
It’s always a good idea to spice up our meals.
Thyme is a popular herb in many cuisines. And since you have clicked on the article, you may have some thyme sitting in your pantry.
But the problem is…
Your dog wants some of it.
“Petya, is it okay if I feed them some thyme?”
Keep reading to find out:
- 5 benefits of thyme for your dog.
- Which vitamins and minerals it contains.
- 3 dangers your dog may experience when they consume thyme.
- And many, many, more.
Table of contents
Can dogs eat thyme?
Your dog can eat thyme, but only in small portions. It offers many health advantages. And this can be an excellent addition to your dog’s diet. But Spanish thyme can be toxic and cause health problems when digested by your pooch.
5 benefits of feeding thyme to your dog
#1:Thyme fights bad breath
No matter how much we love our dogs…
We can’t love them enough to deal with their smelly breaths.
And most dogs despise brushing their teeth.
“So, what do I do now?”
Giving your pets small amounts of thyme can provide them with a pleasing smell. This will help reduce odorous breath on a deeper level than the surface.
Isn’t this great news?
Now you won’t have to cover your nose every time they breathe on your face!
Because giving thyme on its own isn’t very tasty, it’s better to mix it with their food.
Add one teaspoon of fresh or dried thyme per pound of food. This will improve both their meals and breath.
#2: It helps with cough
Thyme helps with respiratory illnesses, like colds and flu.
They have flavonoids that relax the muscles in the throat. Flavonoids also help lessen the pain and swelling in the throat.
But you won’t need this instantly if you notice your dog coughing.
Like us, coughing is normal for dogs. So this isn’t something you should be very worried about at all.
“But when do I start being more concerned?”
Below are symptoms that may mean more severe health conditions:
- Diarrhea.
- Red eyes.
- Thick mucus.
- Loss of appetite.
- Non Stop coughing.
Warning: Call your vet immediately if the cough is severe or persists for more than a week.
This is what PetMD says that can make your dog cough:
- Obesity.
- Lungworm.
- Rat poison.
- Medication.
- Toxic gases.
- Blade of grass.
- Airborne irritants.
- Lung Lobe Torsion.
Curious to know more ways to stop your dog from coughing? Watch this:
#3: Thyme helps IBS and indigestion
Does your dog frequently show signs of diarrhea or constipation?
Do you see bloating in their stomachs?
Are they not eating as much as they used to?
If so, then they may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
This is when the muscles in your dog’s intestines don’t work properly. And this can be very painful for your pup.
Food that can trigger IBS in dogs include:
- Corn.
- Kibble.
- Grains.
- Gluten.
“So how can thyme help my dog with this?”
Thyme can relieve your dog’s stomach, IBS, and diarrhea.
Awesome, right?
Who knew this herb could do so much?
It can stop the production of too much mucus, bile, or stomach acid. So you can either add thyme leaf tea to your pooch’s water or sprinkle some thyme to their meal.
Aside from thyme, other foods that will improve pooch’s digestion include:
- Raw food.
- Probiotics.
- Prebiotics.
- Fermented food.
You may also be wondering: Why Does My Dog Fart So Much And Stink? 9 Reasons
#4: It is loaded with vitamins
“Petya, I take my daily dose of vitamins every day…
Should I give my dogs too?”
Vitamins are important for your pooch’s coat, teeth, bones, and energy levels.
Both animals and humans need the following vitamins:
- Choline.
- Vitamin A.
- Vitamin C.
- Vitamin D.
- Vitamin E.
- Vitamin K.
- B vitamins.
Most dogs get their needed vitamins from nutritious dog food. But for some, this is not enough.
Thyme is loaded with essential minerals and vitamins. It has a lot of vitamins and minerals that can keep your dog’s cells healthy and build their bones.
To be more specific, WebMD says that this herb contains:
- Thymol.
- Vitamin A.
- Vitamin C.
- Potassium.
- Magnesium.
All of which are great for your dog’s health.
#5: Thyme for itchy paws

A lot of factors cause your dog’s paws to itch. This includes grass and pollen.
But parasites and infections can also cause your dog irritation in this area.
If you observe discomfort from your dog in their paws, you should try applying Thyme Out for Pets.
Overall, a thyme tea or an oil infusion can be used as a skin rinse to help eliminate fungal or bacterial infections on the skin.
Here are other products you can use:
- Simply Organic Thyme Leaf.
- Organic Thyme Leaf Tea Bags.
- Buddha’s Herbs Premium Organic Thyme Leaf Tea.
Aside from helping with itchy paws, it can also relieve ringworm, dandruff, and more.
Wait…
Ringworms?
Yes, ringworms.
Thyme has an active component that can remove parasites such as hookworms.
It can also prevent the growth of fungal and bacterial infections.
Note: If your dog is always licking their paws, you should know what’s causing the itch and discomfort.
3 dangers of feeding thyme to your dog
“Petya, you told me all these good things about thyme…
and now you’re saying it’s dangerous?”
Well, no.
Not exactly.
To clear things out…
Only Spanish thyme is harmful.
Spanish thyme is a toxic type of thyme that can cause Spanish thyme poisoning in pets.
So, as long as you feed your pooch regular thyme in moderation, you will be fine.
#1: It contains a harmful plant chemical
Spanish thyme has a plant chemical called diterpene, found on the outer foliage of the herb. According to one study, diterpene is moderately hazardous to mammals if consumed.
Warning: Diterpene alkaloids can produce a serious neuromuscular block if not treated quickly.
Poisoning from this chemical may cause your dog to experience:
- Colic.
- Tremors.
- Diarrhea.
- Seizures.
- Stiffness.
- Constipation.
- Cardiac failure.
- Abdominal pain.
#2: The herb lowers blood pressure

In a study, rats with high blood pressure had their heart rate slowed down significantly when they had thyme extract.
“But wait. Isn’t this a good thing?”
Low blood pressure can make your dog feel the following:
- Fainting.
- Lethargy.
- Confusion.
- Weakness.
- White gums.
- Increased thirst.
110/60 to 160/90 should be the range for most dogs’ blood pressures. If you want to check this without visiting the vet, use the Contec08A Vet Veterinary Animal Use Blood Pressure Monitor.
Note: Low blood pressure can still happen to very fit and active dogs, like Border Collies and Siberian Huskies.
#3: Thyme irritates the skin
Spanish thyme has a sap that can be very bad for your pooch’s skin.
When you find your dog constantly scratching, here’s what you should do:
- Massage coconut oil.
- Use apple cider vinegar.
- Bathe your pooch in oatmeal grinds.
- Bathe your dog in chamomile and herbal tea.
- Give them plain yogurt (make sure it’s sugar-free too).
If your dog ate Spanish thyme and is not feeling well, you might need to bring a sample of the plant with you to the vet. They would need to do some tests to look for plant signs in your dog’s stomach.
How much thyme can dogs eat?
Baby steps.
If you really want to incorporate thyme into your dog’s diet, start with small amounts.
Your dog doesn’t require much thyme to benefit from it.
A pinch of dried thyme or a few fresh herb leaves can increase the flavor and health of your dog’s food.
How do I feed my dog thyme?
To give your dog thyme, sprinkle some fresh or dried on his favorite dry or wet food.
You can also add some to his homemade dog treats, like peanut butter.
For more creativity, you can try the following ideas:
- Mix it with their toothpaste.
- Add thyme to a banana smoothie.
- Add thyme when baking dog cookies.
Note: For your dog to stay healthy, choose thyme leaves without insecticides.
“But Petya, my dog eats the theme in my garden!”
The good news is, this is not something you should be concerned about.
Even if your dog eats the complete thyme plant from your garden, it is unlikely to cause harm.
But of course, you should still keep an eye on your pooch.
Just make sure they are not eating too much of it.
But did you know that a dog nibbling on thyme means more than them feeling hungry or bored?
This can signal that your dog is craving its vitamins and minerals.
From all the benefits we have discussed, it is no surprise that dogs show interest in this herb.
So you may be consuming more of it too.
There’s one more thing.
Warning: Remember that you should stay away from using thyme essential oil for your dog. Dogs are much more sensitive to smells than people are.
Essential oils for dogs
The higher the oil concentration, the more toxic it might be to pets.
Besides essential thyme oil, avoid exposing the following to your pet:
- Pine oil.
- Citrus oil.
- Tea tree oil.
- Cinnamon oil.
- Peppermint oil.
- Wintergreen oil.
But no matter what kind of essential oil it is, it can be bad for your lungs and airways if you breathe it in.
Warning: Pets can get chemical burns when they contact essential oils on their skin.