The root of the ginger plant, which is in the same family as turmeric, is a well-known tropical herb whose root is used in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Herbal Medicine. Ginger’s primary function has been a digestive aid for stomach upset and nausea is probably the best known benefit but its core benefits extend way past digestive issues. Core benefits of Ginger include: 

Appetite/Bloat 

Ginger can help with appetite loss, gas, upset stomach and vomiting (like post-surgery). It is said to help cleanse the stomach. Gastric dilatation volvulus (aka bloat) is a life-threatening condition that involves expansion of the stomach from built up food and gas that isn’t being expelled.

Arthritis

Since arthritis is an inflammatory disease and ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory, if your dog is suffering from inflamed joints, ginger could offer some relief. It can also provide pain relief for back, chest, hip, knee, stomach and muscle soreness.

Cancer

Ginger has shown benefits as a cancer fighter in some studies, particularly because of its high antioxidant properties. According to Demian Dressler, DVM, in the DogCancerBlog.com, one study showed that ginger could slow the rate of breast cancer growth in mice; while another study demonstrated that ginger could kill lymphosarcoma cells in a test tube. Plus, since inflammation plays a role in cancer development, ginger’s anti-inflammatory abilities also come in handy when it comes to cancer. Ginger plays a role in reducing nausea and vomiting, which helps in cancer treatments and stimulating appetite.

Common Ailments

Ginger can help with Bronchitis and Cough, which can occur in dogs. The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral compounds found in Ginger relaxes membranes in the airways, and reduces the need to cough and soothes the throat, it also helps to prevent colds, reduce congestion and inflammation. 

Heartworm

Heartworm is a common disease that dogs can get. Prevention is always better than cure. Conventional treatment options are risky and difficult. But conventional prevention options are full of chemicals and are not without their risks as well. One study has shown promise in using ginger to treat heartworm disease in dogs. The reduction of microfilarial (heartworm larvae) concentration ranged between 83 percent to 98 percent in infected dogs treated with ginger.

Nausea 

Nausea in dog can be caused by many reasons - anxiety, motion sickness, cancer treatment - chemotherapy.  Having some ginger like in the form of Buta can help with motion sickness and having your dog consume some 30 minutes to an hour prior to a car ride, can prevent nausea and vomiting.

Warning: Ginger is natural blood thinner, so some precautions must be taken when using the product. Dogs on blood-thinning medications may not be candidates for using turmeric. As with all supplements, consult your veterinarian before adding ginger to your dog’s diet, especially it suffers from a chronic illness like high blood pressure, heart condition, taking any medication, lactating, pregnant, or about to undergo elective surgery. Ginger may lower blood sugar levels, so this might be something you want to check on if your dog has diabetes and is on medication.

The only main side effect of ginger is mild gastrointestinal irritation.

With Buta, Shishamo, Sake, Sake Hitokuchi, Kamo, Miruku at Kuro Snacks, we use dried ground ginger, as part of the process and in quantities safe for cats and dogs, but again, don’t feed a whole pack of Kuro Snacks to your dog at a go, too much of a good thing can be bad. Check them out: