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Hello and Welcome to My World!  Do you ever wonder which herbs are good for your pets? I’ve posted about what is harmful to our pets so it is now time to tell you about what is good for them.   Well, here you go. Read on and find out for yourself…

12 Herbs to Grow for Your Pets

Herbs should hold a valued place in your kitchen and medicine cabinet.

They add a delicious depth to your food and help benefit your health in a variety of ways.

It’s no different for your pets. They can also enjoy the unique flavors and health benefits of herbs. The next time you plant a pot of herbs on your window sill or a bed in your garden, remember your four legged family members.

The following are some easy to grow herbs that are all safe for your pets to eat. Most are very nutritious in addition to their health boosting properties.

Always check with your veterinarian before giving your pet any herbs, especially supplements. Some herbs can have negative interactions with medications your pet may already be taking. Also, certain herbs can be harmful during pregnancy, so let your vet know if your pet is expecting.

1. ALFALFA (Medicago sativa)

A common crop grown for your livestock, alfalfa is also great for your

household pets. It’s rich in many vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A, B12, C, and E. It has antioxidant properties that can reduce pain and swelling in conditions like arthritis in your pets.

2. BURDOCK (Arctium lappa)

You might find wild burdock growing naturally in your yard. If not, seeds

are also available at most garden centers or online. The mature roots are beneficial for your pets and yourself, either cooked or raw. They’re nutritious and can stimulate your’s or your pet’s liver and gallbladder functions. They can also be used as a diuretic or laxative.

3. CATNIP (Nepeta cataria)

Catnip is not just for your cats. It’s high in nutrients and

contains beneficial oils such as neroli, citronellol, nepetalactone, and thymol. It has a mild tranquilizing effect on most animals, which makes it excellent for combating nervousness and insomnia. Catnip can also help relieve flatulence, diarrhea, and indigestion, as well as ease early symptoms of colds and flu. Try putting some fresh leaves in your pet’s water or a small dash of the dried herb on their food. (Mine go crazy when they eat catnip, but they love it!)

4. CHAMOMILE (Matricaria recutita)

Similar to humans, this herb can help alleviate anxiety, hyperactivity, and

insomnia in your pets (I never knew a cat with insomnia :)). Chamomile tea is good for settling indigestion and vomiting as well. And a cooled tea can be used as a topical rinse to help treat skin inflammation from flea bites, fungal infections, or other issues. Some pets may be allergic to chamomile, so use very small amounts at first to see if they have a reaction or not.

5. DILL (Anethum graveolens)

Dill is known as a digestive aid that can help improve your pet’s appetite

and reduce gas and bloating. It also makes a great breath freshener and has been shown to contain many antioxidants and anticancer compounds. Both the leaves and seeds can be eaten by your pets. Try making a dill seed tea with 1 teaspoon (6 milliliters) of dill seed brewed in 8 ounces (227 milliliters) of hot water. Feed it to your pet once it’s cooled.

6. GINGER (Zingiber officinale)

You can buy fresh ginger root in the store, but it’s also very easy to grow

at home. Either way, ginger is very healthy for your pets. It supports digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties to help with conditions like arthritis and fever. Ginger also contains antiviral and anti-infective compounds. Just be careful not to give your pet too much, as large doses can cause nausea and stomach upset.

7. GRASS (Various species)

Dogs and cats both seem to need some grass in their diets, even though

they don’t have the enzymes to digest it. Why they eat grass is unclear. It may be to help get rid of a gastrointestinal upset, as they sometimes throw up after eating it. Grass is also very high in fiber, so the roughage may help move an upset through and out the other end.

Whatever the reason, it’s easy to grow grass either indoors or outdoors. Seeds for barley, wheat, and cat grass are readily available. You can also let your pet nibble on regular grass outside, as long as you know it’s free from pesticides.

8. MILK THISTLE (Silybum marianum)

Milk thistle is used to promote liver health in humans and your pets. It

contains silymarin, a compound shown to treat a variety of liver diseases and other conditions. Silymarin displaces toxins trying to bind to your liver and supports liver cells to divide and regenerate. Although this herb is very beneficial, it should not be used as a daily supplement for your pets. Long-term, high doses of milk thistle can be detrimental.

9. OREGANO (Origanum vulgare)

Aside from being delicious in your Italian food, oregano is high in vitamin

K, antioxidants, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. These all benefit your pets as well as you. Oregano is also recognized for its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. So, the next time you’re adding some fresh or dried oregano to your tomato sauce, save a little to sprinkle on your pet’s dinner.

10. PARSLEY (Petroselinum crispum)

This nutritious herb is rich in protein, fiber, and many different vitamins

and trace minerals. It’s a well-respected breath freshener and can be used to help treat swollen glands, indigestion, asthma, inflammatory conditions, and bladder problems.

If your pet is stung by a bee, you can mash a handful of fresh parsley with a bit of water and rub it on the sting. This can help reduce their pain as well as neutralize some of the poison.

11. PEPPERMINT (Mentha balsamea)

Peppermint has traditionally been used to soothe your digestive troubles,

such as nausea and gas. It can also be used with ginger to treat motion sickness. In addition, research has found that peppermint may be able to reduce radiation-induced sickness and mortality in your pets that are undergoing chemotherapy.

12. SAINT JOHN’S WORT (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John’s wort may be best known as an antidepressant for you. But it

also benefits your pets with depression and psychological stress, such as separation anxiety or aggression. It can also be effective for their pain control and healing, so a topical application can be used for your pes’ abrasions, dermatitis, or other skin issues. You can make your own skin oil for this purpose by packing a jar with dry St. John’s wort, then covering the herbs with olive oil to fill the jar. Seal the jar tightly and let sit for a few weeks before straining out the herbs and keeping the oil for use on your pet.

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So, pet lovers out there, did you find this as interesting as I did? Please let me know. You can leave me a comment below…

I hope you and your pets have a great healthy day!