The easiest way to use herbs for your dog’s food is by adding a small pinch for small dogs and up to a teaspoon for large dogs. The antioxidants found in the list below can help your dog’s immune system combat diseases and reduce inflammation.
ALOE VERA
Aloe Vera is one of the best herbs for dogs because it contains amino acids, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and magnesium as just some vitamins. As an anti-inflammatory,
Need a wound to heal? Aloe vera quickly helps wounds to heal. It is a safe and effective antioxidant.
ALFALFA Used as an antioxidant to reduce pain and swelling for arthritis alfalfa Contains calcium, iron, folate, copper, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and Vitamins B1, B12, C, D, E, and K. Alfalfa is great for nutritive bone-building or even as a diuretic.
ANISE SEEDS
Used as an antioxidant to prevent many health diseases. Anise Seeds are rich in B-complex Vitamins, and vitamins A and C. Anise seeds are disease prevention full of antioxidants and promote many health benefits.
CAROB
Containing potassium and calcium Carob can improve digestion. It has very little fat and no caffeine, Calcium is a must-have addition to your dog’s food. Carob is a natural sweetener that helps you to absorb calcium.
CARAWAY SEEDS Caraway seeds are known as a warming herb, meaning they hope your body stays warm. They’re also great for muscle health, preventing constipation, and removing toxins from the body. They can be ground for using in-home treats or baked in the oven and added to your dog food.
CATNIP Okay, catnip isn’t just for cats. It has a mild tranquilizing effect on animals, which is effective for treating nervousness, restlessness, and insomnia. The added benefit of being a gas reliever makes it a great treatment for diarrhea, and flatulence and is especially effective in treating the early signs of a cold, the flu, or especially bronchitis. Put some fresh leaves and drinking water or sprinkle the dry herbs onto your dogs’ meal. The recommended dose is ⅛ – ½ half teaspoon per pound of food.
CHAMOMILE
They use this as a sedative to ease anxiety and insomnia. While this is a safe herb, some dogs are allergic to the herb, so be watchful when applying it to your dog. Chamomile is mainly used to aid in anxiety and insomnia. Pregnant dogs should not use Chamomile.
CHIA SEEDS The seeds of a chia plant help with cholesterol and blood pressure, which helps to reduce the risk of heart disease. They are easy for dogs to swallow because they have no odor or taste, which means your dog won’t even notice that you’ve added anything new to their meals. Grind up the seeds into your dog’s food, eat raw, or even added to water. The multiple benefits of Chia seeds include cleaning out the intestines, slowing digestion, and allowing your dog’s body to absorb more of the nutrients Chia sees provides. Chia seeds contain high quantities of protein, up to five times the amount of calcium in milk and boron. Boron is a trace mineral that aids in the absorption of calcium into your dog’s bones.
CILANTRO Cilantro or better known as Coriander is a digestive aid for dogs with tummy issues. For an underweight dog, it can help to stimulate the appetite. Cilantro helps to relieve gas or indigestion.
CINNAMON
With a lightly sweet flavor, cinnamon has some of the highest anti-oxidant levels of all food sources. Just like people, you’ll want to make sure your dog doesn’t have a negative reaction to cinnamon. Cinnamon is used to relieving vomiting and helps with stomach digestion.
DANDELION They use this herb as a safe diuretic and liver stimulant. It also increases the bile flow to the gallbladder for dogs suffering from liver congestion, gallstones, and other liver problems or gallstones. The flowers from the dandelion are high in Lecithin, useful in reducing pain, and are a mild painkiller. Dandelion flowers and greens should be dried and placed on top of your dog’s food. The recommended dose is one teaspoon of dried herbs for every 20 lbs of weight.
DILL
Dill has a multitude of benefits, from improving appetite and digestion to flatulence. Here’s a list of the many benefits of adding Dill to your dog’s food.
Eases bloating from gas and improves digestion.
It can help to relax the colon and can stop diarrhea.
A natural mouth-washed if eaten.
Detoxifies the body.
An antihistamine to clear respiratory congestion from allergies or coughs.
FENNEL Fennel is full of Vitamin A and C. Niacin, Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, and Omega-6 fatty acids are all included in the Fennel herb. Its best use is as a detoxifier and digestive aid.
FLAXSEED We use ground flaxseed in place of oil in a dog’s diet. Either ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil helps significantly in canine cardiovascular health. An important source of fiber and antioxidants. Flaxseed might have a positive effect on tumors. Full of Omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. It helps improve a dog’s coat and aids in the digestive system.
GINGER Ginger should use sparingly as it can cause stomach upset, especially on an empty stomach. This herb aids in nausea, gas, motion sickness, heart problems, and joint inflammation of an arthritic dog. It’s good for reducing fever and can protect against viruses. It can decrease blood sugar levels and help to absorb the medication. Ginger should not be fed to a dog with a gastric ulcer or pregnant dogs.
GREEN TEA Foremost, you will only want to use decaffeinated green tea. Green tea is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce heart disease. It can help aid in cancers like skin, lung, colon, breast, and esophageal cancer. A nutritional powerhouse that has Vitamins A, C, E, and K and folate, iodine, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, copper, and manganese. Green tea benefits thyroid conditions and can enhance a dog’s coat. Green tea has a natural calming effect on dogs.
LICORICE Licorice is an effective anti-inflammatory herb. It works because it contains glycyrrhizin, which is like having natural corticosteroids released by the adrenals. Licorice is useful for treating Addison’s disease. It acts on the digestive system by promoting cell growth and helps to ease ulcers. This herb has been known to help with upper respiratory tract infections and ease coughs for bronchitis. The best way to use licorice for dogs is to feed your dog tinctures of the herb. Cautions: Licorice can raise blood sugar levels and should be used cautiously in pets with diabetes. Check with your vet before using. You should never use licorice for dogs with heart disease.
MILK THISTLE Milk Thistle is an herb known as the “liver herb.” They use it in both pets and humans alike. Extensive studies have found that milk thistle is safe in treating liver disease and other conditions like kidney disease. Popular among holistic veterinarians, it scavenges free radicals and can stabilize liver cell membranes, while stimulating the production of new liver cells. While taking too much milk thistle can cause stomach upset, it has an excellent safety record and no known drug interactions.
OREGANO
Oregano contains Vitamins K, anti-oxidants, iron, manganese, and fiber. A natural source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Oregano has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties.
PARSLEY LEAVES They pack parsley leaves full of Vitamins including Vitamin C, carotene, iron, and calcium. This herb can stimulate the kidneys and filter out toxins, which increases urine. Parsley leaves can freshen a dog’s bad breath. “Spring Parsley” is toxic for both dogs and cats. Spring Parsley contains high levels of furanocoumarin, which causes photosensitization and ocular toxicity.
PEPPERMINT Peppermint has a soothing effect on an upset stomach. Have a respiratory infection? Viral Infection? Or skin condition? Peppermint herbs can provide relief, including flatulence and indigestion. Peppermint with ginger helps to relieve motion sickness in pets. Always keep peppermint oil away from a dog’s eyes and any sensitive skin areas.
PUMPKIN SEEDS Pumpkin seeds are great for humans and dogs but in different ways. A natural source of unsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, amino acids, and vitamins C, D, E, K, and most of the B Vitamins. By using ground-up raw pumpkin seeds, you can easily treat worms and itchy skin. The best way to serve pumpkin seeds is to place them into a coffee grinder and sprinkle about ½ teaspoon on your dog’s food, and your dog will be worm free.
ROSEMARY
Rosemary has the disease and health-promoting properties. High in fiber and full of vitamins, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal.
THYME Some suggest that Thyme has anti-cancer properties. Thyme is full of Vitamins K, iron, calcium, manganese, fiber, and photochemical. It’s great for skin, respiratory system, and brain function. Use dry and sparingly on your dog’s food or bake it into their homemade treats.
TURMERIC It’s well known that turmeric is in curry dishes because of its peppery and bitter flavor, with an orange and ginger color. Touted as an anti-inflammatory, they find it to be safe for dogs and cats. Veterinarians will often recommend adding up to ¼ a teaspoon a day to a dog’s food. Pair with black pepper or oily components like olive oil or coconut oil for proper intake. Turmeric works fantastic in arthritic dogs by using it as a powder or crushing it on their food. – House that Barks
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