11 Best Culinary Herbs for Your Dog
Herbs are more than just flavorful additions to meals—they’re natural remedies that can improve your dog’s health, from soothing digestion to boosting immunity. Each herb works uniquely to support your dog’s body, offering a safe, natural way to tackle common issues. Here, we’ll dive into their benefits, recommended dosages, how often to use them, and simple ways to include them in your dog’s meals.
1. Parsley
What it Helps With: Bad breath, detoxifying the kidneys, and improving urinary health.
How it Works: Parsley contains chlorophyll, which naturally freshens breath and detoxifies the body. It’s also packed with vitamins A, C, and K, helping with inflammation, vision, and healthy blood clotting.
Other Benefits: It can act as a gentle diuretic, supporting healthy kidney function and flushing toxins.
Dosage:
Small dogs: 1/4 teaspoon of fresh or dried parsley per meal.
Medium dogs: 1/2 teaspoon.
Large dogs: 1 teaspoon.
Use 3–4 times a week.
Recipes:
Parsley Sprinkle: Mix finely chopped parsley into your dog’s kibble or wet food.
Parsley Bone Broth: Add fresh parsley stems to bone broth during simmering.
2. Basil
What it Helps With: Anxiety, inflammation, and infections.
How it Works: Basil has adaptogenic properties, which means it helps your dog’s body manage stress. It also contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds that support the immune system and ease arthritis pain.
Other Benefits: Basil can calm an upset tummy and help with digestion.
Dosage:
Small dogs: 1 small leaf or a pinch of dried basil per meal.
Medium dogs: 2 small leaves or 1/8 teaspoon dried.
Large dogs: 3–4 small leaves or 1/4 teaspoon dried.
Use 2–3 times a week.
Recipes:
Basil Pesto for Dogs: Blend fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of parsley. Add to meals.
Calming Basil Tea: Steep basil leaves in warm water, cool, and pour over food.
3. Oregano
What it Helps With: Gut health, bacterial infections, and yeast overgrowth.
How it Works: Oregano’s active compound, carvacrol, has natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It’s great for dogs prone to digestive issues or yeast-related skin problems.
Other Benefits: It’s a strong immune booster, packed with antioxidants that protect against cellular damage.
Dosage:
Small dogs: 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 small fresh leaf per meal.
Medium dogs: 1/4 teaspoon dried or 2 fresh leaves.
Large dogs: 1/2 teaspoon dried or 3–4 fresh leaves.
Use daily for maximum benefits.
Recipes:
Immune-Boosting Meal Topper: Mix oregano with bone broth and drizzle over food.
Oregano Coconut Oil Paste: Blend dried oregano into coconut oil and serve as a treat.
4. Dill
What it Helps With: Bloating, gas, bad breath, and nausea.
How it Works: Dill’s essential oils relax the digestive muscles, making it easier for your dog to pass gas and digest food. It also helps freshen breath and may even discourage plaque buildup.
Other Benefits: Dill has antimicrobial properties, so it can help fight minor infections.
Dosage:
Small dogs: 1/8 teaspoon dried dill or 1/4 teaspoon fresh dill.
Medium dogs: 1/4 teaspoon dried or 1/2 teaspoon fresh dill.
Large dogs: 1/2 teaspoon dried or 1 teaspoon fresh dill.
Use 3–4 times a week.
Recipes:
Digestive Dill Tea: Steep fresh dill in warm water and pour over food.
Dill-Infused Bone Broth: Add dill stems to simmering bone broth.
5. Thyme
What it Helps With: Respiratory issues, infections, and weak immunity.
How it Works: Thyme contains thymol, a compound with antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It’s especially helpful for dogs with respiratory conditions or minor infections.
Other Benefits: Thyme also supports healthy digestion and can help with minor tummy troubles.
Dosage:
Small dogs: 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme.
Medium dogs: 1/4 teaspoon.
Large dogs: 1/2 teaspoon.
Use 3–4 times a week.
Recipes:
Thyme-Infused Kibble: Sprinkle thyme over kibble and mix with olive oil.
Soothing Thyme Tea: Brew thyme leaves, cool, and serve as a hydrating topper.
6. Rosemary
What it Helps With: Memory, energy levels, and cellular protection.
How it Works: Rosemary is rich in antioxidants, which protect your dog’s brain from aging. It also stimulates circulation, keeping energy levels up and supporting heart health.
Other Benefits: It’s a natural preservative for homemade dog food or treats!
Dosage:
Small dogs: 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon fresh.
Medium dogs: 1/4 teaspoon dried or 1/2 teaspoon fresh.
Large dogs: 1/2 teaspoon dried or 1 teaspoon fresh.
Use 2–3 times a week.
Recipes:
Brain Boost Blend: Add rosemary to bone broth or a homemade meat stew.
Herb-Rubbed Treats: Sprinkle rosemary over dehydrated meat strips.
7. Turmeric
What it Helps With: Arthritis, joint pain, and chronic inflammation.
How it Works: Turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, reduces inflammation and supports joint health. It’s especially beneficial for older dogs or those with arthritis.
Other Benefits: It supports liver health and may even reduce the risk of cancer.
Dosage:
Small dogs: 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder.
Medium dogs: 1/4 teaspoon.
Large dogs: 1/2 teaspoon.
Use daily with a pinch of black pepper and a healthy fat for absorption.
Recipes:
Golden Paste: Mix turmeric, coconut oil, and black pepper into a paste and add to meals.
Turmeric Bone Broth: Add turmeric to simmering broth for joint support.
8. Chamomile
What it Helps With: Anxiety, stomach cramps, and inflammation.
How it Works: Chamomile contains apigenin, which has a calming effect on the nervous system. It also soothes the stomach lining, making it great for dogs prone to tummy troubles.
Other Benefits: Chamomile can help with skin irritations when used topically.
Dosage:
Brew chamomile tea: 1/4 cup for small dogs, 1/2 cup for medium dogs, 1 cup for large dogs.
Use as needed for anxiety or mild digestive upset.
Recipes:
Calming Chamomile Water: Add brewed chamomile tea to their water bowl.
9. Nettle
What it Helps With: Seasonal allergies, anemia, and inflammation.
How it Works: Nettle is rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and K. It helps reduce histamine production, easing allergy symptoms. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also soothe joint pain.
Other Benefits: Nettle supports healthy skin, coat, and urinary tract function.
Dosage:
Small dogs: 1/4 teaspoon dried nettle or 1 teaspoon fresh nettle tea.
Medium dogs: 1/2 teaspoon dried nettle or 2 teaspoons fresh nettle tea.
Large dogs: 1 teaspoon dried nettle or 1 tablespoon fresh nettle tea.
Use daily or as needed for allergies or nutrient support.
Recipes:
Nettle Tea: Brew nettle leaves, cool, and pour over food.
Detox Sprinkle: Mix dried nettle into kibble or wet food.
10. Sage
What it Helps With: Bad breath, gum inflammation, and indigestion.
How it Works: Sage’s antimicrobial properties fight bacteria in the mouth, reducing plaque and improving breath. It also helps soothe digestive upsets like gas or mild diarrhea.
Other Benefits: Sage contains antioxidants that support overall cellular health.
Dosage:
Small dogs: 1/8 teaspoon dried sage or 1 small fresh leaf, finely chopped.
Medium dogs: 1/4 teaspoon dried sage or 2 fresh leaves.
Large dogs: 1/2 teaspoon dried sage or 3 fresh leaves.
Use 2–3 times a week.
Recipes:
Dental Sprinkle: Mix dried sage into food to promote oral health.
Sage-Infused Bone Broth: Add fresh sage leaves to simmering broth for digestive support.
11. Peppermint
What it Helps With: Nausea, bloating, and minor respiratory issues.
How it Works: The menthol in peppermint relaxes the digestive tract, making it easier for your dog to pass gas or recover from nausea. It can also act as a mild decongestant for stuffy noses.
Other Benefits: Freshens breath naturally and may help with motion sickness.
Dosage:
Small dogs: 1–2 fresh peppermint leaves or 1/8 teaspoon dried peppermint.
Medium dogs: 3–4 fresh leaves or 1/4 teaspoon dried peppermint.
Large dogs: 5–6 fresh leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried peppermint.
Use as needed for digestive upset or breath freshening.
Recipes:
Peppermint Water: Brew peppermint tea, cool, and offer as a refreshing drink.
Breath-Boosting Treats: Mix dried peppermint into homemade dog biscuits.
Incorporating Herbs into Your Dog’s Diet
Bone Broth Infusion: Add these herbs to Healing Bone Broth for Dogs: Recipes for Optimal Canine Health for enhanced benefits.
Meal Toppers: Sprinkle dried herbs directly onto their food.
Herb Paste: Blend fresh herbs with olive oil for a simple meal enhancer.
Treats: Incorporate herbs into homemade dog biscuits or chews.
Adding Herbs for Specific Health Goals
Calming and Anxiety: Basil and dill.
Immune Support: Oregano and thyme.
Digestive Health: Dill and parsley.
Aging Support: Rosemary and parsley.
Skin and Coat: Thyme and rosemary.
By incorporating these herbs, you’re giving your dog the gift of better health—naturally!
For more recipes using these herbs, check out my guide:
📖 Healing Bone Broth for Dogs: Recipes for Optimal Canine Health.
Packed with 40+ recipes, it’s your go-to resource for supporting your dog’s health with nutrient-rich meals. 🌿🐾