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Peppermint (Mentha piperita) makes an appearance in so many things we eat and drink, particularly around the holidays! But many also use peppermint for its homeopathic uses, of which there are a number of potential benefits to humans. But can peppermint benefit our dogs? Is it even safe for them?
A small amount of fresh or dried peppermint leaves are generally safe for dogs, but is not usually recommended.
In this article, we’ll discuss why you shouldn’t give your dog peppermint and take a closer look at the risks of feeding peppermint to your pup.
Why Can’t Dogs Eat Peppermint?
Dogs will likely be fine if they eat a few peppermint leaves, but there can be some issues. Particularly if your dog ate too much or the wrong form (like candy).
If a dog eats too much peppermint, they may experience gastrointestinal signs including vomiting and diarrhea. It can be challenging to figure out how much is too much to give your dog, and that’s when some of the above signs might occur.
Also, bear in mind that dried peppermint is more concentrated than fresh leaves, so only a tiny amount is considered safe.
Ingesting
If a dog ingests peppermint oil, they might experience:
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If the dog ingests too much, it could lead to seizures and even liver failure.
Inhaling
Some of us enjoy using diffusers with essential oils, including peppermint. However, this can be potentially quite harmful to your dog (and especially cats if you happen to have them).
What diffusers do is disperse scent. If your dog inhales any of the droplets of essential oil, it can cause:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Breathing difficulties
This can be even more dangerous for dogs with asthma or have flat faces. And if any of the essential oil lands on your dog’s coat, they can potentially ingest it when grooming themselves.
Topical
As you can imagine, putting peppermint oil on your dog’s coat is not a good idea. You may have heard that it works well at eradicating fleas and ticks, but there hasn’t been proper research conducted to support this.
And the amount of peppermint oil you would need to use for it to have any effect on parasites would be highly toxic to dogs. It can additionally be irritating to your dog’s mucous membranes and skin and can enter the bloodstream. There are far safer flea treatments out there.
Why Do Some Dog Owners Give Their Dogs Peppermint?
Peppermint has been used to help settle an upset stomach, which is why it’s so tricky to use. The right amount may help the stomach, but just a little too much upsets it.
It’s also been used to freshen their breath, which can prove beneficial, but mainly for us.
Are Other Mints Safe for Dogs?
Concentrated forms of peppermint, like essential oils, are not recommended for the very fact that they are highly concentrated. The same can be said for peppermint extract.
Peppermint oil is extracted from peppermint leaves through steam distillation and contains menthol and menthone in high concentrations.
Is It Safe to Feed Your Dog Anything with Peppermint Flavor?
The safest form of peppermint is fresh or dried leaves, and these are still only safe in small and occasional amounts. Peppermint candy, which includes candy canes, breath mints, and gum, is not safe. And anything labeled sugar-free might potentially contain xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs even in relatively small amounts.
Toxicity can occur as quickly as 15 minutes after ingestion and causes life-threatening low blood sugar levels and can lead to liver failure.
And, of course, any peppermint and chocolate combination is toxic, thanks to the chocolate. Chocolate is notorious for being unsafe for dogs and can affect the neurological and cardiovascular systems. It can even lead to seizures and death in high amounts.
Are Other Mint Leaves Okay?
Spearmint is as common as peppermint and is safe in very small amounts, but can also cause gastrointestinal problems of vomiting and diarrhea if dogs eat too much.
Wintergreen is technically not a mint but is sometimes mistaken for mint due to the similarities in its leaves. It is highly toxic because it contains methyl salicylate. It can lead to kidney problems and liver failure.
Pennyroyal is part of the mint family and is also very toxic because it contains the pulegone chemical. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and severe liver damage.
Are Dog Products Containing Mint Safe?
Companies that manufacture products for dogs sometimes incorporate tiny amounts of peppermint (sometimes only 0.1%), so they are safe for dogs.
Remember, when you read the ingredient list for products for your dog, the lower the ingredient is, the less that is included. The top five ingredients are the primary ingredients. Always talk to a vet first before giving your dog any piece of food you wouldn’t be sure about.
If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Conclusion
Your dog should not be given peppermint unless a vet has recommended it. Some dogs might get quite ill after eating peppermint. And remember to avoid wintergreen, pennyroyal, and anything just flavored with mint—no chocolate, ice cream, or candy.
While peppermint is something we can enjoy in our teas and candy canes, it’s not the best choice for our pets. And this includes using it in diffusers.
Always consult a veterinarian if you’re concerned about your dog’s health—they can provide you with safe and effective treatments.
Featured Image Credit: manfredrichter, Pixabay
