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Can Dogs Eat Dill? 4 Health Benefits of Dill for Dogs

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: May 3, 2022 • 2 min read

Dogs can eat dill in moderation. The herb provides nutrients and antioxidants, and it can help freshen your dog’s breath. Learn more about the nutritional benefits and how to feed your dog dill.

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Can Dogs Eat Dill?

Dogs can eat dill in small quantities. Fresh dill contains antioxidants and nutrients that help prevent heart disease and boost your dog’s digestive system. You can sprinkle fresh or dried dill on your dog’s food or prepare a dill seed tea for your pet. However, too much dill can lead to stomach upset.

4 Health Benefits of Dill for Dogs

Dill weed offers several health benefits for your dog. The herb:

  1. 1. Eliminates free radicals: Dill has many antioxidant flavonoids, such as vicenin or kaempferol, that act as anti-inflammatories and reduce free radicals in your dog’s body. Dill also contains limonene and anethofuran, which increase cancer-fighting enzymes.
  2. 2. Provides plenty of nutrients: Adding dill to your dog’s diet provides your pet with vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, copper, magnesium, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin A.
  3. 3. Reduces gas: You can feed small amounts of dill to your dog as a digestive aid to help alleviate gas or bloat. Dill has antispasmodic properties; it relieves muscle spasms that cause flatulence. Dill can also alleviate cramping and nausea.
  4. 4. Treats bad breath: The antibacterial properties of dill help to fight bad breath. You can offer the herb as a breath freshener between brushings.

How to Safely Feed Dill to Your Dog

You can sprinkle a small amount of fresh or dried dill on dog food or make dill tea by adding one teaspoon of crushed dill seed to eight ounces of water. Allow the tea to cool before offering it to your pet. Whenever you introduce a new food to your dog’s diet, monitor them for symptoms of upset stomach or allergies.

Can Dogs Eat Dill Pickles?

While cucumbers and dill are not toxic to dogs, dill pickle brine often contains spices, garlic, or other seasonings that are bad for dogs. In addition, the high sodium content in dill pickles makes them dangerous for your furry friend. If your dog eats a large amount of salt, it can lead to issues like anemia.

Before Sharing With Your Pooch

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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