Mint water is an excellent drink to keep your dogs hydrated during the hot months of summer. It is really easy to prepare as all you need for this drink is water and some sprigs of mint. The human recipe of mint water has some lime/lemon in it to enhance its flavor. For dogs, we don’t use any citrus fruits because they can cause an upset stomach.
Ingredients:
- 1 small cucumber (or half of a medium cucumber), scrubbed and sliced
- 2 sprigs fresh mint, washed and bruised
- 10-12 cups cool filtered water
Instructions:
- Place sliced cucumber and mint sprigs in a large pitcher.
- Pour water into the pitcher.
- Cover and refrigerate for anywhere between 1 and 8 hours (the longer you infuse the water, the stronger the flavor will become).
- Strain the water to remove mint sprigs.
Notes:
When making infused water, I prefer to use well-washed, organic ingredients, so as to avoid any potential pesticides infusing into my water.
In order to prepare Cucumber Mint Infused Water instantly, put a few slices of cucumber, a few mint leaves, and a few ice cubes in a bottle or jar. Fill the bottle/jar with water, seal, shake, and enjoy immediately.
Thank you Five Heart Home for this recipe.
Is Mint Water Good for Dogs?
It is essential to keep your pet hydrated at all times to avoid any unwanted incident. Quite obviously, mint water is a great alternative to increase your dog’s interest in drinking. Similarly, it can be used for freshening your dog’s breath. Despite these benefits, dogs should NEVER be exposed to too much mint (moderation is the key).
Owing to the nutritional value of mint, several dog treats have small quantities of mint in them. It is an effective method of incorporating this beneficial ingredient in your dog’s diet. Some of the nutritional benefits of mint are listed below.
- Mint carries a number of essential minerals including Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, and Phosphorus. It’s also a rich source of vitamins A and C.
- It’s a powerful antioxidant with antifungal and antibacterial properties. Similarly, the presence of Rosmarinic Acid makes mint a useful weapon against allergies.
- This soothing herb is quite effective at treating upset stomach and nausea.
- Mint is also regarded as a natural decongestant (menthol) that can help in clearing phlegm and mucus.
All in all, mint water can serve a lot of purposes if used in moderation.
Can Dogs Have Peppermint Oil in Water?
Yes, dogs can have peppermint oil in water but in limited quantities. This is because too much peppermint can lead to digestive problems (like vomiting and diarrhea) or unwanted weight gain. In order to prevent this from happening, it is highly recommended to consult your vet for safe dosages.
It is quite possible that your dog may refuse to drink the water having peppermint extracts in it. The scent of peppermint might not seem strong to humans but it can be extremely irritating for a dog’s sensitive nose (300 million nose receptors).
Peppermint Oil and Fleas
Peppermint oil is becoming an increasingly popular choice to get rid of fleas and ticks. Despite the popularity of this idea, there is little scientific research to back these claims. Most of the information about the effectiveness of this method comes from marketing campaigns.
One thing that is certain about peppermint oil is that it cannot kill fleas. So if a particular brand claims to kill fleas, it will have some other ingredients that can be dangerous for your dog. In these circumstances, you should NEVER deduce any conclusions without taking the professional advice of a vet.
Can Dogs Have Peppermint?
Peppermint is not an ingredient that is usually used in dog foods. Although it is technically not toxic to dogs, peppermint does have some undesired side effects. In addition to that, peppermint is generally accompanied by some other chemicals that are toxic to dogs.
For instance, Xylitol is often combined with peppermint as a sweetener. Peppermint candy cane is one such example where Xylitol is used. This chemical is extremely dangerous for dogs as it can lead to death. For this reason, it is ideal to keep your canine companion completely away from this ingredient.
Mint Infused Water for Dogs
Mint infused water is an exceptional remedy for countering the extensive heat of summers. Although it is quite beneficial for your dogs, sometimes they might not like its taste. In this case, you may need to enhance the flavor of the mint-infused water. Adding some fruits into it can make it delicious and even healthier. The following fruit infused recipes can help you achieve your goal.
Cucumber + Blackberry + Mint Infused Water
Blackberries will not only add to the taste but they will also make the drink visually more attractive. For this reason, it will be easier to allure your dog towards it.
Ingredients:
- A small cucumber
- A handful of organic blackberries
- 5 or more mint leaves
Instructions:
- Fill your pitcher with filtered water
- Add a handful of washed organic blackberries
- Wash and chop a small cucumber (or half of a large one) into coin-shaped disks and add them to your pitcher.
- Add 5+ mint leaves
- Leave it for about an hour in order to let the fruit infuse its goodness into your water.
- When serving to your dog, fill the water bowl with just the infused water. We don’t want them to choke while drinking. If you would like to share a little bit of fruit, make sure to place the fruit in a separate bowl. Just enough to feel refreshed.
Thank you Pretty Fluffy for this recipe.
Cucumber + Strawberry + Orange + Mint Infused Water
Just like blackberries, strawberries are also completely safe for dogs. Similarly, oranges are also non-toxic to dogs. The combination of these two fruits can create a scrumptious and healthy drink for your dog.
Ingredients (for 2 Liters):
- 1 Orange
- 10 Strawberries, sliced
- 2 sprigs of fresh mint, about 8-10 leaves
Instructions:
- In a large pitcher, add the orange and strawberries.
- Over the pitcher squeeze and slightly twist the mint, do not tear apart you only want to gently release the oils, add the mint leaves to the fruit.
- Top with ice and water.
- Let the pitcher sit in the fridge for 1 hour before serving.
- When the water is down to ¼ full in the pitcher, refill with water and place back in the fridge. You can do this several times.
- Store Strawberry, Orange, and Mint Infused Water in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Important Note: When pouring the drink in your dog’s bowl, always remember to remove any fruit pulp as it can cause choking.
Thank you Yummly for this recipe.
Kiwi + Mint Infused Water
Kiwis are incredibly rich in Vitamin C and Potassium. Even though kiwis are safe for dogs, they offer a lot more than the nutritional requirements of your pet. Due to this reason, you should NEVER make them a regular part of their diet. However, you can use this ingredient to add some flavor to the mint-infused water.
Ingredients:
- 2 sliced kiwis
- 1 gallon of water, iced
- 6 sprigs of mint
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a pitcher.
- Serve ice cold!
Alternatively, you can also use tap water and refrigerate the pitcher before serving.
Thank you Yummly for this recipe.
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