
Final Thoughts
There are so many tasty and safer alternatives that we don’t think you really need to feed your dog oregano. However, if your dog has gotten into some, don’t worry— the side effects from eating a lot of oregano are usually mild. In some cases dogs with gastrointestinal upset may need medications, fluids, probiotics, or a bland diet to help them recover.
If you’re looking to add something to your dog’s meal, why not try a sprinkle of rosemary, or better yet, some blueberries, pumpkin, or watermelon?
Featured Image Credit: catalina.m, Shutterstock
