Can dogs eat ginger?
✓ Reviewed against PDSA, Blue Cross & Animal PoisonLine guidance · Last updated: 2026-06-17
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The full picture
Ginger is one of the few spices that's genuinely safe and mildly beneficial for dogs. It has anti-nausea properties (often recommended for car-sick dogs) and mild anti-inflammatory effects. A small pinch of fresh grated ginger or dried ginger mixed into food is safe. What's not safe: ginger biscuits (usually contain raisins and spices), crystallised ginger (too much sugar), ginger beer/ale (carbonation and sugar), and anything with 'ginger spice' blends that include nutmeg or cloves.
Check individual ingredient safety at 247IngredientsCheck.
Risks to watch for
- GI upset in large amounts
- Shouldn't be given to dogs on blood-thinning medication
- Ginger-based products often have toxic additions
Potential benefits
- Anti-nausea (helpful for car sickness)
- Mild anti-inflammatory
- May soothe upset stomachs
Safe portion size
A pinch (⅛ tsp for small, up to ½ tsp for large) occasionally.
Does size or breed matter?
Risk with ginger scales with the quantity relative to body weight, so small and toy breeds reach a meaningful dose from a much smaller amount than large dogs. Always check for hidden risk ingredients (garlic, onion, xylitol, excess salt) in any prepared or shop-bought version rather than assuming the plain ingredient name on the label tells the whole story.