Can Dogs Eat Cilantro? What Are The Health Benefits For Fido?

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Quick Summary

Dogs can safely eat cilantro provided they are given in small amounts. Give dogs only the leaves as the stems may be hard to digest and cause stomach issues.
Some of the benefits of cilantro to dogs include improving their breath and helping with digestive Issues. They are also rich in antioxidants and antibacterial properties.
Watch your dog for nay signs of allergy to cilantro such as skin irritation and swollen face or body. The fiber in cilantro is good, but high amounts of it in your dog’s system will cause nausea and diarrhea.

Yes. Dogs can eat cilantro. If you decide to put cilantro to your dog’s food, add the leaves only and in small doses. The plant can improve your furry friend’s health, but a lot of the time, sudden changes in diet can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort.

Cilantro is a herb that belongs to the Apiaceae family, including coriander and celery. Also known as Chinese parsley, cilantro is one of my favorite herbs to add to my food—and my dogs’. According to the American Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, cilantro has been proven to be non-toxic to dogs except if they already suffer from plant-related allergies. My dogs fortunately do not have this allergy so they can enjoy the fresh taste of this wonderful herb.

If you are like other dog owners wondering what cilantro can give Fido, the possible risks, as well as how much to feed your dog, I’ve made a guide below.

Health Benefits of Cilantro for Dogs

Cilantro does have several benefits that can improve your dog’s health aside from the complement of vitamins and minerals. For one, it is an excellent way to help your pet detox and even have a healthy skin. There is research that shows cilantro helps dogs to clear their bodies of heavy metals like mercury. It works by binding to the poisonous metals in the tissues and helps your dog to excrete them.

Secondly, cilantro is rich in antioxidants which protect the cells from harmful free radicals. That helps reduce instances of inflammation and prevents the development of cancer. Both cilantro and coriander can reduce blood clots, heart disease, and blood pressure, which is great for older dogs.

Finally, the herb also comes with strong antibacterial attributes as health benefits, so adding it to your dog’s diet can help it fight off many infections in the digestive system.

Improving Your Canine’s Breath

Interestingly cilantro is excellent for cleaning your dog’s mouth. Due to its antibacterial properties, the plant can help prevent gum infections that could lead to foul breath. That comes in handy, especially if you struggle brushing your dog’s teeth daily. It is also a great ingredient if you are looking to make a homemade dog breath spray. Some pet owners add a few drops of cilantro oil extract to the water bowl.

Help with Digestive Issues

Cilantro has been used as a natural remedy for stomach upsets due to its fiber content. Aside from preventing constipation, several properties could help it prevent gastrointestinal infections like bloating and heartburn, or worse, gastric dilation and volvulus in dogs. The same attributes also prevail for dogs. If your dog has a sensitive tummy or has bloating, then cilantro could be a potential solution as it helps with digestive issues. Be careful with feeding you pups as they are especially sensitive—always choose the best dog food for puppies.

Risks of Feeding Your Dog Cilantro

Although considered non-toxic for pets, there are still some possible risks when a dog eats cilantro. For one, your furry friend may be allergic to the plant, so care is required even when feeding your dog. Allergies may manifest in the form of skin irritation or nausea [1]. In extreme cases, dogs can have a swollen face or a body. Swellings are very severe, so you need to take the dog to the veterinarian. Too much cilantro could be hard on the dog’s tummy as well. Fiber is good, but the dog cannot digest it in high amounts, leading to nausea and diarrhea. Similarly, if you put too much of it in your pet’s regular food, they might get confused as to why their diet tastes strange all of a sudden.

How Much Cilantro to Feed Your Dog

The great thing with cilantro is the fibers do not pose a choking hazard for dogs, as is the case with numerous other foods, so they are physically safe. You may also use different varieties though the cilantro seeds have lower vitamins than the fresh leaves. The best alternative is to chop fresh cilantro and add them to the dog’s regular meal. If it is the first time they are having it, similarly, begin with a small amount, so they do not have an upset stomach. With time, you can increase the amounts but do not give the animal more than one teaspoon.

What is the Safe Amount of Cilantro?

After making sure the dog is not allergic to cilantro, dog owners can begin by adding small amounts to is diet. A pinch of chopped cilantro would be the right amount to add on top of your dog’s food. You can increase this up to a little over one teaspoon over time.

Can Dogs Eat Cilantro Leaves?

Dogs can eat fresh herbs and cilantro. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, a pinch of cilantro would be great for your dog’s food. You may see the fresh cilantro leaves begin to change color for those who have a herb garden. When the cilantro is dying, the fresh leaves will turn red or pink. It is still also safe for your dogs to eat these leaves, but they do not have as many health benefits as your pet will not like how dry and crunchy they are.

FAQs

Can dogs eat cilantro roots?

Cilantro roots are not toxic though they are not the best parts to let your dog eat because of the excess fiber levels. If you find the dog nibbling on roots, don’t be alarmed. That being said, it would be a good idea to keep the plant away from them.

Can dogs have cilantro juice?

Even though the juice may be safe, your dogs shouldn’t drink it. The reason is the high sugar and caloric levels which results in weight.

Can dogs taste cilantro?

There are queries about whether your dog can taste cilantro because of its relation to spices. The answer, in this case, is yes. They can taste the cilantro, which is why it is advisable to add a small amount to the dog food.