Can Dogs Eat Cilantro? Is It Safe?

Cilantro is a pretty plant. It’s a juicy, sweet leafy herb. Cilantro is a cousin of parsley plants. Coriander as an intense, grassy scent, people either love it or hate it. It smells like the great outdoors and it often accompanies other delicious foods.

Humans often add it to Mexican and Thai dishes. We serve cilantro with chicken, peanut sauce, or tacos. These are some reasons why your dog is going to be interested in eating cilantro.

Here are the 5 things you should know before you give cilantro to your doggo.

Cilantro Is Safe, Even Healthy For Your Dog

Go ahead and feed your dog cilantro. The ASPCA says cilantro is not toxic to pets. Most herbs and spicy additives are bad for your dog. It’s nice to give a low-worry treat.

This herb can be beneficial in many ways. Cilantro has Vitamins A and C, which are great for your dog’s immune system. It has potassium and magnesium that are gentle on stomachs and intestines.

Cilantro As A Whole Food Is Good To Feed Our Dog

The tender leaves of cilantro are best for your dog. You can buy any herb dried, but avoid feeding processed foods to your dog as treats.

We call the seeds of cilantro coriander, which can we buy whole or powdered. The seeds are small and dangerous to teeth. They have a much stronger flavor that could be upsetting to your pup. Stick to fresh cilantro to feed your dog.

Stick To Small Servings For Your Pup

Think of cilantro the same way you’d think of grass. If your dog nibbled a little bit, you wouldn’t worry. When a dog eats lots of grass there is usually one result. Too much grass will make your dog vomit. Too much cilantro might do the same.

A little cilantro will go a long way as a treat. The taste is big enough to mix into other dishes. One or two leaves as a reward is good for you, too. Cilantro has anti-bacterial properties and a sweet taste. This combo can freshen up that puppy breath for a while. That’s always a bonus!

Know The Ways Cilantro Can Be Dangerous

Too much of anything can ruin a good thing. Remember these warnings when you give cilantro to your dog.

• Eating too much cilantro, or eating it too fast can cause vomiting.
• Cilantro is often served with ingredients that are toxic to dogs, like avocado and garlic.
• The bright flavors of cilantro tame spicy chilies or fried meats, which are unhealthy for your pup.
• Cilantro’s long stems can be a choking hazard. Trim them away.
• Beware aware of signs your dog might be allergic.

Introduce New Treats As Ingredients In A Recipe

The benefits of cilantro are too good to pass up. Here are three easy recipes that incorporate small amounts to your dog’s diet. Mix one of these dishes up today and enjoy giving cilantro to your pup.

Easy Steamed Treats – Steam one cubed sweet potato and then toss it with ½ tablespoon of finely chopped cilantro.

Gentle Meatballs – In your food processor, combine 1 cooked chicken breast, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, and ½ tablespoon of chopped cilantro. Grind the mixture to a fine meal and form snack-sized balls. If it doesn’t stick well, add a little more peanut butter.

Chewy Chicken Strips – Slice a baked chicken breast into ¼ inch strips. Place them in a bowl with 2 teaspoons of chopped cilantro leaves and 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of honey over the chicken and toss the whole mixture together. Keep the chicken in a covered bowl in the fridge.

All of these recipes will keep in the fridge for up to three days.