Can Dogs Eat Thyme? Benefits and Risks of Thyme for Dogs

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an edible flowering shrub. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae and a cousin of the oregano genus Origanum. It is indigenous to the Mediterranean region and grows hardily in dry, temperate climates. Thyme appears in gardens as a perennial, evergreen herb with green leaves growing on thin stems, and its flowers are white or pinkish colored. Human civilizations have cooked with thyme for centuries. You can often find it accompanying roasted vegetables like carrots and potatoes, and adorning pastas, grains, and fish.

In short, yes. Thymus vulgaris, the type of thyme most commonly sold in grocery stores, is non-toxic and safe for dogs to consume. Your dog may eat small to moderate amounts of this fresh herb without any threat of toxicity or adverse effects to your dog’s health. However, the much less common Spanish thyme (Coleus amboinicus) is toxic for dogs.

Thyme provides a host of health benefits to both humans and dogs. If you wish, you can feed your dog thyme by adding it to their regular dog food. The health benefits of thyme include:

1. 1. Digestive health: Thyme can help relieve flatulence and promotes antispasmodic effects on the digestive tract. This helps mitigate digestion issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dyspepsia, colitis, and indigestion.
2. 2. Vitamins and minerals: Thyme is rich in vitamins A, C, and K. These offer antioxidant properties, which can help the immune system and reduce free radicals in the body. Thyme also contains manganese, iron, and calcium, which benefit your dog’s skeletal system.
3. 3. Antifungal and antibacterial properties: Thymol, an active ingredient in thyme, has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Accordingly, eating thyme can aid in the prevention of parasites such as hookworms and microbial pathogens. You can use diluted thyme oil to help prevent fungal and bacterial infection on a dog’s skin. You can also apply tinctures of thyme or concentrated thyme tea to your dog’s gums, which can help stave off gingivitis. Some dog owners even use thyme as a breath freshener.
4. 4. Urinary tract health: As a mild astringent tonic, thyme can be used to mitigate urinary tract infections.
5. 5. Respiratory health: Thyme may contribute to asthma symptom relief, increased functionality of bronchial passages, and reduced respiratory spasms.

For all its benefits, thyme comes with a few potential adverse side effects, so pet owners will want to keep these caveats in mind:

1. 1. Indigestion: Fresh thyme leaves are fibrous; if your pet consumes large quantities of thyme, expect indigestion and an upset stomach.
2. 2. Issues with thyme oil: Avoid feeding concentrated thyme oil to dogs, since most essential oils are too strong for a dog’s diet. You may apply thyme oil to your dog’s skin as a topical, but only use small amounts that are properly diluted.
3. 3. Slows blood clotting: Thyme may slow blood clotting, so never feed it to dogs before or after a surgery, as it could lead to excess bleeding.
4. 4. Toxicity of Spanish thyme: Spanish thyme is a variety of thyme that is toxic to dogs. It contains a chemical called diterpene, which can lower a dog’s blood pressure to dangerous levels. The sap of the plant also contains carvacrol and eugenol which can irritate your dog’s skin and upset their gastrointestinal tract if consumed. When a dog consumes large quantities of Spanish thyme, expect vomiting, difficulty breathing, and bloody diarrhea. If you see any of these symptoms, contact a vet or pet poison helpline immediately.

Certain human foods and beverages can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these items 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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