Dogs explore the world with their mouths and snouts, including nibbling on plants and grass in your backyard. This behavior may be a habit you would want to kick if your pooch is destroying your carefully cultivated plants, but it can also be put to good use.
There are edible plants for dogs you can integrate into your garden that are good for your dog to chew on and it’s good for your health as well!
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Best Plants Dogs Can Eat You Can Grow in Your Garden
If you look at the label of dog foods, many of them will contain trace amounts of the following plants that pose many health benefits for your pup.
1. Chamomile
We start off the list with chamomile which are one best plants for dogs. This are something pet parents with anxious dogs may be familiar with. Chamomile tea, for us, has calming effects, and it has the same benefit for your fur baby.
It’s a very relaxing herb that is a godsend when you’re crate training your pup. It’s also a very helpful supplement for dogs who suffer from separation anxiety.
As your dog enters the later stages of his life, chamomile is an excellent herb for relaxation. Those of you who have had chamomile tea before bed will know exactly what we mean.
Aside from being a calming aid, growing chamomile plants in your garden can also help dogs who have gastrointestinal upset. Having a bit of chamomile can improve your dog’s digestion. Not to mention, chamomile flowers are very pretty to look at.
2. Parsley
Not everyone is a fan of parsley, but if you are, you will reap a ton of health benefits, and so will your dog. Parsley plants have a lot of minerals, boost immune systems, and help to balance pH levels.
It also happens to be a natural source of a variety of vitamins such as vitamin A, C, and K, all of which boost your dog’s immune system and ward off diseases and illnesses.
Parsley, as most plants are, is a very helpful herb for digestion. Not only will it improve digestion, but parsley also supports bladder and kidney health.
3. Fennel
Another edible plants for dogs you can add to your garden are fennel. The beautiful tiny yellow flowers are not just for aesthetics, but they can aid digestion.
Dogs are known to have stomach upsets quite often in their lives, so keeping some fennel in your garden gives you a secret weapon to combat it.
You can consider adding the whole plant or just some fennel leaves as a daily staple to your dog's meal. However, too much of a good thing can be bad, which is with all things, so don’t put too much at once!
We also suggest introducing small quantities just to see how your dog does with it before adding more.
4. Thyme
Thyme is a staple herb in dry rubs and Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, and there is no reason why your dog can’t enjoy some on the daily. Thyme looks beautiful in pots and can be strategically placed around the garden.
Thyme has quite a strong flavor that may not be favored by some dogs or humans, but if you and your dog love it, they bring a myriad of health benefits.
You shouldn’t give your pooch too much at once; it’s recommended to add 1 tsp per pound to reap health benefits such as oral health support.
5. Rosemary
Following the trend of healthy herbs often seen in delicious human dishes is rosemary. Rosemary, if you like the smell, can not only be ingested but also used as a fragrant bath add-on.
Bathing in rosemary can also improve skin and coat health for your pooch, a difference you can see and feel after a few baths.
Other benefits of rosemary are antibacterial and antifungal, which has numerous benefits. Rosemary has to be grown outside to thrive, but you can put it in pots placed on windowsills or balconies.
6. Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is an ingredient often seen in dog food, but nothing beats fresh versions. Wheatgrass can resemble small patches of grass inside your home, so we suggest placing them outside if possible to avoid confusion on your dog’s part.
You can also consider getting fake grass for your dog to pee on indoors or to use puppy pads. Wheatgrass provides odor managing properties which include decreasing the lingering dog smell most pet parents have in the house and freshening your dog’s breath.
7. Dandelion
The most beautiful weed, the dandelion, are also beneficial plants for dogs. Dandelions are all over the place in some cities, but can you just let your dog graze on them?
The answer is yes! Dogs can eat all parts of the dandelion, but we still recommend washing them clean. It’s perfectly fine if your dog nibbles on one or two wild ones.
Since dandelions are weeds, they are easier to have than to get rid of, so you may not even have to work hard to have them in your garden!
The health benefits dandelions provide include supplementing the diet with essential vitamins and minerals and kidney and liver support.
Introducing Plants into Your Dog’s Diet
Like with any dog food or supplement, we suggest double-checking with your vet to make sure it’s okay. After all, your trusted medical professional will have a better idea of your dog’s health condition, allergies, and what he needs.
The next step is to introduce it slowly and monitor how your dog is handling the new ingredient. If your dog doesn’t like it or if you notice adverse effects, then cease feeding immediately.
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Now You Know What Plants Dogs Can Eat
Some human ingredients are excellent supplements for dogs, and so are some plants! You can give your dog access to these healthy plants by growing them in your yard.
You can also benefit from a lot of the options above by adding them to your recipes. Just remember to introduce any new ingredient slowly and to see how your dog reacts.
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