Is Rosemary Safe for Dogs?

Some of us love planting rosemary in our garden. The pungent woodsy aroma fills up our garden. And who doesn’t love using fresh rosemary for their daily cookups and those juicy steaks right? But as you start to plant such herbs, keep in mind that our curious little pets are likely to stick their snouts in almost everything, especially the garden.

Apart from the fact that your dog will ruin the fragile plant constantly (which will be quite annoying!), does consuming a stick or two of the herb pose any serious danger to their health? Well, not really.

So, what are some of the things that need to be on your radar? Actually, there are plenty. Starting from what and where you plant, how you fence it, and what types of pesticides you use – it all counts in deciding whether it’s safe for you, your pet, and the environment too.

A Little About Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis (adorably called Rosemary) is an evergreen, aromatic, Mediterranean shrub that is used in culinary for many exotic dishes. It belongs to the herb family of Mints.

With an extremely strong flavor and aroma, Rosemary is considered a symbol of loyalty and love.

Is It Safe for Dogs?

When it comes to your pet dog, the intense flavor and odor with its antioxidant properties act as a powerful natural preservative for dogs. Therefore, Rosemary is absolutely safe for your dog. So, if there are choices between feeding Rosemary and BHA/BHT, undoubtedly, choose Rosemary!

Indeed, Rosemary has some potential benefits that can turn out to be quite useful.

When we dug a little deeper, here’s what we found.

Nutritional and Internal Benefits

To every food lover and pet owner’s delight, rosemary is full of vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, iron, copper, magnesium, and manganese. So a little portion of rosemary goes a long way. This potent antioxidant works as a natural preservative in dogs.

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Mixing a little rosemary to their kibbles would fight any unwanted, harmful bacteria that may grow. Not only that, but it also works as an excellent bacteria-fighter for the eyes and skin.

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Nonetheless, it supports a healthy digestive system and heart functioning. Just a little bit of rosemary can do wonders!

Antimicrobial

Undeniably, Rosemary is a well-known food preservative for dogs. As per sources, they are a great pathogen-fighter against normal food bacteria. Simply put, adding a tiny amount of Rosemary to your canine’s food will prevent it from spoiling. Those pathogen-fighters then extend to your canine’s body, helping them to fight against other fungi and bacteria. The antimicrobial properties can be used as an antibacterial in the skin, eye mouth, and digestive tracts.

Antioxidant

It’s no surprise that Rosemary contains antioxidants, which are excellent when used in humans and now even in dogs. It helps greatly when having to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals in their body – which is obviously an effective thing. If these free radicals are left without care, they will eventually multiply and link to age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease or cancer.

Heart Health Booster

All that Rosemary does is prevent. And since they are gifted with such preventive abilities, they can also help strengthen your dog’s heart. This is partly beneficial for canines who are recovering from traumatic incidents and accidents.

Digestion Supporter

If you are trying to treat your dog’s digestive problems herbally, look no further than Rosemary. It is relatively a proper remedy when healing gas, ingestion, or other similar issues. Again, the antimicrobial abilities can be convenient for serving gastrointestinal infections.

Bug Repellant

Ever thought that there is such an easy solution to getting rid of bugs and parasites? That’s right. Rosemary can help you overcome one of the greatest challenges that you may face like a dog parent, and that is keeping off the pests of your adventurous canine. Now there’s no more of saying no when your naughty canine is running over bushes and getting caught with vulnerable fleas and ticks. Plant a Rosemary bush anywhere in your garden, and bugs like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas will repel on their own.

External Benefits

As we have mentioned quite a few times that rosemary is a great ingredient to help fight bacteria and fungi, along with that, there are other external benefits too. When it comes to skin hydration, you can close your eyes and depend on rosemary.

It works as a natural anti-inflammatory for dogs, fighting redness and swelling in dogs. Moreover, it’s a great supporter of their fur that adds shininess when used as a conditioner. We would recommend you to use rosemary before taking your dog for camping or hiking as that would work as a natural bug repellant.

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Natural Rosemary as a Flea Repellent Conditioner

Amazingly enough, you can create your own rosemary wash as a flea repellent for your canine. You can even use this wash as a condition to keep their coat glossy. Here’s all you need to do:

• 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary (or fresh rosemary)
• 1 pint of boiling hot water

In the boiling water, mix the rosemary and let it steep for 10 minutes in a covered pan. Strain the rosemary and allow the water to cool to room temperature. Pour it all over your pet dog’s body during the final rinse of his bath. Rub it off with a towel. If necessary, use two to three different sheets to blot off excess water on your canine’s coat and let him shake off the water. After your dog dries down, you’ll see a fantastic change in his coat and that it has become shiny and softer.

Rosemary in Dog Food

More often than not, you are more likely to use Rosemary oil in your dog food. No questions on how powerful the natural antioxidant in reducing the risk of cancer in your dog. In fact, herbalists have regarded this as a natural stimulant.

However, it is advisable, not to give rosemary to dogs who are suffering from epilepsy. That’s because it increases the danger of seizures. Although it has not been scientifically proven, it’s better to be safe than sorry. But know that there hasn’t been any case of normal dogs having an adverse reaction to the herb.

What about Rosemary Essential Oil?

No! All we are talking about is rosemary, not rosemary essential oil. It could cause severe health problems (even death) if your dog ingests rosemary essential oil. Generally, it’s not recommended for you to put it directly onto their coat or skin. Scroll down and keep reading about how you can give rosemary to your canine.

How Can I Possibly Give Rosemary to My Pet Dog: Forms and Dosage?

Adding a little bit of the natural herb as a seasoning to turkey, chicken or even potatoes are a great idea. Your canine will love it! The blandest of the meal could turn to be a delicious feast with just a pinch of freshly picked rosemary.

As you know, rosemary is undoubtedly safe for dogs, but just like everything else, you should be attentive to the quantity that you will feed your pet. Adding a little bit of rosemary to their kibbles will do its job. The nutrients and the flavor will enhance its taste, and of course, the underlying benefits are already there.

Depending on how much your canine enjoys the taste of rosemary, you can grind it finely and use it to flavor his meal. If you’re lazy (just like we all are), pick out the fresh leaves and use them to season their food. Howbeit, add it to his water bowl in small quantity, and your part of the work is done.

NOTE: Do not add rosemary oil or any other essential oils to the water that your dog will drink throughout the day. It’s the rosemary that works, not the extract oils. It’s okay if you are giving them rosemary tea. Do take note that it’s a small amount of freshly picked rosemary, either in-ground form of leaves.

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Normally, experts suggest an excellent 1/8 teaspoon for every 20 pounds of your dog weighs is ideal. And a few pinches of leaves for three times a day is also fair enough.

Before you go on serving rosemary, do take a look at the product label of your dog’s kibbles. Some commercial products may already contain rosemary as one of their prime ingredients. Many may say that the rosemary is there to add flavor and to work as a nutritional benefit, others say that it acts as a natural preservative in the dog’s food. Whichever the reason may be, both are correct!

Some dog parents may have come across the concerns that the commercial dog foods that contain rosemary should be avoided. It is because dogs should be given fresh rosemary, not the ones that have been processed and stored for quite long.

We’ve always known rosemary as a potential herb in dogs, and the one herb that has not been into any controversy as yet. However, when in doubt, go ahead and ask your holistic vet whether or not you should offer rosemary to your pet dog.

Every canine is unique in their own way, and so is yours. If it’s your first-time feeding rosemary to your pet, feel free to consult your vet or do your own thorough research.

Just a Few Precautions

Does your dog have a history of seizures? Or are they prone to having them? If so, then it is highly recommended for you not to give them any amount of rosemary. Not even the commercial dog food that includes rosemary as one of the ingredients.

In case of essential oils, make sure to dilute it properly. Never ever use in it in concentrations over 1%. And before using any essential oil, make sure that you have enough knowledge regarding it, or your vet has suggested you do so; otherwise, it can turn out to be very dangerous.

For pregnant dogs, rosemary is a big NO.

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In some cases, some dogs might experience an allergic reaction to rosemary. If their kibbles contain rosemary, it could possibly be their food. Therefore, you need to discontinue feeding it and take steps to remove rosemary from his diet.

If you are looking to add some spice to your pup’s food, rosemary qualifies as the safest option. But do take note of the quantity. This is to ensure that rosemary is fed in moderation.

And if you are worried that you might exceed the suggested amount, go ahead and check with your vet. Or you may even follow the serving size of commercial dog food that contains rosemary.

Always administer the amount of rosemary you’ll be giving your vet beforehand, just to be on the safe side.

Is It Strange for My Dog to Twitch or Get Random Seizures?

Uh-no! That sounds a little alarming, and any odd behavior should not be overlooked as it may display a significant sign of a medical emergency. Now if this brings a little concern whether feeding rosemary is causing it, well, we’d say that the answer is a no.

That’s because seizures are not necessarily induced by rosemary. In fact, rosemary is a popular natural preservative that has powerful antioxidants. Look at some of the other stuff that you are feeding your canine; that’s what might be causing it.

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Bottom Line

Rosemary has always been a hot topic in the pet industry. So far, there hasn’t been anything negative about rosemary being a wild herb for canines, except for some, who may have faced an allergic reaction.

We always advise you to visit your regular vet before you rush into making any significant changes in your pup’s diet. Some of us always mistakenly believe that just because it’s natural, it’s safe. Although that’s not the case with rosemary, still, expert advice always helps!

How do you administer rosemary to your furry friend?

Do you have any questions regarding other medicinal herbs for your little puppet? Leave it in the comments section, we’d love to answer!