Sage is a herb from the mint family and a common garden plant. It is an excellent garnish for many dishes, giving them a delicious aroma. Besides using it in the kitchen, you may burn it for its scent, which is ideal for aromatherapy.
If you have a dog, you may want to know whether sage is safe for it. This is an understandable concern as you do not want to endanger your furry friend. In this piece, we will exhaustively look at the dog and sage subject to quench your curiosity.
Can Dogs Eat Sage?
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) lists sage among the herbs and spices friendly to dogs. Besides being safe, sage has several benefits for your pooch.
Benefits of Sage to Dogs
The following are some of the pros of dogs having sage.
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Nutrition
Sage is rich in various nutrients. It has little protein, essential for tissue growth, repair, and hormonal function. Puppies should have sufficient protein serving to promote their growth.
This herb will give your dog carbohydrates for its energy needs. An impressive thing with sage is its low carb levels, meaning you do not have to worry about conditions like obesity.
Fiber is another nutrient that your dog needs for its health. It is responsible for a healthy gut and promotes food movement, preventing constipation and diarrhea. Also, fiber promotes the growth of healthy gut bacteria that have plenty of functions.
Sage is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A, E, and K ensure a stable immune system. Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc are the essential minerals in this garden herb. Your dog needs the minerals for healthy bones and teeth, muscle function, and catalyzing several biochemical processes in the body.
2. Remedy for Gastrointestinal Upsets
Sage comes in handy when dealing with tummy upsets and infections. The leaves can relieve bloating, making it easy to release trapped gas. Its antimicrobial properties aid in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections.
3. An Antioxidant
Dogs, like humans, can suffer from cellular oxidative stress brought by free-roaming radicals. This stress can lead to cancer and aging-related conditions like hair loss. Sage is an antioxidant and will prevent these ailments.
4. Anti-Inflammatory
Dogs can suffer from various inflammations, like arthritis. Sage’s anti-inflammatory effects will offer relief against such inflammations.
Moreover, it will calm the symptoms of allergies, courtesy of rosmarinic acid. This substance also alleviates stress and improves brain function.
Feeding Sage to Dogs
Giving sage to dogs is easy. You can mix the leaves with its food or add sage to bone broth for your dog to sip. Optionally, you can bake sage into doggy treats.
For topical application, you boil the leaves and use the water on the affected areas.
Have breaks between your dog’s serving of sage as too much can be troublesome. Serving food with sage three days a week for your dog is okay.
Is Smoking Sage Harmful to Dogs?
You may want to burn sage for its satisfying aroma, which can relieve stress, anxiety, and menstrual pain. While sage is safe for dogs, smoke from any source can be problematic. The situation can be worse if your dog has respiratory problems.
For your dog’s safety, you can let it outside to keep it away from the smoke. In addition, aerate your space by opening windows and other air inlets.
Some dogs may have no problem with the smoke. Nevertheless, watch out for signs like coughing, vomiting, choking, or drowsiness. It means your furry friend can no longer tolerate the smoke levels. The logical move is to avoid burning sage in your dog’s presence, lest you damage its sense of smell.
Side Effects of Sage on Dogs
Dogs rarely react to sage, but it may happen. Putting too much of this herb on your dog’s food might repel it due to its pungency. Your canine might start sneezing, coughing, or tearing up.
Additionally, sage contains thujone, which can be dangerous in large doses and can damage the liver, kidney, and nervous system. Symptoms of thujone toxicity in dogs include seizures, tremors, nose bleeding, diarrhea, and vomiting. Consult your vet if you suspect sage as the cause of a reaction.
Final Thought
Your dog can munch on food garnished with sage and benefit from it. We learn that this herb has several pros, from having several nutrients and being an antioxidant to boasting anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.
You can mix fresh or dry leaves into your doggo’s food. Do not overdo the serving because too much of this herb can make the food uneatable. Furthermore, sage on dog food should not be an everyday thing. Thrice a week at most is okay: past that, you are exposing your furry friend to thujone toxicity.