It is very common, especially on some holidays, to ask if it’s okay to give your dog peppermint. The short answer is yes. But before you fill your puppy bowl with mint candies to refresh your breath, let’s take a closer look at this issue to see if there are any health factors to worry about, as well as diet limits or recommendations you should follow.
Is Peppermint bad for my dog?
Peppermint is a hybrid plant created by mixing the mint plant with the peppermint plant. All three plants can be consumed by your dog in small quantities, as well as peppermint and mint extract. However, the American Kennel Club recommends that you do not use peppermint or other essential oils around your pet, as they can be harmful to health. In some cases, it may be possible to dilute the essential oil to safe levels, but it is probably better to avoid it.
Too much peppermint extract can cause stomach discomfort to your pet and any change in diet can disturb your delicate digestive system. When the digestive system is unbalanced, it is not uncommon for your pet to experience vomiting, diarrhoea and other problems until it returns to normal.
Mint treats can also lead to weight gain and obesity, as well as any treat if not administered sparingly. We do not recommend offering your dog peppermint-flavoured sweets and cookies; these people treat with very high calorie content, are bad for their teeth and may contain other ingredients that can be harmful to your pet. One of the biggest concerns is xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in many sweets that can be deadly to your pet if ingested.
Is Peppermint good for my dog?
Your dog may like the flavour of peppermint, and this can help refresh the breath for a while. If your dog is used to eating peppermint and is a regular part of your diet, it can help calm a stomach ache. Peppermint also has other beneficial properties. Peppermint leaves are rich in vitamins A and C. It contains copper, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and other important minerals. It is also rich in fibre and full of antioxidants.
How do I feed my dog peppermint or mint leaves?
The easiest and probably best way to add peppermint to your pet’s diet is to sprinkle some fresh or dry peppermint leaves over food once a day. Start with very small amounts and notice the signs that you may be unbalancing your dog’s digestive system. Once you are used to the new food, you can slightly increase the amount.
Mint treats for dogs
Here’s a recipe that uses fresh peppermint leaves to create a healthy snack for your pet. This recipe was brought to us by Petcube. These treats provide a healthy snack that will help improve your pet’s breathing.
Ingredients
2 1⁄2 cups of old-fashioned oats
1⁄2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1⁄2 cup chopped fresh peppermint
A large egg or 1⁄4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1⁄4 cup plus a teaspoon of water
Three tablespoons of unrefined extra virgin coconut oil
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325 ° Fahrenheit
Step 2: Use a blender to pulse the oats until you get a flour consistency
Step 3: Mix parsley, peppermint, egg or apple puree, water and oil in a large bowl
Step 4: Add the oats powder and mix well
Step 5: Knead the dough several times before placing it on a flour-covered surface
Step 6: Flatter the dough about 1⁄8 inch thick using a roll or hands
Step 7: Use a cookie cutter or knife to cut 1 x 1 inch treats
Step 8: Place cookies about 1⁄4 inch away on a parchment-lined or non-stick baking sheet
Step 9: Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown
Step 10: Let the treats cool completely before serving
Step 11: Store in an airtight container
What about mint bullets for dogs?
There are many recipes for homemade mint candies for your dog, and unsurprisingly, these contain mint. You can also buy mint candies for your dog. Please do not replace a canine breath mint with one of your favourite. Human mint candies may contain xylitol, which is very toxic to dogs.
Both types of chillied mint do not contain excessive amounts of mint, so it is safe for your puppy to eat. However, make sure you never give them more than the recommended amount per day! And always store them in a safe place where your dog can’t reach them when you’re away from home.
If you choose to use a DIY recipe, it is probably better to stick to recipes that use mint leaves instead of essential oils. The use of essential oils in dogs should be considered with extreme care. If you want to use a recipe with mint essential oil, we recommend talking to your veterinarian first.
Mint essential oil
Great care should be taken if you want to use any kind of essential oil with your dog. Once applied orally or topically, essential oils are quickly absorbed by your dog’s body, where they are decomposed by your dog’s liver.
Some essential oils can be toxic to dogs and should never be used near them. These include pennyroyal and peppermint.
The use of any essential oil in your dog should be carefully considered and discussed with your veterinarian before you proceed.
A note about Pennyroyal
The pennyroyal is a plant belonging to the mint family. It can be toxic to dogs if they eat, but for confusion, some powders for fleas and deodorant sprays are also used. Poejo essential oil can also cause poisoning resulting in death if applied directly to your dog’s skin. The problem is a compound called pulegone, which can cause liver damage.
Symptoms of pennyroyal poisoning include:
Lethargy
Nose bleeds
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Breathing difficulties.
If you used Poejo oil near your dog or if they ingested it and show any of the above symptoms, talk to your veterinarian immediately. It is probably safer to avoid any type of product that uses pennyroyal.
Summary
We hope you enjoyed this quick look to know if you can feed your dog peppermint. Fresh or dried leaves, along with peppermint extract, are perfectly safe if administered sparingly and can also lead to fresher breath. It can also help calm a stomach pain, and we believe that your dog will love the mint treats for dogs that we included in the recipe and hope you try it. Remember to avoid essential oils around your pet and adhere to canine treats on vacation to avoid obesity and other possible health problems with xylitol, etc.