Which Herbs, Spices and Seasonings Are Safe for Dogs?
We’ve reviewed 12 herbs, spices and seasonings so far. 3 are OK only in small amounts. 4 are better skipped. 5 are toxic.
Reviewed by Dr. Adam Polosetski, DVM · 89 foods, each with its veterinary sources · updated Oct 20, 2026
Quick answers
Which spices and seasonings are safe for dogs?
OK only in small amounts: Cinnamon, Olive oil and Turmeric.
Which herbs, spices and seasonings should dogs avoid?
Toxic: Baking soda and baking powder, Garlic, Lavender, Nutmeg and Salt and salty foods. Better skipped: Apple cider vinegar, Black pepper and other seasonings, Cloves and Spicy food and chili peppers. If your dog ate something toxic, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away, even if she seems fine. Both answer 24/7. Don’t try to make her vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Which spices and seasonings are safe for dogs?
| Food | Can she eat it? | The short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Apple cider vinegar | Skip it | Better to skip it. Apple cider vinegar isn't toxic, but it often upsets dogs' stomachs, can irritate her skin and ears, and it doesn't kill fleas. |
| Baking soda and baking powder | Toxic | No, your dog should not eat baking soda or baking powder; Pet Poison Helpline lists baking soda as a cause of salt poisoning in pets. |
| Black pepper and other seasonings | Skip it | It's best to skip seasonings for your dog; plain food is safest, and many blends and seasoned salts contain onion or garlic powder, which are toxic. |
| Cinnamon | A little | A little, yes: a pinch of cinnamon is fine in homemade dog treats. |
| Cloves | Skip it | No, skip cloves; PetMD notes they can be dangerous to dogs, which is one reason pumpkin pie filling is out. |
| Garlic | Toxic | No, dogs can't eat garlic; it's toxic to them in every form, fresh, cooked, dried or powdered, and the only safe amount is none. |
| Lavender | Toxic | No. The ASPCA lists lavender as toxic to dogs: linalool and linalyl acetate can cause nausea and vomiting, and concentrated lavender oil is riskier still. |
| Nutmeg | Toxic | No, dogs shouldn't have nutmeg; its toxin, myristicin, can cause poisoning at as little as a teaspoon of the ground spice. |
| Olive oil | A little | Yes, in small amounts. Plain olive oil isn't toxic to dogs, but it's pure fat, so too much can cause diarrhea, weight gain or pancreatitis. |
| Salt and salty foods | Toxic | A chip or two won't hurt her, but a big dose of salt, like salt dough, play dough, rock salt or table salt, can cause dangerous salt poisoning. |
| Spicy food and chili peppers | Skip it | No. Hot peppers and spicy foods can give her a painful burning feeling in her throat and stomach, and many spicy dishes also contain onion or garlic, which are toxic to dogs. |
| Turmeric | A little | A little is fine for most dogs. Turmeric isn't toxic, but it can upset her stomach, and high doses may thin the blood, so check with your vet first. |
