Black Seed Oil for Dogs 

Have you ever considered supporting your dog with herbs but were unsure how to use them? Or how safe they are for your pet? Black seed oil is an herbal …

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Written by: Siobhan Mendicino
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Have you ever considered supporting your dog with herbs but were unsure how to use them? Or how safe they are for your pet?

Black seed oil is an herbal supplement that supports both humans and animals – specifically dogs. It may help dogs that experience allergic reactions, skin conditions, or tick and flea bites. 

Black seed oil can be taken internally or applied topically for dogs.  

In this article, we’ll discuss black seed oil health benefits for dogs, some supportive canine black seed oil supplements, and how to safely administer black seed oil for your pet. 

black seed oil nutritional supplement for dogs

Health Benefits of Black Seed Oil for Dogs:

Black seed, also known as black cumin oil, contains an array of health-supporting benefits. Below are some of the most well-known, researched health benefits of black seed oil for dogs.

1. May Have Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Black seed oil is rich in the active constituent thymoquinone, known for its ability to reduce inflammation in humans and animals. 

In an animal study observing rats, administration of black seed oil reduced the severity of stomach ulcers. Researchers noted that the black seed oil was responsible for increasing a protective gastrointestinal protein and reducing inflammation, which may help relieve digestive issues for dogs.  

Another animal study discovered that thymoquinone had an anti-inflammatory effect in the intestines. There was a decrease in the inflammatory response and an increase in antioxidant support, suggesting thymoquinone in black cumin oil may be helpful for animals with digestive issues or disorders.    

2. May Improve Allergies 

Due to black seed oils’ anti-inflammatory properties, it is known to reduce allergy complications in humans and dogs. 

In a study observing animals with allergy symptoms, black seed oil significantly reduced the amount of nasal scratching. Researchers noted that the black seed oil reduced the inflammatory response specific to allergies, which may reduce itchiness, sneezing, and inflamed skin in dogs. 

A second animal study found that black seed oil supplementation reduced allergy-related airway inflammation. These results were due to black seed oil’s ability to regulate the immune system and reduce the inflammatory response.     

3. May Prevent Tick & Flea Bites

Topical application and internal supplementation of black seed oil for dogs have proven significantly effective in reducing tick and flea bites. 

In a study observing the canine anti-inflammatory cream DogsBestFriend™, which includes black seed, researchers found that the cream repelled numerous tick species, like American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and lone star ticks. The extract repelled 66.7% to 100% of ticks, depending on the species of tick.  

A lab-based comparison study discovered that black seed oil extract was the most effective at repelling and killing ticks compared to the thyme extract. The Nigella sativa extract was lethal within 12 hours of application.  

4. May Improve Skin Conditions

Skin conditions are common in dogs, and topical application of black seed oil may support healthy skin and reduce redness, inflammation, and scratching. 

A study observing animals with atopic dermatitis (AD) found that topical application of thymoquinone reduced redness and swelling. Researchers discovered that the thymoquinone minimized AD symptoms by inhibiting the inflammatory response. 

An animal study found that black seed oil absorbs into the deep layers of skin. Since the oil encouraged moisture retention, it suggests black seed oil may be helpful for dogs who experience dry and itchy skin.  

5. Other Potential Health Benefits

May Provide Pain Relief: In an animal study, daily administration of black seed oil was shown to have benefits for reducing pain in rats experiencing neuralgia, suggesting the oil may be helpful for dogs with disease or injury pain, especially older dogs. 

black seed oil nutritional supplement for dogs

Is Black Seed Oil Safe for Dogs? 

Yes, black seed oil is safe to give to dogs. 

Black seed oil is “well-tolerated” by dogs; however, it’s essential to avoid giving or applying black seed oil to a dog that has liver or kidney complications. Excess amounts of black seed oil may cause adverse effects.

Additionally, like humans, black seed oil can cause a reaction on the skin when applied topically. Conduct a skin patch test to ensure no adverse side effects occur. Simply apply the oil to a small skin patch and wait 15 minutes. If no reaction occurs, it’s safe to use the black seed oil topically.   

Given the lack of science-backed data, it’s best to avoid administering black seed oil to a pregnant dog. Consult with your veterinarian to ensure it is safe for your dog.

Black Seed Oil Supplements for Dogs:

It’s safe for your dog to receive any black seed oil from a trustworthy company; however, there are some dog-related black seed oil products on the market. 

Below are the top black seed oil for dogs supplements. 

Amazing Herbs – Black Seed Soft Chews for Dogs

These soft chews are naturally bacon-flavored and created with non-GMO, cold-pressed black seed oil. They can be administered to support your dog’s immune system, reduce inflammation, encourage a healthy gastrointestinal tract, and ease joint pain.  

Amazing Herbs – Black Seed Oil 

This product is non-GMO, cold-pressed, organic black seed oil for humans and animals. It contains 1.2% thymoquinone – the active ingredient that supports the immune system, reduces inflammation, and encourages healthy digestion.  

Amazing Herbs is a trustworthy company that has been explicitly creating black seed oil products for over 20 years. All their products are created in a US, FDA-registered and inspected facility in-house and sent to a third-party lab for purity, safety, and effectiveness testing.

Amazing Herbs sources their black seed from trusted organic, sustainable, and pesticide-free farms that exclusively grow black seed for Amazing Herbs. 

Click here to learn more about our top recommended black seed oil supplements.

black seed oil for dog health

Black Seed Oil Dosage:  

The best black seed oil dosage for dogs depends on the animal’s size.

Below is a chart that offers specific dosages for every dog size. 

Dog SizeDosage 
Small (up to 20 lbs) ½ tsp daily 
Medium (up to 50 lbs) 1 tsp daily 
Large (over 50 lbs)  1 ½ – 2 tsp daily 

How to Administer Black Seed Oil to Your Dog:

You can administer black seed oil to your dog in oil or chew form. 

Given the strong flavor, it’s helpful to add black seed oil to your dog’s food. You can also include it on a treat to encourage your dog to ingest it. 

Although internal application is helpful for most issues, topical black seed oil application is popular for skin issues. To apply topically, simply rub the daily dose into the affected area until it’s fully absorbed.  

If supplementing with black seed oil chews, you can give it to your dog as a treat or put it in with your dog’s food. 

If your dog is struggling to take the black seed oil, syringes can be helpful for administering the oil straight into your dog’s mouth.   

anti-inflammatory properties of black seed oil for dogs

Conclusion:

Black seed oil supplementation for your dog is something to consider if your dog is experiencing gastrointestinal, immune system, tick & flea, or allergy issues. It can also be applied externally to support a dog’s skin and coat. 

It’s important to consult with your primary veterinarian before including black seed oil in your dog’s diet. 

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Amin S, Mir SR, Kohli K, Ali B, Ali M. A study of the chemical composition of black cumin oil and its effect on penetration enhancement from transdermal formulations. Nat Prod Res. 2010 Jul;24(12):1151-7. doi: 10.1080/14786410902940909. PMID: 20582810.

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Jarmakiewicz-Czaja, S., Zielińska, M., Helma, K., Sokal, A., & Filip, R. (2023). Effect of Nigella sativa on Selected Gastrointestinal Diseases. Current issues in molecular biology, 45(4), 3016–3034. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45040198

Shahzad M, Yang X, Raza Asim MB, Sun Q, Han Y, Zhang F, Cao Y, Lu S. Black seed oil ameliorates allergic airway inflammation by inhibiting T-cell proliferation in rats. Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2009 Feb;22(1):37-43. doi: 10.1016/j.pupt.2008.11.006. Epub 2008 Nov 27. PMID: 19059494.

Shakeri, F., Gholamnezhad, Z., Mégarbane, B., Rezaee, R., & Boskabady, M. H. (2016). Gastrointestinal effects of Nigella sativa and its main constituent, thymoquinone: a review. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine, 6(1), 9–20.

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About Siobhan Mendicino

Siobhan is a herbal researcher and writer. She has a bachelor of science in communications as well as having completed a post-baccalaureate certificate in herbal studies.