Can Dogs Eat Ginger? Yes, in moderation: Safe Amount by Weight

In moderation

Yes, in moderation

small amounts of fresh ginger are safe for dogs, and some vets suggest it for mild nausea. Too much can cause heartburn or stomach upset. Avoid gingerbread and ginger snaps, which contain sugar, butter and sometimes nutmeg.

Ginger for dogs at a glance

Can dogs eat it?	In moderation
Calories	About 1 kcal per 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
Main benefit	May ease mild nausea and car sickness
Main risk	Large amounts can cause gas, heartburn or diarrhea
Puppies?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; puppies have sensitive stomachs

How much ginger can a dog eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger has about 1 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult dog could have in a day if ginger were the only treat.

Dog weight	Daily treat budget	Max ginger per day
10 lb (4.5 kg)	35 kcal	34 × 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
20 lb (9.1 kg)	59 kcal	58 × 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
40 lb (18.1 kg)	98 kcal	98 × 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
60 lb (27.2 kg)	133 kcal	133 × 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
80 lb (36.3 kg)	166 kcal	165 × 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

Benefits and risks

Benefits

May ease mild nausea and car sickness
Anti-inflammatory compounds
Very low in calories

Risks

Large amounts can cause gas, heartburn or diarrhea
Can thin the blood; avoid before surgery or with blood thinners
Ginger cookies contain sugar and spices

How to feed ginger to your dog

Use a pinch of fresh grated ginger in food
Small dogs: less than 1/4 teaspoon
Ask your vet before using it for nausea

What if my dog ate too much ginger?

Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your dog seems unwell.

Planning treats? Check your dog's full daily needs with the dog food calculator or dog calorie calculator.

Ginger and dogs: FAQ

Can dogs have ginger?

Yes, small amounts of fresh ginger are safe for dogs, and some vets suggest it for mild nausea. Too much can cause heartburn or stomach upset. Avoid gingerbread and ginger snaps, which contain sugar, butter and sometimes nutmeg.

Can dogs eat gingerbread?

It is best not to: gingerbread contains sugar, butter and nutmeg.

Can puppies eat ginger?

Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Puppies have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete puppy food.

More "can dogs eat" guides

Browse lists: human foods dogs can eat · foods dogs can't eat

Sources

This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs. Dogs with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.

Can Dogs Eat Ginger?