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Can Dogs Eat Cilantro?

Cilantro or coriander is a spice that we can find throughout the whole year. It is used in many dishes, and in many cousines as well, all around the world. It has a citrus and also sage flavor that is very interesting, and makes every dish special. It not only has a very specific flavor and smell, but it is also very healthy for us, just like most other herbs that fall in this category.

We can find it in our gardens and backyards, growing almost as a weed, and it is probably been your concern if your dog can eat it or not. And the answer is yes, it is safe for him and it can even be very healthy. You can incorporate it in your canine friend’s meal plan and offer him all the beneficial nutrients. As for drinking tea, you can also find it on our site.

Nutritional benefits of cilantro

Cilantro is best known as a herb that can control blood sugar levels and cholesterol. It has been applied to diabetic mice and it has helped the stimulation of their secretion of insulin and it has lowered their blood sugar. In rats it has lowered the damaged fats in their cell membranes. Cilantro also has antimicrobal properties.

Cilantro volatile oil has beneficial component phytonutrients and acid compounds like caffeic and chlorogenic acids.

Since it contains antibacterial properties, cilantro can be used in fight against Salmonella. This is a very natural and safe way to fight this dangerous condition, without using difficult medications. Cilantro contains dodecenal which is also found in drugs like gentamicin which fights Salmonella. dodecenal can be also found in seeds and leaves of cilantro, and these are the parts that we normally use in our meal plans, in dishes like salsa for example.

There are eight other antibiotic compunds, that were extracted from coriander and they can be developed as tasteless food additive in prevention of foodborne illness.

Cilantro in dog’s meal plan

Although cilantro is not common for doggy meal plans, it can be used as an addition to his food. It is determined that cilantro is safe to use and it hasn’t been prove toxic in any case.

This herb is very simmilar to parsley and you can use it in small amounts in your dog’s food to boost his immune system. Colantro has many beneficial components that are good for people as well as for dogs. We don’t of course share all the same benefits, but some of them are taken in by our dog’s digestive system.

In some cases cilantro or coriander can be used as a relief if your doggy has stomach issues, or tummy ache. You can even cook him a cilantro tee (tee made from dried cilantro) and give him when it cools down of course. This will calm down his stomach and make his digestion a little better.

Cilantro is also rich in vitamin C and vitamin K. They will protect your furry friend from colds and keep him healthy. Iron, magnesium and flavonoids from coriander will be very beneficial for your friend as well.

Of course, all of these components can be found in other supplements that are meant for dogs especially, so you don’t NEED to use cilantro. Also make sure not to go overboard with giving him cilantro. In small amounts it is okay, but too much of anything can be bad for him. You never know what kind of reaction his body mmight have, since it is not really accustomed to eating herbs.

The main problem with using cilantro, or any herb in general, is that dog’s digestive system is just not used to eating plants. They have hard times processing them and it might cause them food allergies. They are, however, rare but not impossible.  So, when trying any new food, first monitor his reactions, and give him smaller amounts, just to make sure he takes it well.

If you notice anything strange, make sure to check in with your veterinarian. It might be that he has food intolerance, and consuming cilantro, in this case, caused it.

This herb is very easy to maintain and we can find all year round. So, this makes it a great source of everything beneficial for our bodies as well as for our canine friends. It is rich in all the important vitamins and many other healthy components which boost immune systems.

However, the main downside is that dogs are not used to eating herbs and plants, so giving him them as an experiment can cause troubles. He might have an allergy that you don’t know about. This will, of course, cause him more trouble than help. Always start with small amounts or jst ask your veterinarian is it okay to incorporate some cilantro in his food.

In the end it is most important to keep them safe, and as far as the supplements go, they can be found in other sources. You can also read our article on whether dogs can eat strawberries.