Can Dogs Eat Cilantro?

Hello there, Sammy the sheepdog here, and I’m on hand to answer all of your queries regarding cilantro and other related herbs, and whether or not they’re safe for us to eat.

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Some herbs can be harmful to dogs, but thankfully, cilantro is safe for us dogs to eat in moderate quantities. Plus, there are actually quite a few health benefits to this herb.

However, as with all human food, there’s a small chance cilantro may not agree with certain dogs. With this in mind, it’s best to introduce this herb to us slowly to check we’re not allergic to cilantro or show any negative reactions.

Can I give my dog coriander?

Yes, coriander is just another name for cilantro, and it’s mainly used in countries such as the UK!

What are the health benefits of cilantro?

Cilantro is packed full of healthy vitamins and minerals. It can also help calm our upset stomachs and is also known to ease digestion problems.

Some of the nutrients found in cilantro include:

  • Vitamin A – This is great for keeping our eyes, immune system, and organ functions healthy
  • Vitamin C – This regulates blood clotting and is also good for strengthening our bones
  • Vitamin K – Vitamin K helps maintain healthy skin, blood vessels, and other connective tissue
  • Calcium – This is important for building strong bones and maintaining good dental health, and also helps with normal blood clotting
  • Iron – Iron is vital for creating red blood cells which carry oxygen to our brains
  • Magnesium – This is necessary for nerve transmission, as well as regulating our metabolism and muscle contraction.

Keep in mind, this herb shouldn’t be used as the primary source for consuming these nutrients, and dogs, just like humans, need to eat a balanced diet!

Can dogs eat cilantro lime rice?

If you regularly enjoy Mexican food, you might be wondering whether or not your dog can enjoy a helping of cilantro lime rice?

While dogs can eat cilantro and rice, you shouldn’t feed us cilantro lime rice – even though it might seem like the perfect combination for you human!

Sadly, you shouldn’t feed your dog anything with lime in it, as this citrus fruit is toxic to us – even if it’s just being used as an ingredient in a packet of cilantro lime rice.

Limes contain the essential oils limonene and linalool as well as a compound called psoralen, and, while these are safe for humans, they can be extremely dangerous when consumed by dogs.

Symptoms of lime poisoning in dogs include diarrhea, excessive drooling, cold limbs, collapsing, lethargy, liver failure, loss of coordination, vomiting, weakness, and many more. So, if you think your dog has consumed limes or lime products, get us to the vets immediately.

On the other hand, we can eat plain, white cooked rice with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro garnish on top, and this is great for calming an upset stomach.

Just remember the key to feeding us the occasional human dish is to keep portions small and only feed us them occasionally as a treat.

How much cilantro is safe for dogs?

As mentioned earlier in this article, it’s best to start out with very small amounts when introducing cilantro into our diets.

This is essential to ensure we’re not allergic to the herb – and the same goes when feeding us any other human foods, even if they’re generally considered “safe” for dogs.

Once you’re sure that we’re not allergic to it, you can safely feed us small amounts of cilantro every now and again. For most of us, a pinch of cilantro seasoning mixed into our daily food is enough for dogs of most sizes.

You should also consider our individual size though, as obviously, the smaller the dog, the less cilantro you should feed them.

What herbs are toxic for dogs?

While cilantro is fine for us to eat, there are a bunch of other herbs that aren’t so safe.

The following are all toxic to dogs, meaning they can be very harmful, and could even be fatal if we are fed them or accidentally eat them:

  • Chamomile
  • Chives
  • Garlic
  • Hops
  • Leeks
  • Marijuana
  • Onions & Shallots
  • Rhubarb
  • Tomato Plants

What seasonings are safe for dogs?

Cilantro is great for adding a touch of flavor to your dog’s dish, and as we explained, there are lots of health benefits to the herb, too.

There are a few other seasonings and spices that are safe for dogs to eat, and may have associated health benefits, too. The following are all fine to feed us in small quantities:

Basil

Basil can help diminish the painful effects of arthritis, elevate the mood, and provide a remedy for stress and anxiety.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been known to help counteract the effects of diabetes.

Cinnamon also helps reduce the aflatoxins found in store-bought food. (Aflatoxins are fungi that grow on the crown and other crops.) Cinnamon can also help improve bad breath.

Ginger

Ginger root is another flavorful agent that contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It can provide a boost to the digestive system and soothe nausea, as well as improve circulation.

However, fresh ginger is quite strong, so you might want to use dried or ground ginger instead.

Parsley

Parsley contains healthy antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

It helps improve organ function, can flush toxins from the body, and can even improve bad breath.

Tumeric

Turmeric, which comes from a root (like ginger), provides a boost to the metabolism and helps accelerate weight loss. It provides benefits for cardiovascular, joint, and brain health.

Turmeric can provide some relief from arthritis, and has been used to protect against cancer and anemia, too.

What seasonings are toxic to dogs?

There are quite a few seasonings and spices that we shouldn’t be fed, as these can be toxic for us, including:

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Nutmeg

You should definitely avoid giving us the above foods, as sadly they don’t agree with our stomachs and can even be fatal for us!