homemade dog food seasoning

What Seasonings Can Dogs Have? 20 Safe Spices and Herbs

Whether youre looking to make homemade food for your dog, wanting to help improve a specific medical condition, or just wanting to add some flavor to your dogs dry food, seasonings can be a very useful tool!

Of course, this leads to the questions what seasonings can dogs have. So many things that are considered healthy for humans are poisonous to dogs. For example, grapes are full of vitamins and minerals, so theyre great for humans. But if a dog has too many grapes, it can cause severe kidney damage.

When it comes to seasonings, spices, and herbs, most of them are ok to feed your dog, but there are a few that you should stay away from.

This means the question shouldnt be which ones CAN they have. The question should be which ones are GOOD for them. Its not just about flavor, its about health.

Using Seasonings, Herbs, and Spices For Flavor

If youre just looking to add flavor to your dogs life, then any of the seasonings listed below can be used. There are a total of 20 spices and herbs mentioned in this article, this means for flavor purposes, your dog should never get bored with their food if you rotate between seasonings every few days.

Using Seasonings and Spices to Solve Specific Issues

When adding flavor to your dogs food, we recommend you get the best bang for your buck. This means choosing the seasonings that will best help specific issues your dog might be facing.

Its no secret that herbs have been used for medicinal purposes as far back as we can date, and theyre still used to this day. We have split this article up into various sections, each addressing a specific issue.

If your dog suffers from pain and arthritis, just jump to that section and see which seasonings you can use. If they suffer from stress or anxiety, jump to that section to see which spices and herbs would be best.

By seasoning the dog food, not only are you adding to the flavor, but youre also increasing their quality of life. No, these herbs are not as powerful as prescription medication, nor are they meant to replace any type of medication recommended by your vet. But they are a great supplement to add to your dogs diet to improve their overall health.

Slowly Introduce The Seasoning

One quick note before we dive into detail on the seasonings, make sure you slowly introduce them to your dog. Dont pour a bunch over their food if theyve never had that specific herb or spice before.

You never know how your dog is going to react to it. You also dont want to mess with the digestive system by making a massive change at once. Start slow. If it looks like they enjoyed the taste and didnt have an adverse reaction, you can slowly increase the amount you give them.

Pain and Arthritis

Nobody likes to see their dog battling pain. Watching your dog struggling to stand up because theyre in pain is one of the most heartbreaking things to watch. You can use the following herbs and spices to help alleviate some of that pain. These wont provide a miracle cure, but even helping your dog get some pain relief is better than nothing. Worst case, youve added flavor to their food, so you have nothing to lose.

Alfalfa

This is probably the most recommended anti-inflammatory by natural vets. Its recommended to sprinkle this herb over your dogs food on a daily basis. Theres no need to add more than a pinch of alfalfa to your dogs diet.

Other than pain relief, alfalfa is excellent for the kidneys because it balances out the urine, preventing the urine from becoming too acidic.

Cayenne Pepper

The most significant benefit of adding a tiny bit of cayenne pepper to your dogs food is that it opens up the blood vessels, which helps circulate blood throughout the body. Blood carries vital nutrients to help with pain relief in muscles, tendons, and joints. It also contains capsaicin, which has been shown to relieve joint pain temporarily.

Peppermint

Its best to use peppermint in the form of essential oil. Simply sprinkle 2-3 drops on your dogs food (or in the water). Peppermint works as a pain reliever by causing the muscles to relax. Tense muscles usually lead to aches and pains, relaxed muscles typically lead to pain relief.

Turmeric

This is great for both you and your dog! So if youre suffering from pain, you can use turmeric as well. The reason turmeric helps with pain relief is that it contains curcumin, a natural and potent anti-inflammatory.

With that said, keep in mind some dogs have a hard time digesting turmeric, so its imperative to start small and see how your dog digests it. If theyre having trouble with digestion, you can use turmeric along with one of the herbs in the following section about digestion.

Improve Digestion

Its not uncommon for dogs to have digestive issues. In fact, just about every dog owner knows what its like to wake up and instantly realize that your dog had an accident inside the house. Whether your dog is suffering from diarrhea or constipation, the following seasonings can help.

Carob

One of the best ways to help dogs properly digest food is to increase their fiver and pectin intake. Luckily, carob is high in both. This herb comes from a tree in the Mediterranean and doesnt contain any caffeine. However, it does contain a tiny amount of the stimulant theobromine. If you notice your dog becomes extra hyper when supplementing with carob, you may want to try something else.

Chia Seeds

If your dog is suffering from diarrhea or is gassy, chia seeds are worth a shot. Chia seeds will slow down the conversion of carbs into sugar, which will allow for full absorption of the vital nutrients. Keep the dosage small since these seeds are potent. You should give your dog about teaspoon for every 10 pounds of bodyweight.

Cilantro

If your pup has an upset stomach, then you should consider adding cilantro to their food. Cilantro is high in zinc, potassium, and is full of vitamin A and C. Most dogs wont mind the taste, but some dogs will refuse to eat their food if they smell cilantroto each their own!

Ceylon Cinnamon

Dogs that have bad flatulence (trust us, youll know if your dog does) can benefit significantly from adding Ceylon Cinnamon to their diet. One critical note is to make sure its Ceylon and not cassia. Cassia is the primary type of cinnamon, but it contains coumarin, which can damage the liver. Sprinkle some Ceylon Cinnamon over your dogs food. The flatulence shouldnt be nearly as bad.

Dill

Dill is one of the best overall digestion aids for dogs (and humans alike). Its full of flavonoids and even has anti-inflammatory properties. Dill can help break down food in the digestive tract, so if your dog is a fast eater or eats everything he sees on the floor, add some dill to the diet.

Sea Salt (Small Amounts)

One of the many reasons a dog might be suffering from digestive issues is that their body isnt producing enough hydrochloric acid, which is an acid that helps with digestion. Sea salt can help produce more hydrochloric acid in your dogs stomach, which will aid in digestion.

Dandelion

In the dog world, dandelion has been called the near-perfect plant and for right reason! There are countless benefits to adding dandelion to your dogs diet, digestion being one of the main ones.

Dandelion acts as a prebiotic, which helps feed the good bacteria in the gutkeeping the good bacteria healthy decreases the chances of digestive issues.

Anxiety/Stress

Yup, dogs suffer from anxiety as welland not just separation anxiety. Some breeds are hyper-nervous and stress over every little thing. Three herbs, in particular, will help calm anxiety and stress.

Chamomile

I drink chamomile tea when I cant sleep at night. It does a great job of calming the brain and relaxing the body. The good news is it does the same thing for dogs. You can even combine chamomile with other root herbs such as valerian for an even more potent relaxation formula.

Catnip

Catnip isnt just for cats! Catnip does a great job acting as a natural sedative for pets. Many dog owners choose to use catnip as a travel sedative since it might cause your dog to become drowsy. Its also a great idea to use catnip when you know your dog is going to be scared, such as the fourth of July or during a thunderstorm.

St. Johns Wort

Although this isnt technically a seasoning, its still worth mentioning if your dog suffers from anxiety. St. Johns Wort is primarily used to treat depression in both humans and dogs, it also does a great job at reducing anxiety. When taken correctly, the serotonin and dopamine levels in your dog will increase. High serotonin and dopamine levels are directly related to low stress and anxiety.

Cancer

Before we begin this final section on seasonings and herbs for dogs that can help with cancer, please remember these are NOT meant to substitute what your vet recommends. Always stick with the medication prescribed by the vet and use these as an aid.

Instead of going into detail on each one of these like we did in the previous section, we are going to list them in a bullet point. The reason for this is because cancer is a sensitive subject, and all these seeds have the same thing in commonthey contain antioxidants that can help fight both cancer and diseases.

• Caraway Seeds
• Garlic
• Green Tea
• Kelp
• Spirulina
• Thyme

Dogs Can Have a Lot of Seasonings

As you can see, there are a lot of seasonings, herbs, and spices that are great for your dog, plus your furry friend will really enjoy the taste! Whether youre looking to add some flavor to your dogs meal or looking to solve a specific problem, those seasonings can be a huge help.

Recommended For You

Homemade Dog Food Seasoning

This Homemade Dog Food Seasoning is loaded with flavor and beneficial nutrients. Sprinkle this healthy DIY mix on your pups food or use it when making dog treats.

Just like human food, sometimes we want to add a little something extra to homemade food for our furry friend. Theres a safe way to add small amounts of seasoning that will make even boring commercial dog food taste delicious!

FYI This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Make Dog Food Seasoning?

We all want our pups to enjoy the health benefits of fresh food, but either time or budgets mean kibble is on the menu. And thats ok! If your pup isnt a huge fan of dry food, then adding small quantities of this seasoning might encourage them to eat it up.

Homemade seasoning allows for better control over what goes into your dogs diet. This can be especially beneficial for dogs with specific dietary needs or allergies. This seasoning blend contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, which are often found in store-bought products.

You can tailor the seasoning to your dogs specific taste preferences and nutritional requirements. This customization can make meals more enjoyable for them and ensure they get the necessary nutrients.

If your dog has digestive issues, adding a very small amount to their food might be the best way to calm their upset stomach.

Making your own dog food seasoning can be more economical in the long run compared to purchasing pre-made options.

Why Youll Love This Recipe

Youll love how nutritious this seasoning is and feel proud, knowing its a great way to boost the nutrition of homemade meals or your dogs food.

The use of freeze-dried lamb liver is an excellent source of protein and essential nutrients for dogs. Plus, its full of fatty acids that turn boring kibble into healthy food.

Each of the herbs used (parsley, dill, rosemary, sage, and thyme) not only adds flavor but also brings its own set of benefits. For instance, parsley is known for its breath-freshening properties and digestive support, while rosemary can act as a natural preservative.

The recipe is straightforward and doesnt require any complicated cooking methods, making it accessible for all levels of cooking expertise. This ease of preparation can be a big plus for busy pet owners.

The recipe can be easily tweaked to suit the taste preferences or dietary needs of different dogs. See the Ingredient Substitutions section below.

Dogs love the taste of this seasoning, making meal times more enjoyable for them. Its great for picky eaters and a way to spice up their regular meals.

Ingredients

Heres what youll need to make this dog food seasoning recipe:

• Freeze Dried Lamb Liver A rich source of protein and amino acids for muscle development. It has essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin B, and iron for overall health and brain function.
• Dried Dill Often used for its soothing effects on digestion and pleasant aroma.
• Dried Parsley Known for its breath-freshening properties and ability to support healthy digestion in dogs.
• Dried Rosemary Acts as a natural preservative and is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Dried Sage Renowned for its antioxidant properties and can aid in digestion and general wellness.
• Dried Thyme Offers antibacterial and antifungal benefits, and is a good source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and manganese.

You can get the freeze-dried lamb liver on Amazon or at most pet stores. The herbs can be found at regular grocery stores.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can make this dog food seasoning powder in a variety of flavors. Heres how:

You can substitute lamb liver with any freeze-dried meat treats for dogs. It doesnt have to be liver treats. I used lamb because it is one of the most digestible meat for dogs with food allergies. Some other freeze-dried meat treats are chicken, salmon, and beef liver or hearts.

For the dried herbs, you can make a custom blend with any herbs safe for dogs to eat.

Equipment Needed

You probably have all the kitchen items to make this recipe, but just in case:

How to Make Dog Food Seasoning

Here are the simple steps and photos to help you make this dog food enhancer recipe:

1. Grind the freeze-dried liver pieces in a food processor or blender until it is a powder.
2. If desired, grind the herbs into a powder. A spice grinder works great for this.
3. Place all the ingredients in a small bowl.
4. Use a spoon or whisk to combine all the ingredients.
5. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container.

Serving Size

The nutrition information on the recipe card below is for 1 tablespoon. The amount you use can vary depending on your dogs size.

For smaller dogs, use 1 teaspoon of powder. For larger dogs, it can be up to 2 tablespoons.

Always consult with a veterinarian before making any changes to your dogs diet, especially if your dog has specific health issues. This will ensure the seasoning meets the nutritional needs of your pet and does not inadvertently cause harm or adverse reactions.

How to Store the Seasoning and How Long It Will Last

Store the homemade seasoning blend in an airtight container. A mason jar or large spice jar works great.

Keep it at room temperature as you do with other dried herbs and spices.

When properly stored, the seasoning will last up to 6 months.

Can people eat this dog food seasoning?

Yes, all the ingredients are safe for human consumption. The freeze-dried liver has almost all the nutrients as fresh. See this article on the benefits of eating freeze-dried liver. The herbs are common pantry ingredients. You can add this blend to soups, stews, meatloaf, burgers, and more.

More Dog Food and Treat Recipes

Here are some great recipes for homemade dog food recipes and treats:

Find lots of easy and great recipes for dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!

Homemade Dog Food Seasoning

Homemade dog food seasoning is a tasty topper for your furry friends food.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup Ground Freeze Dried Lamb Liver
• cup Dried Parsley
• 1 teaspoon Dried Dill
• 1 teaspoon Dried Rosemary
• 1 teaspoon Dried Sage
• 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme

Instructions

• Grind freeze dried lamb into a powder using a food processor or blender. The herbs can also be ground finer if desired.

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

• Store the seasoning in an airtight container at room temperature. It will last up to 6 months.

Notes

This recipe makes about 1 1/3 cups of seasoning. A serving is 1 tablespoon, but adjust it to your dogs size and activity level.

Nutrition

Calories: 20kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.2g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.002g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.02g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.2mg