Just as there are different foods for humans and dogs, there are also human-friendly spices and dog-friendly spices. Not every spices used for human foods are suitable for doggy consumption.
Hence, you must be careful about the spices and ingredients you use when cooking a meal that you are going to share with your dog. While some spices are very toxic to dogs, some others pose no potential threat to their health. In this article, we would be focusing on the bay leaf spice and how safe or unsafe it is for dogs. Read on!
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Are Bay Leaves Toxic To Dogs
Bay leaves contain highly toxic contents that make them unsafe for your dog’s consumption. Consuming bay leaves in any amount, can result in severe health conditions in your dog, which you would be better off not having to worry about.
It is therefore highly advised that you avoid giving your dog any bay leaves or foods containing bay leaves as spices. The amount of toxic chemicals in bay leaves outnumber the amount of safe and healthy ones for dogs. Here is a list of some of the toxic chemicals contained in bay leaves:
45% Eucalyptol, 8-12% Terpinyl Acetate, 3% Methyleugenol, 1.3% Essential oils, 12% Terpenes and 3-4% Sesquiterpenes.
They also contain α- and β-pinenes, linalool, lauric acid, phellandrene, geraniol and terpineol.
Although there are different types of bay leaves, each of these types of bay leaves contain these chemicals.
Dogs are not able to easily digest bay leaves due to the presence of essential oils and methyleugenol. The enzymes required to metabolize these toxic chemicals are not present in dogs like in humans.
Types Of Bay Leaves
Bay leaves have sweet aroma and taste, and can be used both as herbs and as spices for soups when dried and packed. There are different types of bay leaves and depending on the type, they can be as long as 1-3 inches. Here are the different types of bay leaves that there are:
American Bay Leaves
The American bay leaves, also known as Bay Laurel, come in medium green and light green colors and are mostly used in soups and other dishes for their unique flavor and aroma.
However, they are not safe for eating so you would have to remove them from the meal before serving it for eating. This bay leaf type has one long vein that runs down the length of the leaf.
Indian Bay leaves
Unlike the American Bay Leave, the Indian Bay leaves have 3 veins running down their lengths. This bay leaf type has a longer length and a wider width than most other bay leaves. Their mild fragrance and cinnamon bark taste make them unique. They come in olive green colors.
Turkish Bay leaves
Mediterranean, as they are popularly known, have a more subtle flavor than most other bay leaves. Most people prefer to use the Turkish Bay Leaves for this reason, in order for the bay leaf flavor not to subdue the natural soup flavor.
The type of bay leaf are usually about 2 inches long and are quite shorter and wider in shape than most other bay leaves.
Indonesian Bay leaves
As you must have guessed, the Indonesian bay leaves, also known as Indonesian laurel are found only in Indonesia. This type of bay leaf is used in Indonesian meat dishes. People are not residents of Indonesia will either have to journey to Indonesia to get this particular bay leaf or just not have access to it.
California Bay leaves
California bay leaves are the most potent of all the types of bay leaves with their slightly minty undertone. They are also called California laurel, usually about 2-3 inches long and slimmer in shape.
West Indies Bay leaves
West Indies Bay leaves are used in most Caribbean dishes. They originate from Western India, as the name obviously suggests.
Mexican Bay leaves
Mexican Bay Leaves are grown in Mexico, as you must have guessed, and are used in most Latin American dishes. Some of the Latin American dishes that are commonly prepared with bay leaves include soups, seafood (to reduce their fishy tastes), fatty meats, marinades and stews.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Can Dogs Have Broth Cooked With Bay Leaves?
Little amounts of bay leaves coupled with carrots and a few other vegetables can be added to your dog’s broth. This should not cause any harm to your dog’s health. However, we advise that you keep your dog away from any bay leaves at all to avoid any future health complications.
Is It Safe To Burn Bay Leaves Around Dogs?
The simple answer to this is no, it is not safe to burn bay leaves around dogs. Just as you are advised to keep your little children away from burning bay leaves, pets including dogs should also be kept away from burning bay leaves as it can be hazardous to their health.
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Bay Leaves?
Your dog might stumble on some bay leaves you kept within his reach and gone ahead to eat them accidentally without your knowledge.
If this happens and you may begin to notice symptoms in your dog such as diarrhea, nausea, lethargy, blockage or damage of the gastrointestinal tracts caused by the sharp edges of the leaf, and depression.
We advise that you consult your veterinary doctor immediately to get your dog checked and administered the appropriate medications for treatment.
Conclusively
As we have already established, bay leaves are not healthy for your dog’s consumption and so you must ensure to keep bay leaves on high shelves or in locked drawers, out of the reach of your dog.
If you also plan to share your meal with your lovely dog, you must be careful about the ingredients you use to prepare the food.
A meal that you intend to share with your dog should have only dog-friendly ingredients as many human food ingredients are toxic for dogs. For this reason, you would need to read more about dogs and the spices that are safe for their consumption.
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