Ginger has long been used for everything from cooking and flavoring to being added to medicines. The benefits of ginger have been documented and proven effective for humans, but what about dogs?
Ginger is also considered beneficial for dogs and is recommended for them, albeit in small amounts. In case of dogs suffering from bleeding disorders, gall bladder disease, pregnant or nursing dogs, or those taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or anticoagulants, veterinary advice should be sought before considering any ginger supplements. In this article, we discuss how ginger can help dogs and the best way to give it to them.
A Little About Ginger
Ginger is a flowering plant that originated in southern China, where it has been used for over 5,000 years for flavoring and health benefits in humans.
It has also been used to treat stomach issues, such as diarrhea and nausea, as well as the following:
- Joint and muscle pain
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Menstrual cramps
- Stomach pain
- Skin burns
Ginger is a member of the Zingiberaceae family, which includes turmeric. Ginger is the root of the plant and can be eaten dried or fresh. It’s also made into capsules, extracts, and tablets.
How Can Ginger Benefit Dogs?
A few of the health benefits that humans experience are also proposed to benefit dogs. While there haven’t been enough studies on how ginger can benefit pets, it’s believed that it can help dogs in the following ways:
- Nausea: Ginger could help with nausea associated with motion sickness. This study on people discovered that giving ginger at least 30 minutes before a car ride had the same results as Dramamine. In a 1997 study on dogs, it was found that ginger could help reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea from cisplatin.
- Anti-inflammatory: Ginger also works as a natural anti-inflammatory, which contributes to joint and muscle health and could ease arthritis. It was shown in this study from 2021 to reduce inflammatory markers after spay surgery.
- Antioxidant: Ginger is known to be an antioxidant, which can potentially aid dogs with cognitive dysfunction as they age. It has been shown to have potential in treating and possibly preventing dementia in elderly people.
- Bloating and gas: Ginger may be able to help lessen gas and bloating and help decrease the signs and pain of digestive issues like inflammatory bowel disease.
- Heartworm: A study found that ginger can potentially reduce heartworm microfilaria (immature heartworms). The study was done on a form of injectable ginger and not as a dietary supplement.
How Much Ginger Can You Give to Dogs?
Almost all forms of ginger are safe to give to your dog, which includes fresh ginger, juice, and tea or ginger in powder form.
However, if you’ve ever eaten ginger, you know that it’s quite potent, so it must be given in moderation. The general guideline is that the most ginger that can be fed to dogs is 1/16 (0.0625) of a teaspoon per pound of the dog’s body weight. According to Dr Tori Countner, about 10 to 25 mg per pound of body weight is generally used.
Feed no more than 3/4 (0.75) teaspoon to large breeds and 1/4 (0.25) teaspoon to small dogs. Consult with your vet before giving your dog ginger, as some dogs may need to steer clear of it.
What Are the Best Ways to Give Ginger to Dogs?
There are all kinds of ways that you can feed ginger to your dog, so it will come down to what is easiest for you and whether your dog will eat it. From fresh, powder, or encapsulated supplements, you should find something to suit your dog.
You can add finely chopped or grated fresh ginger to their regular dog food. You can also try making homemade dog biscuits and adding ginger to the mix or making a dog-friendly smoothie and blending in a bit of ginger. You can even turn the smoothie into ice cubes for your dog on a hot day.
If your dog happens to like fresh ginger, you can peel the root, slice it thinly, and feed it directly to your dog.
What Are the Risks of Feeding Ginger to Dogs?
It is essential to only give your dog small amounts of ginger because large amounts can actually cause the very thing that it’s good at preventing: gas and bloating.
Dogs taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or anticoagulants shouldn’t have ginger because it can act as a blood thinner. This also means dogs with bleeding disorders or that are having surgery soon should not be given ginger. There may be interactions with other supplements, vitamins, and antibiotics, in which case it’s always important to consult a vet.
Ginger is known to lower blood pressure and blood sugar, so if your dog has diabetes or heart disease, speak to your vet before adding ginger to their diet. You also might want to talk to your vet if your dog is pregnant or nursing or has gallbladder problems. Finally, if your dog has a sensitive stomach or gastrointestinal issues, ginger might be too much for their system.
Overall, even if your dog is in perfect health, speak to your vet about ginger before adding it to your dog’s diet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Give Dogs Pickled Ginger?
No. Pickling uses either vinegar or brine, which is heavily salted. A small amount of salt is fine, but if your dog ingests too much, they can experience salt toxicity.
Sweet ginger pickles will likely have too much sugar, which is also not good for dogs. Some dogs might not even like pickled ginger, anyway.
Can Dogs Eat Ginger Biscuits?
No. If the biscuits are sweetened with sugar, they are not healthy for dogs, and if xylitol is used, they will be toxic. While sugar isn’t toxic, it can lead to all kinds of issues if dogs regularly eat it. They can experience an upset stomach, weight gain, and a higher risk of diabetes.
Are There Negative Side Effects to Ginger?
Some dogs might experience an allergic reaction to ginger, which might include hives, itchiness, and skin redness. They might also experience diarrhea, gas, and stomach pain. Although this is rare, there is always the potential risk. Check with your vet before giving it to your dog.
How Do You Store Ginger?
It depends on the ginger. If you have supplements in powder or capsule form, read the instructions on the label. For the most part, ginger supplements should be stored in a dry and cool place where they’re protected from moisture and light.
Ginger root can be placed in a sealed plastic bag or an air-tight storage container and stored in the crisper in your fridge.
Conclusion
Ginger is an excellent natural remedy that has been proven to provide great health benefits for humans. For most dogs, ginger is perfectly safe, but it’s important that you speak to your vet before adding it to your dog’s diet, as there are several circumstances where ginger should not be used. The benefits of ginger have not been studied so widely in dogs and much information is anecdotal or extrapolated from humans.
See also:
- Can Dogs Eat Gravy? Vet Reviewed Facts & Alternatives
- Can Dogs Eat Dried Mangoes? Vet Approved Nutritional Info & Risks
Featured Image Credit: gate74, Pixabay
