We’re right around the corner from another holiday season. That means it’s time to start worrying about the ingredients in our favorite holiday meals. “Is this dog safe? What happens if my dog gets a lick of this? Or what if they get into the trash?” The questions swarm swarm in our heads!
There are a surprising number of things that we eat without giving a second thought that are actually toxic to our furbabies. We worry about the big ones: chocolate, grapes, onions, and cooked bones. So it can certainly be easy to forget about the seasonings that we put on our meals!
When fall hits, one of the most common seasonings used is allspice. You can find it in savory dishes as well as desserts. What is allspice, and is it something that needs to be kept away from your dog? That’s what we’re going to discuss today. Is allspice safe for dogs?
What Is Allspice?
Allspice sounds like an easy blend of all the popular holiday spices. The flavor brings that to mind as well. It has a hint of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in its flavor and its aroma. This is what makes it such a versatile spice and so popular in holiday cooking.
Despite its name, allspice only comes from one plant. The Pimenta dioica, also known as Jamaica pepper, is a small evergreen myrtle species. The unripe berries are used either ground or whole in a wide array of recipes. It has a delicious spice taste and is a common substitute for cinnamon and cloves.
Is Allspice Safe For Dogs?
We mentioned allspice is a relative type of myrtle. Myrtle is toxic to dogs, which means that allspice is off the list of dog-safe spices! Allspice contains a chemical called eugenol which is also found in clove oil. In large amounts, eugenol can cause liver toxicity. This is the same compound that makes pumpkin spice unsafe for dogs.
If your dog somehow gets a hold of a spice cookie or a muffin that has allspice, there’s no need to panic. In small amounts, allspice won’t have any effect on your dog. Problems can occur if your dog is frequently consuming food with allspice or manages to eat a large amount, either through off-limits treats or by getting into your spice cabinet.
If your dog has eaten a large amount of allspice, keep your eyes open for these symptoms. They may be signs of an overdose:
Vomiting
Lethargy
Diarrhea
Rapid heart rate
Nausea
Dizziness
Bloody urine
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, contact animal poison control and your dog’s veterinarian right away.
If your dog is frequently eating foods with allspice, this can eventually lead to liver toxicity. Make sure your family knows better than to try to slip your dog unapproved treats meant for humans.
Dog Friendly Holiday Treats
Of course, the holidays are more fun if you can include everyone. So while you’re baking, whip up a batch of treats just for your dog. There are lots of two-ingredient treat recipes to choose from, and you can make them seem more special with a holiday treat container. Let any visiting family know where the dog's safe treats are, and label them clearly. This way, they don’t accidentally hurt your dog while trying to “spoil” him.
Here’s an easy treat recipe from the AKC that will fit right in with the rest of your fall or holiday baking and is totally safe and healthy for your dog.
Banana Pumpkin Dog Treats
Ingredients
3 cups whole wheat flour
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 banana, mashed (this is a great way to use bananas that are over ripe)
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. Mix eggs, banana, and pumpkin together. Add flour slowly and mix until incorporated.
3. Lightly dust the counter and a rolling pin with flour, then roll out dough to approximately 1/8″ and cut out treats using the rim of a glass, or a cookie cutter.
4. Lay on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes.
Sweet Potato And Apple Dog Treats
If you like something that is a little more challenging, The Blue Jean Chef has a recipe that incorporates different fall flavors for your dog. These fun twisted treats are made with sweet potato and apple!
Ingredients
2 or 3 large sweet potatoes
1 apple grated (she recommends Gala or Honeycrisp)
3 cups of your flour of choice
2 eggs
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F
2. Cut potatoes in half and place peel up on a greased baking sheet. Bake until soft, about 40 minutes, allow to cool, then remove peel and mash.
3. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F
4. Mix sweet potatoes with grated apples, stir in flour and eggs. Dough should be soft but pliable. Divide into 4 pieces, then cut each piece in half. Roll each piece of dough to about 16 inches, then twist two pieces together. Cut twisted dough to desired size.
5. Place on cookie sheet and bake for about 35 minutes, transfer to cooling rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
More Dog Safe Recipes & Ideas
Looking for more inspiration? We’ve got you covered!
If you are looking for more ideas to have a safe and fun fall season with your dog, check out our ideas for a dog Halloween party! You’ll find some fun, festive recipes as well as activity ideas that’ll make your dog feel like one of the gang!
Enjoyed making these yummy recipes? Check out Dog Friendly Living’s recipe book, The Lazy Dog Mom Recipe Book! This handy ebook is filled with over 20 recipes that the Dog Friendly Living team has concocted in our very own kitchen! That means that we know that dogs absolutely love these recipes and give them two paws up!!
Do you have any ideas for safe fall or holiday treats for dogs? Share your ideas in the comments!