When cooking for dogs, it’s generally a bad idea to use spices and herbs. Most seasonings aren’t canine-friendly, you see. Some are even toxic to our four-legged friends.
Basil is one of those rare exceptions, however. This herb contains plenty of health-boosting nutrients and none of the dangerous substances that can poison a dog.
So yes, dogs can eat basil. But as too much of a good thing can also be bad, we recommend you feed your pooch basil in moderation only.
Keep reading to find out why basil is good for dogs!
Why Is Basil Good for Dogs?
Basil is chock-full of nutrients essential to every dog’s health. Appropriate amounts sprinkled onto their food can have them enjoying the following benefits:
Protection against chronic conditions
Basil’s anti-inflammatory properties allow it to protect our pets against a range of illnesses, diseases, and infections.
Basil is especially useful against arthritis. It can delay the onset of arthritic symptoms and reduce the aches and pains of dogs already suffering from mild arthritis. This makes basil a great addition to any senior pet’s meals.
Protection against cancer
Dogs can get cancer, too, so it’s to their greatest benefit for us pet parents to find ways to ensure they stay cancer-free.
One thing you can do is to feed your dog foods high in antioxidants, which are substances that offer effective protection against cancer cells. And guess what basil contains? That’s right—a lot of antioxidants!
Protection against cellular damage
The antioxidants found in basil are also great at preventing cellular damage caused by oxidative stress. Cell damage can lead to various problems; if uncontrolled, it can contribute to the destruction of tissue and, in the worst of cases, organ failure. Giving your dog the occasional basil can help prevent such problems, thus ensuring they enjoy a long, healthy life.
Protection against stress
Some dogs are prone to anxiety, fear, and stress. This is especially true of dogs with a history of abuse and/or neglect.
Dogs with mental health issues tend to cope via strange or destructive behaviors, from eating rocks to chewing the furniture. It’s for this reason it’s best to treat such problems before a dog makes themselves ill or destroys their adopted family’s house.
Thankfully, basil is known to have a soothing effect on dogs, so try giving them some whenever they’re not in a great mood!
Vitamins
Basil boasts several vitamins dogs need to stay healthy. It’s particularly rich in vitamin A and B.
Vitamin A keeps your dog’s vision in good health. It’s also heavily involved in growth, immune function, cell function, and fetal development.
Vitamin B is crucial in the blood clotting process. It also helps in bone development and healthy blood function.
Minerals
Basil contains a bunch of minerals that can enhance your dog’s health.
Calcium keeps the bones and teeth healthy and strong. It’s also crucial for nerve transmission, muscle function, and blood clotting.
Manganese is involved in many biological processes. For example, it metabolizes protein, fats, and carbohydrates to provide dogs with the energy they need to move around and stay alive. It helps develop and maintain bone and cartilage health. It also assists in fatty acid production.
Magnesium is essential to over 300 biochemical reactions in the canine body. It’s involved in muscle and nerve function. It’s necessary for the maintenance of bone and immune system health as well as the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. In addition, it helps in energy production and protein synthesis.
Iron plays a major role in the creation of hemoglobin, a protein that red blood cells use to transport oxygen from the lungs to every other part of the body. Oxygen, in turn, converts food into energy, allowing a dog to move around, stay healthy, and survive.
Zinc is required for wound and skin healing, immune system function, protein production, carbohydrate metabolism, and over 100 enzyme functions.
Potassium helps make heart and muscle contractions possible. It triggers nerve impulses, allowing the canine brain to transmit information throughout the body to make movement and many bodily functions possible. It also prevents dehydration through fluid balance regulation.
When Is Basil Bad for Dogs?
As nutritious as basil is, we don’t recommend feeding dogs great amounts of this herb.
Below are two of the problems that can arise after a dog eats basil:
Digestive problems
Basil is high in fiber.
Consuming an appropriate amount of fiber is good for your dog’s gut and prevents diarrhea and constipation. Too much fiber, however, can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Stomach upset
If your dog experiences such problems after eating a significant amount of basil, contact a vet for help. Severe symptoms may require a trip to the pet clinic or hospital.
To avoid such digestive concerns, don’t give your dog basil every day.
Allergic reaction
Not all dogs are built the same; while one dog may be able to eat basil safely, another may find themselves ill.
Dogs with a low tolerance for basil could end up suffering from an allergic reaction after ingesting even a tiny bit of the herb.
The symptoms of food allergy include:
- Itchy paws, ears, and/or skin
- Excessive scratching/licking due to itching
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Hyperactivity
- Weight loss
- Aggression
Contact a vet for help if you suspect your dog is having an allergic reaction to basil. It’s also a good idea to have a vet determine what your dog’s allergies are; this way, you can avoid exposing them to allergens and save them from a lot of suffering.
FAQs About Basil for Dogs
Below, we answer commonly asked questions about basil for dogs!
How much basil can my dog eat?
As a general rule, basil should only be used as a treat and not as a regular part of your dog’s diet. This means it should make up less than 10% of the food they eat per day.
If we’re going by daily servings, a pinch of basil should suffice for small dogs (less than 15 pounds), half a teaspoon for medium-sized dogs (15 to 40 pounds), and a teaspoon for large dogs (more than 40 pounds).
The best way to find out how much basil your dog can safely eat, however, is to ask a vet. They will consider your dog’s size, age, breed, and existing health conditions, then use this knowledge to determine the right amount of basil they can eat weekly.
How should I introduce basil to my dog?
It’s important to introduce new food to your dog gradually. This way, you can gauge whether they can tolerate the food or not.
Feed your dog a few tiny pieces of fresh basil, then observe them for digestive issues and allergic reactions. If your dog experiences problems, contact a vet for help.
If no problems occur, wait a few days before feeding them a slightly larger portion of basil slices. Keep doing this for a couple of weeks to get your dog’s gut used to the new food. Once it’s evident your pooch has no problems consuming basil, you can start giving them the recommended amount per week.
How should I prepare basil for my dog?
Dogs can eat fresh basil as long as you wash it first; this will get rid of any substances or parasites that can harm your dog. Use cool, clean water to rinse the herb for several seconds.
Remove the basil leaves from the stem. Stack these leaves in a pile, then chop them up into tiny pieces. You can then sprinkle these pieces onto your pet’s dog food.
You can also add basil to any food you’re cooking for them. You can, for example, steam, roast, bake, or boil chicken with basil. Steaming is your best option, as this preserves the food’s nutrients, whereas boiling causes nutrients to leak out of the food.
Ensure you don’t use any seasonings or ingredients when cooking for your dog, as many additives can harm them. This means you shouldn’t use salt, sugar, dairy, fat, oil, spices, or herbs that are toxic to canines. Whatever you cook for your dog should be completely plain.
Can dogs eat basil powder?
Yes, but examine the ingredients list to ensure the powder contains no substances that can harm your dog. Some types of basil powder, for example, contain garlic, which is toxic to dogs.
Can dogs eat pesto?
Dogs can’t eat pesto. This delicious sauce contains not only basil but also garlic and salt. Garlic is toxic to dogs, while excess salt can cause rapid, deadly dehydration.
Conclusion
We’re happy to say dogs can eat basil. This amazing herb will not only add flavor to your dog’s meals but also boost their health. After all, basil contains a host of nutrients vital to canine health.
Just make sure to feed your pooch basil in moderation and contact a vet if they experience any problems. Other than that, feel free to sprinkle some of this delicious herb onto your pet’s meals!