3 Herbs You Can Share With Your Dog

If your dog follows you into the garden, sniffs every herb you bring inside, or believes anything you’re eating should technically belong to them too, this one’s for you.

We grow herbs because they make summer taste better. A handful of something fresh can transform dinner, a cocktail, or a simple glass of water.

But there are also a few herbs growing in your summer garden that can be shared—in small amounts—with your four-legged garden assistant.

Here are three of our favorites.

1. Basil

Good news for the dog who has been eyeing your basil garden: basil is considered non-toxic to dogs and actually contains some antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, so a little sprinkled on their food now and then isn’t a problem.

A few notes:

• Keep portions small. A leaf or two chopped up is plenty — it’s meant to be a treat or garnish, not a meal component.
• Fresh, plain basil only. Skip anything cooked in butter, oil, garlic, or onion (garlic and onion are toxic to dogs), and avoid basil-heavy dishes like pesto, which usually contain garlic, cheese, and lots of oil.
• Introduce gradually. As with any new food, start with a small amount and watch for any stomach upset.

Overall it’s one of the more dog-friendly herbs — no major red flags like you’d see with something such as onion, chives, or grapes.

A small amount of fresh basil can be chopped and sprinkled over your dog’s regular food for a little garden-fresh variety.

Just keep it simple. We’re talking about fresh, plain basil—not pesto, sauces, or prepared foods that may contain garlic, onion, excess salt, or other ingredients your dog shouldn’t have.

2. Rosemary

Fresh rosemary has a strong flavor, so a tiny amount is plenty. Finely chop a few leaves and add a small sprinkle to your dog’s usual food. It’s actually a common ingredient in some commercial dog foods.

A few things to keep in mind:

Avoid rosemary essential oil for dogs — that’s a different concentration issue entirely and not the same as the fresh herb.

Moderation matters. Like most herbs, it’s best given as a small addition, not a big serving. Too much of any new food can upset a dog’s stomach.

Whole sprigs/woody stems can be a choking hazard or hard to digest, especially for small dogs — chopping it finely is safer if you’re adding it to their food.

Watch for individual sensitivity. Some dogs with sensitive stomachs or a history of seizures should have it in very limited amounts, since concentrated rosemary oil (not the fresh herb itself) has occasionally been linked to triggering seizures in dogs already prone to them — this is more of a concern with rosemary extract/oil than fresh sprigs, but worth knowing.

And yes, your dog will probably still prefer whatever is on your plate.

3. Thyme

Another summer garden favorite that gets the canine green light: thyme. It’s non-toxic and is actually another herb sometimes found in commercial dog foods — it even has mild antimicrobial properties.

A few pointers:

Watch for stomach upset, especially the first time, as with any new food.

Small amounts only. A pinch of chopped fresh thyme mixed into food is plenty; it’s not meant to be a significant part of a meal.

Fresh or dried plain thyme is fine — just avoid thyme prepared with garlic, onion, excess salt, or oils, since those additions are the real risk factors, not the herb itself.

Common thyme is considered non-toxic to dogs and can be offered in small amounts. Strip a few fresh leaves from the stem, chop them finely, and sprinkle a little over your dog’s food.

It’s one more reason we love growing herbs: sometimes the garden really is for everyone in the family.

A Little Goes a Long Way

When sharing anything new with your dog, start small.

Fresh herbs should be an occasional addition to your dog’s normal diet—not a replacement for balanced dog food or veterinary care. Every dog is different, so if your dog has a medical condition, takes medication, has dietary restrictions, or has a particularly sensitive stomach, check with your veterinarian first.

And while some herbs are dog-friendly, not everything growing in the garden is. Before sharing a plant or herb with your pet, always make sure you know exactly what it is and whether it’s considered safe.

The Garden Is Better With a Sidekick

One of our favorite things about gardening is that everyone seems to find their way into it.

Kids pick tomatoes.

Friends gather around the herbs.

And dogs somehow manage to claim the best sunny spot before anyone else gets there.

So the next time you’re snipping a little basil, rosemary, or thyme from the garden, you may have someone waiting patiently at your feet.

And Because Every Good Garden Party Needs a Cocktail…

We couldn’t possibly mix something garden-fresh for ourselves and leave our four-legged friends out of the fun.

Meet the Puptini—our dog-friendly take on cocktail hour, made especially for the garden companion who has been supervising all that planting, watering, and harvesting.

Make a Puptini for Your Pup →
Bone broth (no garlic, salt, or onion)

Cucumber

Ice

Fancy Glass

Because cocktail hour is better when everyone gets invited.

Turns out, your summer herb garden might have a four-legged fan.