Mint, as we all know, is a leaf which has a very distinct taste and flavor and people love to add this in different beverages and foods. Surprisingly, dogs too are attracted to the smell of the mint leaves. And while mint comes with some great benefits, you need to be extra careful when it comes to dogs and mint. Read on to know more.
Can dogs eat mint?
You can let dogs eat a bit of mint as it comes with some great health benefits. But it is very crucial for you to restrict your dog from eating too many of the mint leaves. The mints are mainly for human consumption. Though a leaf or two will not harm your pup, but more than that can surely have some adverse impact on their health.
Health benefits of mint for dogs
Mint or peppermint, as you may know it, comes with various health benefits. It can also benefit your pup to some extent. Here are some of the best health benefits of mint for your dogs:
- The mint can help in soothing the stomach upset in your pup. In case your dog is suffering from gastrointestinal problems, you can give them mint in very small quantity to provide some relief
- It can also help your dog in getting relief from the nausea. Sometimes your dog can feel nauseous due to several reasons. The mint can help.
- Mint can also freshen up the breath of your dog and spraying some minty sprays can also repel fleas from the body too.
Why mint can be bad for dogs?
If your dog consumes mint in a large quantity, then it can lead to:
- Liver problems
- Sever kidney damages
- Vomiting and stomach upset
- Diarrhea
How to feed mint to dogs?
The most important thing that you need to keep in mind while giving mint to your dog is portion size. The best way to feed mint to your dog is to add a little amount of mint in their regular diet. You can take some dried or fresh mint leaves and sprinkle it on their food. This way, it will not exceed the required amount and it will also benefit the dog in several ways.
What foods can you give to your dog instead of mint?
Instead of mint, you can give a lot of different foods to your dog:
- Ginger for better gout
- Rosemary for healing digestive system
- Basil for soothing and calming your pup
- Broccoli for promoting better bone health and density
- Thyme for healthy development of your dog
All these are some of the healthy alternatives that you can give to your dog instead of mint. These can help them to get better health, energy and have better development.
Are dogs allergic to mint?
Dogs are not allergic to mint. But mint can be toxic to your dogs if they consume it in large quantity. So, you can ask the vet for right measurement or quantity of mint that you can add in your pup’s diet. In case, your dog shows any adverse reaction to the mint, call the vet right away.
Conclusion
Make sure to give mint to your dog in small quantities only. If your dog has any allergic tendency or some medical history regarding stomach upsets, then it is better to consult with an experienced vet before you give mint to your dog. This will be the best decision for the better safety of your dog’s health.
