Can Dogs Eat Cumin and Other Spices?

Spices are sometimes used in pet food, but can dogs eat cumin? You likely have a bottle of cumin in your kitchen right now, but like all spices, you must be careful what your dog eats.

Cumin has been used for centuries in many different cuisines around the globe. It is very aromatic, earthy, and has a slight peppery flavor.

According to Dr. Dany Paul Baby, “For generations, people have used cumin to treat conditions ranging from indigestion and diarrhea to headaches. People in India have used it to treat kidney and bladder stones, eye disease, and even leprosy.”

Dr. Baby says scientific research is finding evidence that backs up many of these traditional uses.

Yes, dogs can eat cumin in moderation and under the direction of your veterinarian, but you must use caution.

Never overload your dog’s system with too many herbs, spices, or seasonings because you want your pup to reap the benefits without overloading their delicate bodies. Here’s what you need to know about cumin for dogs, if it’s safe, the proper dosage, along with other spices that may be dangerous to dogs.

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I am also an Etsy and Chewy affiliate.

Can Dogs Eat Cumin?

Cumin comes from the cumin plant, which happens to be a member of the parsley family. When purchased, it generally comes as a ground powder or whole dried seeds.

There are potential health benefits in adding cumin to your dog’s diet IF it is the right dosage, the proper type, and you’ve cleared it with your dog’s veterinarian first.

There are different types of cumin seeds that vary in their oil content and flavor. On their own, cumin seeds tend to be hot, sharp, and have a bittersweet taste. This is why cumin seeds or powder are added to many Indian and Middle Eastern foods. 

In small amounts, cumin is generally safe for dogs. In large doses, it can trigger digestive upset or gas because cumin and dogs don’t always go together.

Some people use cumin as an additional way to give their senior dogs a boost of energy or to enhance their immune systems.

I would not recommend buying cumin and simply sprinkling it on your dog’s food without understanding the safe dosage, if your dog can tolerate it, and what your dog’s vet has to say first. 

Dogs with a history of thin blood or who are on blood thinners should not be given any sort of supplement, including cumin, turmeric, or curcumin without consulting a veterinarian first. 

Is Curcumin The Same As Cumin For Dogs

Although they sound the same, curcumin and cumin are not the same. Curcumin is the active portion of turmeric while cumin is its own unique spice.

Each has its own properties, have several qualities in common, but are different. One study called curcumin “cure-cumin” for its many beneficial qualities. 

I remember it this way: Curcumin is the compound in turmeric, meaning its the most active ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin is a very popular spice that has found its way into dog foods, supplements, and treats thanks to its extensive list of therapeutic uses. 

Turmeric may help boost a dog’s cardiovascular health, improve memory, protect against anemia, cancer, arthritis, irritable bowel issues, strokes, and even help overweight dogs and their metabolism when trying to lose weight. 

Not all turmeric is created equal, though, so always choose a supplement from a reputable brand, read verified reviews online, and talk to your dog’s vet. There are some really amazing holistic vets these days who do phone consultations for a fee.

On its own, the curcumin in turmeric can be difficult to absorb in a dog’s delicate system. This is why you will often see turmeric paste or products that contain things like coconut oil or another more easily absorbed ingredient. You’ll often hear about golden paste, which is a recipe that is turmeric-based and more easily absorbed into a dog’s system. 

Here are a few other curcumin-based supplements that are easy to administer.

Be warned, dogs with sensitive stomachs may have digestive upset from these products, so use caution, talk to your veterinarian, and keep track of all supplements and doses in the DogMinder.

Can Dogs Eat Garlic?

If I had a dime every time someone asked me if dogs can eat garlic, I’d be a rich woman. Veterinary sources I trust, agree that in moderation and if used properly, garlic is safe for dogs.

Garlic contains the compound thiosulfate. In large amounts, it can lead to hemolytic anemia in dogs, which can make them sick or worse.

Renowned veterinarian and co-author of The Forever Dog, Dr. Karen Becker, explains why many online resources tout garlic as dangerous to dogs:

IMAGE

If I asked 20 veterinarians how much garlic is safe to feed dogs, I’d likely get 20 different answers. Here are what Dr. Judy Morgan: have to say about dogs and garlic:

“A lot of people claim dogs will die when fed garlic, but that simply isn’t true. Fresh crushed garlic can also be added to your dog’s diet for flea protection. Anywhere from 1/2 clove to 2 cloves daily would be considered safe, depending on size of the dog. A good rule of thumb would be no more than 1/2 clove per 20 pounds of body weight daily, with a maximum of 2 cloves for any size dog. However, if you have a pet that has a history of hemolytic anemia, it would be safer to avoid use of garlic in any form.”

The Pet Poison Helpline has this to say about garlic, “Large ingestions of garlic may cause clinical signs within 24 hours while signs of garlic poisoning after small ingestions can be delayed for up to 1 week. While very small amounts of garlic may be safe in some animals, large amounts can be very toxic.”

What Spices Are Harmful To Dogs?

Despite all of the benefits of herbs, spices, and supplements that can help dogs, there are spices that can be harmful to dogs as well. Always double check with your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline before feeding any new spices to your dog.

Here are some spices to avoid in dogs.

Nutmeg 

Nutmeg is one of the ingredients generally found in pumpkin spice mix and in items that are part of the pumpkin spiced food. It is imperative that if you feed your dog pumpkin to help his tummy, you do not get the kind used for pies and pie mixes.

You DO want the natural canned pumpkin; however natural canned pumpkin is rich in fiber, so proceed with caution in how much and how often you feed your dog.

Nutmeg can cause a dog to vomit, become hyper, and because it contains myristicin, which is a known toxin. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, if your dog ingests a small amount of nutmeg, such as in a cookie, it is unlikely to cause toxic damage.

However, a small amount can cause stomach upset. Ingesting a large amount of nutmeg can lead to “hallucinations, disorientation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, dry mouth, abdominal pain, and possibly seizures.”

If you do any sort of baking, especially cookies, or during the busy holiday season, keep jars of spices and seasonings away from prying paws. Learn more about what pumpkin is safe for dogs.

Cinnamon 

Some pet treat companies put cinnamon in their dog treats, so if you wonder ‘can dogs eat cinnamon,’ well yes and no. Cinnamon is one of those spices that can be both beneficial and harmful to dogs, depending on the type and dosage.

If your dog has a bit of cinnamon, this is generally okay. If your dog consumes a large amount of cinnamon, it would be best to call your veterinarian. There are many variations of cinnamon, and this is the concern.

The Pet Poison Helpline states, “it takes a larger amount of ingested cinnamon powder to cause problems in our pets (greater than 1 teaspoon of powder for most pets) but only a small amount of the essential oil. Large overdoses of the powder or exposure to the essential oil can lead to low blood sugar, liver disease, vomiting, diarrhea and changes in heart rate.  Some dogs who are ingesting the powdered spice directly can inhale the spice.  This is very irritating to the lungs and can cause coughing, choking, difficulty breathing and bronchospasm.”

In small infrequent doses, cinnamon is touted as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and may even help your dog’s bad breath. Personally, I don’t give my dog cinnamon as there are other more effective ways to build up immunity, ward off cancers, and keep his breath fresh. 

Paprika

Dogs should never have paprika. In addition to skin and eye irritation if the dog inhales it or gets near it, it can cause stomach upset and diarrhea.

There is no reason to add paprika to a dog’s diet because it could end up doing more harm than good. It’s best to avoid giving a dog paprika altogether. 

Table Salt

 Salt is very dangerous to dogs. So many human foods, snacks, treats, and cookies contain salt. Did you know that most homemade Christmas ornaments contain table salt? Large amounts of salt can cause kidney issues amongst other things. Salt has the potential to kill a dog. The level of toxicity from salt ingestion is moderate to severe and life-threatening. 

Salt is also found in homemade play dough, de-icing products like rock salt, sea water, enema solutions, and many homemade holiday ornaments.

Dogs who are affected by salt ingestion may vomit, have diarrhea, become lethargic, have tremors or seizures, lack an appetite, and may even go into a coma. Get immediate help if you suspect your dog has salt poisoning,

Onion Powder

Many of the foods humans eat contain ingredients that can be poisonous to dogs. The toxic portion of an onion that can harm a dog is called thiosulfate. It damages a dog’s red blood cells and the dog can become anemic or worse.

The entire onion contains thiosulfate so never give onions to a dog. Cocker Spaniel owners are all too familiar with IMHA, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, which destroys the dog’s red blood cells and causes anemia. It’s a very lethal condition and needs to be caught early and treated aggressively. 

Can dogs eat onion powder? All forms of onions, whether dried, powdered, cooked, or fresh, can be toxic to dogs. Do not give your dog onion powder or any form or onion products.

If your dog eats a small piece of onion, perhaps that dropped on the floor while cooking, this likely won’t make your dog ill. A dog who eats a large quantity needs help immediately. Call your vet, get to an emergency facility, and don’t delay in getting treatment. 

Cocoa Powder

It is well known that chocolate is a big no-no because chocolate is dangerous to dogs. Cocoa powder can have many of the same effects as chocolate to a dog. Like chocolate, cocoa powder contains theobromine, which can cause heart problems, kidney problems, and even death. 

The folks at petMD have a chocolate toxicity meter that you can use if your dog happens to ingest any sort of chocolate, cocoa powder, or baker’s chocolate, etc. 

Turmeric

As discussed above, the turmeric dosage for dogs varies and given too much, turmeric can cause problems for dogs.

In general, a quality turmeric product is safe for dogs in small quantities. If you happen to see turmeric on a bag of dog food kibble, it is likely there for coloring or flavoring and not for any sort of medicinal or anti-inflammatory properties. 

Although small quantities of turmeric may boost a dog’s immune system and help in other ways, it can cause gastrointestinal upset in some dogs and skin irritation as well.

According to Whole Dog Journal, there have been few studies to date on the safety and efficacy of turmeric usage in dogs. If your dog has liver issues, turmeric may aggravate that. In fact, too much turmeric can impede the dog’s ability to absorb the herb. 

According to webMD, some people using turmeric experience stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea. Since dogs can’t tell us what they feel, pay close attention to how much and the quality of turmeric you give your dog. 

Pennyroyal

Working as a dog writer means I research a lot and meet many experts in the veterinary world. I first learn of a minty oil called pennyroyal at a pet industry conference a few years ago.

Scarily, pennyroyal can be found in some products touted for pets. Pennyroyal can be toxic to dogs, so keep it out of your dog’s life, his diet, and most certainly his reach. 

Those in folk medicine have long touted the efficacy of pennyroyal as an insect repellant. This is one of those cases where putting an essential oil on your dog to prevent fleas can actually cause severe damage or poisoning.

Over at Pet Poison Helpline they have this to say about pennyroyal and dogs, “We can see the dog become sick after exposure with vomiting, diarrhea, both of which can be bloody, lethargy and death due to hepatic necrosis. Again, aggressive veterinary care is needed to try to support the liver and prevent liver failure. Pennyroyal is a known toxin to dogs and all forms of it should be avoided in dogs.”

Be sure to read any non-chemical flea and tick preventatives that you plan to put on your dog and ensure ingredients such as pennyroyal are not listed.

Black Pepper

Because black pepper contains piperine, it can increase the absorption of prescription medications in your dog. Dogs are at risk of overdosing, so use extreme caution if you use black pepper. Personally, I avoid it.

Wormwood

Sometimes used under the supervision of a veterinarian, wormwood is touted as a natural dewormer in dogs. That doesn’t mean wormwood is safe to administer to dogs.

f a dog has pre-existing liver disease, kidney issues, or seizures, wormwood should be avoided at all costs. Because wormwood contains a toxic ingredient called absinthe, dogs can be poisoned by it. 

In humans, wormwood can cause seizures, vertigo, vomiting, nausea, insomnia, and even brain damage. There are too many risks involved in giving dogs wormwood, so we advise against it. 

We’ve written about the many safe ways to identify, prevent, treat, and eliminate worms in dogs.

Comfrey

If you’ve ever looked for treatments online to help a dog with inflammation or pain, you may have stumbled upon comfrey.

Comfrey also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, located mostly on the root of the plant, which may liver problems when ingested in large quantities?!

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey can be absorbed through the skin and I would never personally use it on my dog. These alkaloids work by blocking small blood vessels in the liver, which can lead to liver failure or cirrhosis. This applies to both people and pets.

Rosemary

Rosemary is one of those grey area spices when it comes to safety in dogs. According to foremost authority in the veterinary world, Dr. Jean Dodds, a potentially toxic exposure that can trigger seizures in epileptic dogs is rosemary. 

Although rosemary is not listed on any poison lists we could find, rosemary does contain volatile oils that can cause stomach upset or depression of the nervous system if large amounts are ingested. 

Rosemary is often used as a preservative in dog shampoos, dog treats, dog foods, and more. 

Additional Spices to Avoid in Dogs

*This list is not exhaustive but contains other spices to avoid in dogs.

• Allspice
• Bay leaf
• Cayenne
• Chili powder
• Chives
• Cloves
• Curry
• Hops
• Mace
• Marjoram
• Mustard seed or powder
• Oregano (if used improperly)
• Spanish thyme

Who To Call For Dog Toxin Emergencies

If you suspect your dog has ingested something dangerous, never wait. Call your dog’s vet or emergency veterinary service.

Two numbers to keep handy, although they come with a fee (that is worth it when seconds matter) are the ASPCA Animal Poison Hotline at 888-426-4435 and the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. 

Here is a handy chart to use, share, print, and/or save where it is accessible. You may not have heard of some of these, but that’s the point: These are dog spices you might not realize can seriously harm your pooch or worse.