Cumin is used to add flavor to many human dishes, and the spice is especially popular in Indian food, although it is also commonly found in other cuisines from around the world. Although it is generally considered safe for dogs to eat in small doses, large doses can cause gastrointestinal upset. Also, cumin is commonly combined with garlic and onion, both of which can be dangerous to dogs, so you’ll need to check the ingredients list carefully before feeding your dog anything containing cumin and other spices.
Read on for more information about whether it is safe for dogs to eat cumin, and whether there are any health benefits that the spice can provide to our canine friends.
What Is Cumin?
Cumin is a plant that originated in Asia. It was originally used in the preservation of mummies, as well as in cooking. Today, the seeds of the plant are used in cuisines from around the globe.
How Is It Used?
The seeds are used whole or ground down into a fine powder, and as well as being sold and used individually, cumin is also a common constituent in curry powder and other spice mixes. As well as being common in Indian cuisine, it is also used in Latin American and Mediterranean food and has been adopted by cooks around the world for its distinctive earthy flavor.
Can Dogs Have Cumin?
It is unlikely that your dog will consume large quantities of the powdered spice or the whole seeds unless they are used in another food that your pup eats. Although cumin is not toxic to dogs, it should not be fed in large quantities. It can make your dog’s stomach upset, often resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
If your dog has eaten a dish that contains cumin, it is more likely to be the other ingredients that pose a serious hazard. Onion and garlic are often combined with cumin and act as complementary flavors, but both can be very toxic to dogs.
Health Benefits
For humans, cumin does have certain health benefits. It can improve digestive health, decrease inflammation, and manage blood sugar levels. It is also a good source of iron, and some herbal supplements do contain cumin for these reasons.
However, while the spice is considered a healthy additive to a human diet, it doesn’t really offer any health benefits to dogs since they eat it in such small amounts. It can be used as a flavorful additive, in small quantities, however, if your dog likes the taste of it.
Health Concerns
Too much cumin can cause diarrhea and vomiting, both of which can be dangerous for dogs if severe. Most cases will clear up within a few days, but if your dog is showing any other signs, or if things don’t get better, see your veterinarian. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, the strong ingredient should be avoided altogether, because it won’t take much to cause an upset stomach.
There is no real need to add cumin to a dog’s diet, so it may be best to avoid it altogether.
Dog Diet
Dogs are omnivores. They can, and should, eat a combination of plant-based and animal-based ingredients. The most important nutrients are:
- Protein is important because it enables the building and maintenance of strong muscles.
- While you might think it best to avoid fat in your dog’s diet, this is an important constituent nutrient as it provides energy and even insulation, although you do need to avoid feeding anything too high in fat because it too can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
- Dogs also need carbohydrates as these provide energy and aid in digestive health.
- Vitamins and minerals include a large variety of different components, and they help with everything from the maintenance of eyes and cognitive function to coat condition and bone health.
- Water is essential to all living things, and dogs are no different.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What other spices can dogs safely eat?
If you’re looking for something to add a little flavor to your homemade dog treats, there are a few other safe spices. Those include basil, turmeric, parsley, ginger, and dill. They may even provide some healthy benefits but are unlikely to make a huge difference since they’re used in such small amounts. Always talk to your vet before adding any spices to your dog’s diet to make sure they are safe and in what amounts.
Is It Okay to Give Dogs Garlic?
Garlic contains thiosulfate which can cause damage to the red blood cells. As such, it is considered toxic to dogs. Despite this, you will see garlic powder or garlic listed in some dog food ingredients.
This is because very low doses of garlic can offer some health benefits and are not considered toxic. However, you should not feed any additional garlic or onions to your dog to be on the safe side.
Conclusion
Cumin is known for its health benefits to humans, as well as for its distinctive flavor and aroma. It is common in many different types of cuisine from around the world. However, despite its health benefits to humans, and despite the fact it is not toxic to dogs, cumin does not really provide any benefit when fed in the small amounts that are considered safe for dogs.
It can be used to improve the palatability of dog food or homemade treats, however, but be sure to speak to your veterinarian first..
Featured Image Credit: Melandaaini, Shutterstock
