Ginger is one of those ingredients most of us have somewhere in the kitchen. We add it to curries, stir-fries, teas, cakes and biscuits, and it has a long history of being used to help with digestive upset and nausea.

But can dogs eat ginger too?

The simple answer is yes – most healthy dogs can eat small amounts of ginger.

Ginger isn't something your dog needs in their diet and adding it isn't going to transform their health. However, it does contain naturally occurring compounds that have been studied for their potential anti-nausea, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

As with most ingredients, though, more isn't necessarily better.

Is ginger safe for dogs?

Plain ginger is generally considered safe for dogs when offered in small quantities.

You might see it listed in dog treats or recipes as:

• Fresh ginger root

• Ground ginger

• Ginger powder

• Dried ginger

The important word here is small.

Ginger has quite a strong flavour and giving a dog too much may actually cause the very problem you're trying to avoid: gastrointestinal upset.

Some dogs may experience diarrhoea, vomiting or stomach discomfort if they eat too much. VCA also lists mild gastrointestinal upset as a possible side effect of ginger.

So there's no need to start spooning ginger powder over every meal.

Can ginger help dogs with nausea?

This is probably the benefit ginger is best known for.

Ginger has traditionally been used to help manage acute nausea and vomiting, and there is some scientific evidence supporting an anti-nausea effect.

Interestingly, ginger has even been studied specifically in dogs. One study investigated ginger extracts in dogs experiencing vomiting caused by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin and found that some ginger extracts reduced vomiting, although they were less effective than the anti-nausea medication used for comparison.

That doesn't mean adding ginger to your dog's dinner is a treatment for unexplained vomiting.

But it does help explain why ginger is commonly associated with settling the stomach and why it sometimes appears in foods and treats designed with digestion in mind.

It may also be useful for dogs prone to motion sickness, although evidence is still limited and it shouldn't replace veterinary medication when this is required. VCA describes ginger as being used primarily as an anti-nausea and anti-vomiting supplement.

But don't automatically treat nausea with food

This is important.

If your dog suddenly starts:

• Vomiting repeatedly

• Refusing food

• Drooling excessively

• Lip licking or swallowing repeatedly

• Appearing painful

• Becoming lethargic

• Developing diarrhoea

• Losing weight

don't simply reach for ginger.

Nausea is a symptom, not a diagnosis.

Dogs can feel sick for hundreds of reasons, ranging from something they've eaten to gastrointestinal disease, pancreatitis, medication side effects, kidney disease or an intestinal obstruction.

Persistent or recurrent nausea needs veterinary investigation.

Does ginger help digestion?

Ginger is often described as being beneficial for digestion.

Some of its effects appear to relate to compounds called gingerols and shogaols, which are thought to influence gastrointestinal activity and pathways associated with nausea. Research in people suggests ginger may affect gastric motility as well as signalling involved in nausea and vomiting, although we have far less research available specifically in dogs.

That's an important distinction.

We shouldn't take every nutritional benefit demonstrated in humans and automatically assume exactly the same effect or dose applies to dogs.

Ginger can be a useful ingredient, but it isn't a cure for digestive disease.

Is ginger anti-inflammatory?

Ginger contains naturally occurring compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which is another reason you will sometimes see it included in supplements and functional foods.

You may see claims suggesting ginger can therefore treat arthritis or significant inflammatory conditions.

I'd be much more cautious with this.

Adding a little ginger to a dog's diet is very different from demonstrating that it provides a clinically meaningful treatment for pain or inflammation.

If your dog is experiencing joint pain, stiffness or mobility changes, speak to your vet rather than relying on food ingredients to manage pain.

This is a good example of the difference between an ingredient having an interesting nutritional property and that ingredient being a treatment.

They aren't the same thing.

Which dogs should avoid ginger?

Ginger isn't suitable for every dog.

VCA advises avoiding ginger in animals with known bleeding disorders and recommends caution in animals with gallbladder disease, as well as pregnant or nursing animals. Ginger may also interact with certain medications, including anticoagulants and some NSAIDs.

Speak to your vet before giving additional ginger if your dog:

• Has a bleeding or clotting disorder

• Takes blood-thinning medication

• Takes anti-inflammatory medication such as an NSAID

• Has gallbladder disease

• Is pregnant or nursing

• Has a significant medical condition

• Is undergoing medical treatment

• Is on a veterinary prescription diet

I'd also avoid randomly adding ginger during a food elimination trial.

If you're trying to identify whether your dog reacts to a particular ingredient, adding herbs, supplements, treats and extras simply creates more variables.

Keep an elimination diet boring. That's the point!

Can dogs eat gingerbread?

This is where we need to separate ginger from human gingerbread.

Ginger itself may be perfectly safe, but traditional gingerbread made for people isn't a suitable dog treat.

Depending on the recipe, gingerbread may contain ingredients such as:

• Large amounts of sugar

• Butter or other fats

• Chocolate

• Raisins

• Sweeteners

• Nutmeg

Some of these are simply unnecessary, while others can be dangerous for dogs. Nutmeg, for example, can be toxic in sufficiently large quantities.

So don't assume something is dog-friendly simply because ginger is safe.

Instead, choose a product specifically made for dogs.

Want a dog-friendly ginger treat?

If you'd like to give ginger a try without raiding the spice cupboard, there are some much easier options.

Soopa's Gingerbread Biscuit Healthy Bites contain ginger root powder alongside ingredients including cranberry and coconut oil. They're portion-controlled too, which makes it much easier than guessing how much ginger to sprinkle over a dog's dinner. Shop Soopa Gingerbread Biscuit Healthy Bites

There are also Gingerbread Biscuit Dental Sticks if your dog prefers something to chew. Shop Soopa Gingerbread Biscuit Dental Sticks

Or fancy getting the baking tray out?

Try Soopa's Pear & Ginger Soft Dog Cookies. They're made using pear, oats, unsweetened apple sauce and just a tiny pinch of ginger, making them a simple homemade option. Make Soopa's Pear & Ginger Soft Dog Cookies

How much ginger should dogs have?

I would start with a treat that contains it rather than adding amounts to your dogs food.

Adding ginger to a dog’s food would be advisable once steeped in water. Taek some fresh ginger root, grate a little into hot water, let sit till cooled, strain and add to your dog’s food. This is a more palatable way of adding ginger in rather than fresh on top of food or in powdered form.

Remember that treats and extras shouldn't start replacing significant portions of your dog's complete food. Their main diet should still provide the nutrients and calories they need in the correct balance.

And if you're considering ginger specifically because your dog is experiencing regular nausea, vomiting or digestive problems, that's the point where I'd stop experimenting with individual ingredients and speak to your vet.

So, can dogs have ginger?

Yes.

For most healthy dogs, small amounts of plain ginger can be safely included as part of a varied diet or dog-friendly treat.

Ginger has some interesting potential benefits, particularly when it comes to nausea and digestive comfort, and there is research supporting its anti-nausea properties.

But we don't need to turn every beneficial ingredient into a superfood.

Ginger isn't essential to your dog's diet, more isn't better, and it isn't a replacement for veterinary treatment.

A little ginger in an appropriately formulated dog treat?

Absolutely.

Half the contents of your spice jar because your dog has been vomiting all morning?

Definitely not.

When it comes to nutrition, it's nearly always the overall diet – not one individual ingredient – that matters most.

References and further reading

VCA Animal Hospitals – Ginger: veterinary information on uses, side effects, contraindications and medication interactions.

Sharma et al. – Antiemetic efficacy of ginger (Zingiber officinale) against cisplatin-induced emesis in dogs, Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

PetMD – Can Dogs Eat Ginger? Veterinary-reviewed overview of ginger safety for dogs.