Can Dogs Eat Mint Leaves? All You Need To Know About Mint For Dogs!

Mentha (genus) belongs to the family of Lamiaceae, also known as the sage or deadnettle family.

More than 20 species of the mint plant of the family Lamiaceae exist. This genus of mint plants has been cultivated and hybridized commonly. The mint plant is widely distributed as well.

The regions of North America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia have been known to cultivate the mint plant. The mint plant thrives in moist soils and wet climatic conditions.

Mint plants also grow in areas that are surrounded by water sources like lakes, rivers, and small to medium water bodies. Mint plants can grow in full and partial sunlight; the plant is easy-going!

Mint has been used in traditional medicines, veterinary medicines, the fragrance and cosmetics industry, and culinary practices for many years now. Mint also protects crop plants and is widely used in agriculture as an antibacterial agent as well.

As much as mint is beneficial to humans, can we say the same for our fur buddies? We are going to solve that conundrum!

Can my dog eat fresh mint leaves?

The word mint came from the Latin word, Mentha. In Greek, it is called Minthe, and in Sanskrit, it is called Mantha. Mint is considered an ancient and venerated herb. Let's discover which type of mint leaves can your canine kid consume!

Mint, the perennial herb, has multiple species. It is not just a single aromatic herb but has many different members. Some of them can be safely consumed by your dogs, and some of them can pose a toxic problem to your dogs.

It is safe for dogs to eat fresh mint leaves, but it should be limited to one or two leaves per day. The identification of the mint species is the most important step before feeding your darling pup!

The most common species of mint consumed by dogs are peppermint and spearmint. It is also used quite habitually and is not toxic to dogs when given in small quantities.

When feeding your pet mint leaves, every pet lover should remember certain things. The dog's adaptability to mint depends on various factors.

We all are aware that dogs have different physiology than humans. Every breed will react uniquely to the flavor of mint leaves.

Mint leaves offer multiple benefits to our dogs but should be given in moderate quantity and less frequently. Consuming too much mint can result in an upset stomach and gastrointestinal problems for your dog.

How much mint can kill a dog?

Mint leaves are not lethal to dogs if consumed occasionally and in moderate quantities. The English pennyroyal is the one species of mint that every dog owner should be aware of. So let's learn all about it!

Mentha Pulegium is also known as English pennyroyal, pennyrile, pudding grass, and mosquito plant. This mint species contain certain substances that can be fatal to your dog's health.

English pennyroyal is poisonous to dogs. It is also toxic and deadly to humans if the concentration and volume are high. This plant contains the molecule pulegone.

Pulegone is an organic compound that occurs naturally. It is one of the reasons why this particular species is toxic to dogs.

Mint in general, should be given rarely to dogs even though it is safe for dogs. If your fur buddy has consumed mint in large quantities and is showing symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, and is not behaving as usual, it is always better to see a vet.

Dogs are innately intelligent and loyal beings. They are intrinsically selective when they eat anything plant-related.

Always make sure that English pennyroyal is not around your area. This plant is a killer when it comes to our pets. It is deadly to a dog's health, and if your dog has consumed it, you should take your dog to the vet immediately.

Dog treats that contain mint should not be given to pets as well. They often contain artificial sugar, which is not healthy for dogs at all. The peppermint treats contain a substance called xylitol (a sugar-like substance), which is toxic to dogs.

Xylitol has a beneficial effect on humans as a sugar substitute, but we cannot say the same for our fur buddies. Xylitol is strictly prohibited for dogs as it can lead to liver failure and hypoglycemia. Even a small amount of it can be fatal, so it is better to keep it far, far away from dogs!

It is advisable for pet parents to regularly brush their pets' teeth with pup-safe toothpaste in order to avoid bad breath.

(If your pup is a mint munchy, make sure the area or the garden around them is safe!)

Can you put mint in dog's water?

There are various ways available by which you can give mint to your dogs. There are many benefits of mint as well, but as pet parents, you must consult the vet before introducing mint to your dog's diet.

Sometimes dogs will not eat mint, so if the dog rejects the leaves, it is always better to stop giving it right away. Some dogs are partial to eating mint as well.

As you now know, excess intake of mint can be bad for our dogs as it can lead to upset stomach and gastrointestinal issues.

As pet parents, it is natural that you worry about your dog's breath and its oral microbiome. So to improve the dog's breath, you can add a little bit of mint-infused water to your mate's water bowl.

The mint-infused water will not only improve their bad breath (which is truly not their fault!), but it will also offer them several health benefits and an aromatized refreshing taste.

The nutritional benefits of mint are multiple as they are a good source of vitamins, such as vitamin C and A. These vitamins are majorly responsible for improving immunity, skin, the health of your bones, and vision.

The other nutritional benefit is that mint contains multiple minerals. Some of the minerals are zinc, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper, and phosphorous. These minerals and vitamins make mint a natural powerhouse.

Another essential component of mint is rosmarinic acid. This particularly helps against fighting allergies (seasonal). If given in the right quantity, time, and way, mint can enhance your pup's overall health.

The mint leaves can also help your dogs if they are suffering from nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, and respiratory issues.

Is peppermint smell bad for dogs?

As we know that our olfactory senses are vastly different than our fur buddies. Dogs are a ninja when it comes to sniffing. They have around 300 million receptors situated in their nose, which makes their olfactory modality 40 times higher than humans.

We know that dogs can eat mint (spearmint and peppermint), and it is safe for them as long as they are occasionally eating it, and that too in moderate quantity. However, peppermint oil can overwhelm their senses.

When dogs eat mint, it goes through their digestive process as their body breaks the substances down. It is different when they smell the strong aromatic scent of peppermint, which can pose a health risk.

While the dogs eat peppermint leaves without any significant danger but the same cannot be said for the oil, as it comes in concentrated form and is toxic for dogs.

The doggy treats, which often contain mint and other added sugar, must be avoided. When making homemade treats for dogs, it is advised that you use fresh mint leaves instead of oil; this oil extracted is not safe for dogs.

The oil is often used in vet medicines to fend off ticks and fleas in dogs. If the oil is accidentally consumed by dogs, it can lead to stomach issues, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Even though mint is safe for dogs, it is better to keep anything mint-related out of your pet's reach. These kids are naturally curious and can be sneaky, so it is better to hide them out of their possible reach!