Can dogs eat Dill?
Yes - in moderation
Yes - fresh dill is safe for dogs in small amounts and is sometimes used for breath and mild digestive upset. Pickles and dill sauces are not.
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What happens
Dill is not toxic to dogs. The fronds contain antioxidants and small amounts of vitamins A and C, and it has a traditional reputation for settling wind and freshening breath, which is why it appears in some dog treats. At the quantities a dog would ever eat, it is a harmless seasoning. The practical warnings are about the products dill usually arrives in: dill pickles are soaked in vinegar and a great deal of salt, and dill sauces are typically built on cream, lemon and sometimes onion or garlic. Dill seed is also fine in culinary amounts. As with every herb, a large quantity irritates the stomach, and dill is strongly flavoured enough that most dogs will not want much anyway.
How much is safe?
A pinch of chopped fresh dill for a small dog, up to a teaspoon for a large one, occasionally.
How to prepare it
Fresh fronds, washed and finely chopped, stirred through plain food. A pinch of dried is fine too. Never pickles, never a creamy dill sauce.
Symptoms to watch for
Usually nothing. A lot may cause mild vomiting or loose stools. Pickles cause thirst and stomach upset from the salt and vinegar.
When to call the vet
Rarely necessary - only if a large amount of pickle or sauce has been eaten and your dog is vomiting repeatedly or drinking excessively.
Can dogs eat these?
Common questions
Can dogs eat dill pickles?
No. Pickles are heavily salted and soaked in vinegar, both of which upset a dog's stomach, and some brines contain garlic. Fresh dill is the only version worth sharing.
Does dill help with a dog's wind?
It has a traditional reputation for settling gas and is used in some breath treats. The effect is mild at best - persistent wind usually points to the diet itself rather than a missing herb.
Is dill seed safe for dogs?
Yes, in culinary amounts dill seed is not toxic. As always, check that any spice blend containing it does not also contain onion or garlic powder.
Looking for a food to feed instead? browse the directory or read the guides.
This is label analysis, not veterinary advice - if your dog has a health condition, talk to your vet before switching foods.