Short answer: yes. Common garden mint, the spearmint and peppermint kind, is safe for dogs in small amounts and can help freshen doggy breath and settle a slightly upset stomach. The one mint you must never feed is pennyroyal, which is toxic to dogs. Below is what to feed, how much, and an easy homemade recipe.
Is mint safe for dogs?
Most true mints, including spearmint and peppermint, are non-toxic to dogs and safe in small quantities. The American Kennel Club notes that these garden mints are fine as an occasional treat, while pennyroyal is toxic and should be kept away from pets entirely (source: AKC). When in doubt about a plant in your yard, check with your vet before letting your dog nibble.
What are the benefits of mint for dogs?
Fresh mint can help mask bad breath and, according to VCA Animal Hospitals, small amounts of herbs like mint may support digestion. Keep expectations realistic though: mint freshens breath temporarily, but it is not a substitute for regular tooth brushing or dental chews. If your dog's breath is consistently foul, that can signal dental disease worth a vet visit.
How much mint can a dog have?
Treats of any kind, homemade mint biscuits included, should make up no more than about 10% of your dog's daily calories. A few small treats a day is plenty. Too much mint can cause loose stools or an upset stomach, so start with a tiny amount and watch how your dog reacts.
Easy homemade mint dog treat recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour (or oat flour for grain-sensitive dogs)
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh spearmint or peppermint
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley (another natural breath freshener)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup water, as needed
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, chopped mint, and parsley.
- Add the egg and melted coconut oil and mix well. Add water a little at a time until you get a workable dough.
- Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thick on a floured surface.
- Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake 20–25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for longer.
Prefer a no-bake chew? Try single-ingredient treats
Homemade biscuits are fun, but if you want something simpler and longer-lasting, we're big believers in single-ingredient chews. At Bully Sticks Central every chew is 100% natural, 100% real meat, fully digestible, and contains no rawhide, ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms. Our beef trachea chews and classic bully sticks give dogs the gnawing they crave while helping scrape away plaque, which does more for breath long-term than mint alone. If you like flavored options, our peanut butter treats are another crowd-pleaser.
The bottom line
Spearmint and peppermint make a safe, breath-freshening occasional treat for most dogs when fed in small amounts. Skip pennyroyal, keep treats to about 10% of daily calories, and pair the fresh breath with real dental care and a good chew. That's the plainspoken approach we take with our own dogs, and everything we sell is 100% high-quality guaranteed.
— Preston Smith, co-founder, Bully Sticks Central
This post was last updated at July 15, 2026 21:41
