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Plantaeris for dogs

Natural Relief for Diarrhea and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

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Is Ginger Good For Dogs and Cats?

Herbs For Pets 4 min read
Ginger rhizome, powder, and leaves on a wooden table top. Is ginger good for dogs and cats?

Ginger is a common herb all over the world. It is a popular ingredient in cooking across the globe for its spice and flavor. It is also popularly used as a herbal remedy for various issues. Since this ingredient is a staple in most homes, you may be wondering, “is ginger good for dogs and cats?” Keep reading to find out!

What is Ginger?

There are multiple types of ginger, but the most popular one is called Zingiber officinale. This is the type we will be discussing throughout this blog.

Ginger is a perennial plant with long, narrow leaves and stalks that grow up to 2 feet tall. It grows well in tropical climates with fertile soil and plenty of rain. Ginger plants also produce white or yellow flowers. The rhizome is the part of the plant that we commonly recognize as ginger. While you may see ginger labeled as “ginger root” at the grocery store, it is the rhizome and not the root. Rhizomes are stems that grow horizontally under the ground, and the roots and shoots are smaller and grow from the rhizomes. The rhizomes contain high levels of active ingredients that contribute to ginger’s flavor and medicinal properties, which is why you don’t often see other parts of the plant being used. Ginger is closely related to turmeric, another plant that is popularly used for the medicinal properties found in the rhizome.

Harvested ginger plants, showing the leaves, stalks, rhizomes, and roots. Is ginger good for dogs and cats?

History and Traditional Use of Ginger

Ginger has been used throughout history in Asia and Europe. Ginger is a well-researched herb since it has been a staple in cooking and medicine for centuries. Traditionally, ginger has been predominantly used to aid humans’ digestive and circulatory systems.

Medicinal Properties of Ginger

Ginger can be especially useful for the gastrointestinal, circulatory, and respiratory systems.

Ginger is commonly used for nausea, but it is helpful for many other health concerns. Ginger is known to have the following properties:

  • antiemetic (anti-nausea)
  • carminative (helps relieve gas and discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract)
  • circulatory stimulant
  • anti-inflammatory
  • antiseptic
  • expectorant (helps expel phlegm from the lungs)
  • cough inhibiting

Due to these properties, ginger can be especially useful for the gastrointestinal, circulatory, and respiratory systems. Ginger can be used for issues like indigestion, gas, colic, gastrointestinal infections, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea for gastrointestinal health. Ginger is also used for aiding circulation due to its stimulating properties. You may find ginger used for its respiratory support since it can help loosen phlegm in the lungs, helps fight infections, and helps reduce coughing.

The benefits of ginger come from the active ingredients; zingiberene, gingerol, and shogaols. Zingiberene is the active ingredient with the highest concentration in ginger and is credited for giving ginger its flavor and many of its medicinal properties.

Image of 2 NHV amber glass bottles with rosemary sprig, piece of ginger and shiitake mushroom

Is Ginger Good For Dogs and Cats?

When used at the right dosage for their size, ginger is safe for supporting most pets. Ginger should not be given to pets who are pregnant or are lactating. In excessive doses, ginger can interfere with other therapies and medications. That’s why it is important to use ginger only at a dosage confirmed by a holistic veterinarian.

How To Use Ginger Safely for Pets

At NHV, all of our supplements are formulated by a veterinarian and master herbalist to ensure that they are safe for your pet. The dosage is calculated to not interfere with other medications and therapies and be safely increased for pets needing extra support. We recommend administering all NHV supplements 2 hours (or at least 30 minutes) before or after other medications or supplements to ensure that all of your pet’s support has time to be properly absorbed.

We use ginger in six of our herbal supplement blends for a variety of its benefits:

Alge-Ex is our supplement for pets with environmental allergies and can help with symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes and face, and irritated skin. Ginger is included in this formula to support the respiratory system.

Hairb-Ez is a great addition for pets prone to hairballs. It contains herbs like ginger that promote gastrointestinal health to help hairballs safely move through the GI tract.

Maris is formulated specifically to help ease constipation in our furry friends. Ginger and other herbs in the blend support healthy gastrointestinal function, help ease inflammation in the digestive tract, and encourage softer stools.

Old Timer is great support for pets with arthritis and muscle and joint issues. Ginger is included in the formula to help with inflammation and discomfort in the joints.

Plantaeris is for helping pets with diarrhea. The blend of herbs helps ease the spasms in the digestive tract that cause diarrhea and promote the overall health of the gastrointestinal tract.

Resp-Aid utilizes ginger for its respiratory benefits. Resp-Aid is our main supplement to help with disorders like asthma, collapsed trachea, and respiratory infections. Ginger contributes to this formula to help reduce coughing, help with congestion, and fight infections.


If you have any questions about using ginger for your pet, get in touch with our pet experts! We’re here to help answer your pet health questions and guide you on naturally supporting your little one. Click the button below to get started.

NHV Pet Experts

NHV Pet Experts

We have a dedicated group of pet expert professionals, including veterinarians, vet techs, and other pet professionals to guide you through any questions. We’re committed to your pet’s wellness and can offer additional tips, resources, nutritional advice, and more.

Published: March 10, 2022

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