Christmas spices - What tastes good to even the finest dog noses at Christmas?

The smell of vanilla, aniseed, clove and cinnamon conjures up a unique Christmas atmosphere in every room, making us look forward to the festive season. But can these natural aromas also be good for making dog cookies? Our veterinary practitioner Angelica knows what to look out for when baking for your four-legged friend and which Christmas spices dogs love.

How healthy are vanilla, ginger, cinnamon and co. for our dogs?

If you bake for your dog, you should always avoid flavorings of chemical origin. Natural flavorings are perfect for making dog cookies for Christmas. But which Christmas spices are compatible with dogs? And which spices are not recommended for your dog? We have put together a small overview for you. At the end, you'll also find two recipes for delicious and healthy Christmas cookies - guaranteed to get your four-legged friend into the Christmas spirit.

Real vanilla - the expensive classic

Perhaps man's favorite spice is real vanilla (Vanilla planifolia). It's hard to believe, but vanilla is a climbing plant, belongs to the orchid family and is native to Mexico. Vanilla is one of the most expensive spices in the world (only cardamom and saffron are more expensive). This spice was used by the Aztecs long before the Spanish brought it to Europe. Even today it is used more for flavor and is rarely used as a medicinal plant. Vanilla is well tolerated by dogs, but should be used sparingly.

Aniseed - Natural power for the respiratory tract

Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) is an ancient medicinal and spice plant. It is mainly cultivated in the Mediterranean region and belongs to the umbellifer family. The sweet-smelling plant has small white flowers from which the tiny seeds are formed. Anise seeds taste and smell spicy, tart and sweetly aromatic and the smell is slightly reminiscent of liquorice. They are used in whole and ground form, with the crushed seeds developing their most intense aroma in a mortar. Aniseed is not only a very popular Christmas spice, but also a good food additive for your dog. Aniseed strengthens the respiratory tract and the digestive system.

Ginger - support for blood circulation

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used by humans for thousands of years to combat various ailments. Its scent is distinctively fresh and the juice it releases is slightly pungent and burning. The aromatic and healing properties of the ginger bulb were already known to the ancient Romans. This spice is often added to curries, sauces and drinks. Ginger stimulates the digestive juices and metabolism, is warming and promotes blood circulation. Although it is suitable for dogs, you should make sure that you stop feeding it 48 hours before a possible medical procedure. Ginger has blood-thinning properties. The root tuber should also not be fed to pregnant women, as certain ingredients can trigger contractions. However, make sure that ginger is only used in moderation.

True cinnamon - enormous essential effect

Real cinnamon is one of the oldest spices in the world and should not be missing from any Christmas bakery. However, you should distinguish between two types of this spice: The cinnamon that we can buy in ground form or as cinnamon sticks in the supermarket comes from the smaller cinnamon bush (Cinnamomum cassia). This is mainly cultivated in Indonesia. Ceylon cinnamon, on the other hand, is characterized by a finer taste and a higher content of essential oils. Due to its components, it is of a significantly higher quality and therefore has a more intensive effect on the body. Cinnamon is an effective natural remedy but, as for us humans, it should only be used to a limited extent in dog baked goods.

Cardamom - positive for breath and digestion

Along with saffron, cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is one of the most precious spices in the world. It belongs to the ginger family and is particularly prized in India. There it is used to make tea and curry due to its incomparably spicy flavor. The unripe green seeds, which are harvested by hand, are mainly used. The spice can be bought either as seeds, ground or as capsules all year round. If the capsules are still intact, they are of particularly high quality. However, if you have already opened the capsule, the seeds it contains will quickly lose their aroma. As an exotic spice, cardamom contains many essential oils, which have a positive effect on the respiratory tract and digestion. Pregnant bitches should avoid the spice in large quantities, otherwise contractions can occur - similar to ginger.

Coriander - spicy flavor for dog biscuits

True coriander (Coriandrum sativum) originally comes from the eastern Mediterranean region. It is one of the oldest spices in the world and is closely related to caraway and fennel. The taste of the seeds is spicy, slightly piquant, somewhat sweet and reminiscent of a combination of orange peel, cinnamon and nutmeg. The seeds or fruits of coriander are often used whole or ground. For baking, I would always recommend using the whole seeds for your dog cookies. This keeps the essential oils in and prevents them from volatilizing. Again, you should only use this spice in moderation.

Thyme - Dominant, vitalizing spice

Thyme (thyme vulgaris) is mainly native to southern Europe, where it has been cultivated and appreciated since time immemorial. The small, bushy shrub exudes a pleasant fragrance, the taste is intensely spicy and very aromatic, almost resinous. Thyme has long been used as a spice in Mediterranean cuisine, but it is also popular as a medicinal plant for the stomach, intestines and respiratory tract. Thyme is a popular herb for four-legged friends and can be used in dog biscuits. Here too, however, you should use it discreetly, as its flavor is dominant.

Fennel - also known as Köppernickel

The fennel plant (Foeniculum vulgare) produces a bulb, which is used as a vegetable, as well as seeds and fruit. This plant also originates from the Mediterranean region and was highly valued in the past for its beneficial effects on the stomach, intestines and respiratory tract. Fennel seeds are a tasty and well-tolerated spice for dog biscuits. The taste is sweet, similar to aniseed. The essential oils contained in fennel are liked by most dogs. Even though the ingredients are very effective, they should be used sparingly due to their intense flavor.

Off to the dog Christmas bakery

As you can see, you can use any number of our popular Christmas spices for baking dog cookies. The choice is huge and there are no limits to your creativity.

However, spices such as nutmeg, allspice, cloves and bitter almonds are not recommended, as the latter is a type of nut and is actually very poisonous for dogs. In our article "Can dogs eat nuts?

We hope you enjoy our Christmas cookie recipes for dogs!