In Arabic and Asian cultures, ginger root has been used both as medicine and spice for many years now. As medicine it serves as a cure for indigestion and upset stomachs. However, its benefits are not confined to the stomach area only. Ginger has been proven to be beneficial for more stern conditions like cancer and osteoarthritis as well. As it is so helpful for humans, as a pet owner you must be wondering can dogs eat ginger? To know the answer to this question, do read on.
Can dogs eat ginger?
The answer to this question is Yes, dogs can eat ginger. In fact, they are very beneficial for dogs. In small doses, ginger is okay for your pup. It contains many antioxidants that are known to help dogs with poor blood circulation, motion sickness, gastrointestinal problems, nausea, and bloating. Besides, ginger happens to be anti-inflammatory and is proven to be effective with dogs suffering from arthritis. However, if your dog eats too much ginger then it might become nauseous and gassy, as well as experience heartburn. Moderation is key when serving ginger.
Health Benefits of ginger for dogs
There are many health benefits of adding ginger to your dog’s diet. Ginger is known to help with the following:
Nausea
There can be a number of reasons why your dog is vomiting and feeling nauseous. Ite can be undergoing cancer treatment, your dog might be dealing with motion sickness or feeling under the weather. Whatever the reason, fresh or powdered ginger can help. It can come in handy if your pup is suffering from an upset stomach, as well.
Shogaol and gingerol is the reason why ginger has anti-nausea effect. These compounds are known for speeding different digestive processes. It also happens to be anti-inflammatory. So, it can soothe the digestive track and reduce nausea. Give this spice to your dog when it feels nauseated. Some signs of nausea are loss of appetite, panting, odd facial expressions, excessive drool, drinking of less water and smacking or lip licking.
Many dog owners give ginger to their dogs 30 minutes before a car ride if they tend to get car sick.
Bloating
Your dog might be bloated when the stomach enlarges due to too much of fluid, food and air. Bloating is known to often progresses to GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus) which can be life-threatening. Ginger has been proven to be helpful at beginning stage of bloating.
Flatulence
If you notice that your dog is passing gas to much then it might be that the gas is being built up in the dog’s digestive system. Ginger is said to be a carminative herb. So, it can most definitely help remove gas from the digestive tract of your dog.
Arthritis
Arthritis can cause inflammation and ginger is known for being a natural anti-inflammatory. So, if you want to help your dog with arthritis symptoms, then ginger is your go to herb.
Heartworm
Heartworm can be dangerous. It can lead to heart failure, lung disease, organ damage and even death. When there are talks of prevention, conventional options can be risky. This is where ginger can come in handy. It is more of a holistic approach to stop this problem.
Cancer
In some studies, it has been proven that ginger can be a cancer fighter. According to a study done on mice, ginger was able to lower the speed of breast cancer growth. Another study declared that it is helpful in killing lymphosarcoma cell. On the other hand, it was also discovered by a study done on rats that it can have positive effects with liver cancer. It is a great immune booster. If your pup is undergoing cancer treatment, then you can give ginger to ease nausea.
How to feed your dogs ginger?
With the help of a knife cut the skin off first and finely chop the ginger. Sprinkle this choped ginger over your dog’s food. Only 1/4 tsp 3 times a day will be enough. If you want to give powdered ginger then use 1/8 tsp 2 times a day.
