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Last Updated on June 30, 2023 by Thee Puppypreneur
CAN DOGS HAVE PEPPERMINT?
Peppermint or (Mentha x piperita) is a plant related to the mint family or Lamiaceae family. One of the active constituents of peppermint is actually menthol.1Peppermint. (2022). In Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Peppermint – PubMed (nih.gov)
Now you might have heard that menthol can be toxic to dogs, and this is true, BUT it is largely dose dependent. However, there is mint species called Pennyroyal that is actually toxic to humans and dogs in any dose, so be sure not to get them confused.
So can dogs eat peppermint? Why YES! I have given peppermint to my furbabies mixed with their food for various benefits. In fact, you can find one such food that uses it here
which allows you to take control of your dog’s protein and fat source and then add this special organic mix to their food.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PEPPERMINT FOR DOGS
DIGESTIVE ISSUES
Can dogs eat peppermint? Well mine do and I use a mix of herbs with peppermint for dogs to soothe their upset stomachs or gas.
In one such study where there was a mix of herbs such as peppermint oil and aloe vera just to name a few, that were taken for 4 weeks and there was a significant decrease in GI symptoms of about 60-80% of people had less gas, heartburn, abdominal pain, and nausea.2Ried, K., Travica, N., Dorairaj, R., & Sali, A. (2020). Herbal formula improves upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms and gut health in Australian adults with digestive disorders. Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.), 76, 37–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2020.02.008
Did you know that peppermint is capable of relaxing the smooth muscles in the intestines and has shown promise in cases of irritable bowel syndrome.3Chumpitazi, B. P., Kearns, G. L., & Shulman, R. J. (2018). Review article: the physiological effects and safety of peppermint oil and its efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 47(6), 738–752. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14519
I use the powdered herb
Amazon.com: Peppermint Leaf Powder Organic – 4 Oz,(Starwest Botanicals) : Grocery & Gourmet Food
and either sprinkle about ¼ teaspoon in with her food or I make a tea with the loose leaf herb
to soothe the stomach4McKay, D. L., & Blumberg, J. B. (2006). A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). Phytotherapy research : PTR, 20(8), 619–633. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1936 in which I take roughly 5 grams or less of the dried herb per 8oz of water and let it simmer for 15 minutes making an infusion and straining out the herb and only using the remaining liquid.
Then I separate it into little doses throughout the day with all her meals (I feed 10 meals a day) averaging about 1 to 2 cups of peppermint tea and this is for an 80-pound dog.
BUG REPELLANT
Peppermint oil has been deemed effective as a mosquito and tick repellant5Narasimman, M., Natesan, V., Mayakrishnan, V., Rajendran, J., Venkatesan, A., & Kim, S. J. (2022). Preparation and Optimization of Peppermint (Mentha pipertia) Essential Oil Nanoemulsion with Effective Herbal Larvicidal, Pupicidal, and Ovicidal Activity against Anopheles stephensi. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology, 23(11), 1367–1376. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201023666211215125621 6Štefanidesová, K., Škultéty, Ľ., Sparagano, O. A. E., & Špitalská, E. (2017). The repellent efficacy of eleven essential oils against adult Dermacentor reticulatus ticks. Ticks and tick-borne diseases, 8(5), 780–786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.06.003 when combined with other essential oils can prove to be even more efficacious. In fact, one of my favorite flea, tick and mosquito repellants is
This smells great but you have to be diligent and apply this every couple of days to maintain efficacy.
If you are looking for a no muss and no fuss alternative and all-natural solution to critter control, then
and it lasts up to 4 months which means no spraying every other day.
ANTI-PARASITIC
Peppermint oil appears to be effective at treating various kind of parasitic worms. When compared to albendazole, the essential oils of peppermint did not cause gastric lesions in rats and thus was a more effective anti-parasitic.7Romero, M. C., Navarro, M. C., Martín-Sánchez, J., & Valero, A. (2014). Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and albendazole against anisakiasis in an animal model. Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH, 19(12), 1430–1436. https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.12399
ANTIBACTERIAL
Peppermint essential oil
Amazon.com: doTERRA Peppermint Essential Oil – 15ml : Health & Household
has been shown to be beneficial towards wound healing.8Unalan, I., Slavik, B., Buettner, A., Goldmann, W. H., Frank, G., & Boccaccini, A. R. (2019). Physical and Antibacterial Properties of Peppermint Essential Oil Loaded Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) Electrospun Fiber Mats for Wound Healing. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 7, 346. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00346
Peppermint also showed activity against 11 types of fungi and 22 different strains of bacteria.9Pattnaik, S., Subramanyam, V. R., & Kole, C. (1996). Antibacterial and antifungal activity of ten essential oils in vitro. Microbios, 86(349), 237–246. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of ten essential oils in vitro — Macquarie University (mq.edu.au)
In one such study it showed strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.10Unalan, I., Slavik, B., Buettner, A., Goldmann, W. H., Frank, G., & Boccaccini, A. R. (2019). Physical and Antibacterial Properties of Peppermint Essential Oil Loaded Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) Electrospun Fiber Mats for Wound Healing. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 7, 346. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00346 11Li J, Dong J, Qiu JZ, Wang JF, Luo MJ, Li HE, Leng BF, Ren WZ, Deng XM. Peppermint oil decreases the production of virulence-associated exoproteins by Staphylococcus aureus. Molecules. 2011 Feb 15;16(2):1642-54. doi: 10.3390/molecules16021642. PMID: 21326141; PMCID: PMC6259925. (PDF) Peppermint Oil Decreases the Production of Virulence-Associated Exoproteins by Staphylococcus aureus (researchgate.net)
Dogs that suffer from a type of dermatitis called staph pyoderma could potentially benefit from peppermint essential oil. It is a “hot oil” so it can have a burning or warming sensation if applied alone. So, it has to be diluted before applying to the skin in a carrier oil such as olive oil.
CAUTION
There are mixed emotions on whether those with severe liver issues or gallbladder concerns should stay away from peppermint for dogs, but certain research has concluded that peppermint could actually stimulate bile flow.12Peppermint: More than a Feel-Good Aroma – Gallbladder Attack If your furbaby is taking other medications or herbs you should be cautious of peppermint for dogs as well. Always be sure to discuss your options with your veterinarian, first before starting anything new.
Check out our other articles for more information on other herbs such as;
