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Ingredient file // Flavor

Thyme

A seasoning herb with unproven health perks

Thyme is a culinary herb added to dog food in small amounts for its aroma and flavor. It contributes too little fiber or protein to shape the diet, and studies of its extracts do not show that thyme in food protects dogs from disease.

Role in the food Does a job
Thyme
What it is
The leaves and flowering tops of a culinary thyme plant, usually dried before they enter dog food.
Made from
Thyme leaves and flowering tops
Main job
Herbal flavor and aroma
Typical amount
Two published recipes list 0.05% and 0.1%
Watch for
Do not confuse the herb with concentrated oil
Not the same as
Spanish thyme

Straight answer

Is Thyme safe for dogs?

Read thyme as seasoning, then keep reading

When thyme sits near other herbs toward the end of a list, give it the weight of a seasoning. Judge the food by its main ingredients and nutritional adequacy. The herb's name is no evidence of antioxidant protection, infection control or flea prevention for your dog.

Why it is in the food
Herbal flavor and aroma

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 35 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

3%

92 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 17 brands. 61 wet dog food, 14 dry dog food, 11 frozen dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 21.5. In the top five of 0 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

4%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 96% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $3.75
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 9 priced foods, 15% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

15%

of the foods that list it are from Merrick. 17 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Herb growers harvest thyme for seasoning. Drying makes the leaves and flowering tops easier to store, while cleaning and milling prepare the crop for use in a food recipe.5

  1. 01 // Source Thyme crop Leaves and flowering tops are harvested from thyme plants grown for culinary use.
  2. 02 // Process Cleaned and dried Processors remove foreign material and dry the harvested herb to make it suitable for storage.
  3. 03 // Process Rubbed or milled Dried plant material is broken into smaller, more uniform pieces for mixing into food.
  4. 04 // Output Dried thyme The prepared herb reaches the food plant as leaves or a milled seasoning.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

21

% crude fiber

One dried thyme sample contained about 21% crude fiber. At the amounts declared in dog recipes, it adds little to the food's fiber.

Crude fiber 21.2%2
Protein 5.9%2
Ash 7.5%2
Crude fat 3.9%2

These figures describe one herb sample, not a fixed specification. Thyme's aroma compounds also vary with growing conditions, so the scent of a batch need not be identical.2,5

Why it is in the bag

Seasoning for flavor, too little to feed the dog

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

Thyme is there to season the food. Makers add it for its herbal aroma and flavor, not as a nutrient source. US rules require ingredients to be listed in order of weight, and one published dry food declares 0.1% dried thyme. At amounts like that, it likely adds too little fiber, protein or plant compounds to change the food's nutrition. That is a judgment from list order and the one declared amount, since most foods do not publish theirs.8,10

  1. 01

    Adds herbal flavor

    Thyme's aromatic compounds give the recipe a recognizable herbal note. The dried herb standard describes flavor and aroma as defining qualities.5

  2. 02

    Seasons a large batch

    Published dry and wet dog recipes declare only 0.1% and 0.05% thyme. Those small additions provide seasoning without using the herb as a bulk nutrient source.8,9

How much Two published dog food recipes declare dried thyme at 0.05% and 0.1%; these are examples, not an industry average.8,9

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Owners say

    Thyme in food keeps fleas off dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A placebo-controlled trial tested a supplement containing thyme and other herbs in 22 dogs. Flea counts fell, but the maker supported the study, and its mixed formula cannot show that thyme in ordinary food works.1,8,9

  2. Brands say

    Thyme gives dogs antioxidant protection

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A feeding study in 120 pigs measured changes in oxidation markers with diets containing 1% or 3% thyme. Published dog recipes declare 0.05% to 0.1%, and no dog study isolates a benefit from thyme at those amounts.2,8,9

  3. Brands say

    Thyme kills harmful bacteria in a dog's gut

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In laboratory plate tests, thyme essential oil inhibited bacteria while the tested plant extracts did not. That result does not show that dried thyme in food treats infection or improves a dog's gut health.3

  4. Owners say

    Thyme is toxic to dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    ASPCA has separate plant listings: common culinary thyme is non-toxic to dogs, while Spanish thyme is toxic. A warning about Spanish thyme does not apply to the culinary herb on a dog food label.6,7

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No, seasoning

    Thyme has a clear job: flavor. A published dry dog food contains 0.1% dried thyme, far too little for the herb's fiber or protein to do meaningful work in the recipe.2,5,8

  2. Q02

    Does thyme preserve the food?

    No proof

    Thyme oil showed antimicrobial activity in laboratory tests. That does not show that a pinch of dried thyme preserves kibble. One food listing dried thyme also lists separate antioxidant additives.3,8

  3. Q03

    Is it safe for dogs?

    Yes, as herb

    ASPCA lists common thyme as non-toxic to dogs. The culinary herb in food is different from concentrated thyme oil and from the toxic plant called Spanish thyme.4,6,7

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Merrick 14 / 107
  2. Stella & Chewy's 11 / 85
  3. Smallbatch 9 / 23
  4. Wellness 8 / 118
  5. Health Extension 8 / 47
  6. Nulo 6 / 117
  7. Natural Balance 6 / 48
  8. Jinx 6 / 21
  9. Dave's Pet Food 5 / 22
  10. TruDog 3 / 14

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Plus 7 more brands.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Carrots 65%
  2. Chicken 52%
  3. Brown Rice 38%
  4. Sunflower Oil 35%
  5. Green Beans 28%
  6. Chicken Broth 23%
  7. Sweet Potatoes 23%
  8. Tricalcium Phosphate 23%
  9. Natural Flavor 23%
  10. Pumpkin 22%
  11. Beef 22%
  12. Peas 22%

On the shelf

Foods that list Thyme

92 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

The Honest Kitchen Bone Broth Pour Overs Dog Food TopperThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Bone Broth Pour Overs Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 6 on the labelJinx Chicken Homemades Single-Serve Meal Wet Dog FoodJinxJinx Chicken Homemades Single-Serve Meal Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelJinx Beef & Chicken Homemades Meal Dog Food TopperJinxJinx Beef & Chicken Homemades Meal Dog Food TopperWet // No. 10 on the labelHealth Extension Gently Cooked Grain Free Duck & Kale Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Gently Cooked Grain Free Duck & Kale Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelNatural Balance Platefulls Savory Duck & Pumpkin Recipe Wet Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance Platefulls Savory Duck & Pumpkin Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelNatural Balance Platefulls Tender Carrot, Potato & Beef Recipe Wet Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance Platefulls Tender Carrot, Potato & Beef Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Braised Beef & Lamb One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Braised Beef & Lamb One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelTruDog Elevate Homestyle Bone-In Grain Free Chicken Stew w/ Sweet Potatoes Wet Dog FoodTruDogTruDog Elevate Homestyle Bone-In Grain Free Chicken Stew w/ Sweet Potatoes Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelTruDog Elevate Homestyle Bone-In Grain Free Chicken Stew w/ Carrots & Spinach Wet Dog FoodTruDogTruDog Elevate Homestyle Bone-In Grain Free Chicken Stew w/ Carrots & Spinach Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelBil-Jac Chunky Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodBil-JacBil-Jac Chunky Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelHalo Elevate Homestyle Bone-In Grain Free Chicken Stew w/ Sweet Potatoes Wet Dog FoodHaloHalo Elevate Homestyle Bone-In Grain Free Chicken Stew w/ Sweet Potatoes Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelHalo Elevate Homestyle Bone-In Grain Free Chicken Stew w/ Carrots & Spinach Wet Dog FoodHaloHalo Elevate Homestyle Bone-In Grain Free Chicken Stew w/ Carrots & Spinach Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the label
Show 48 more
Jinx Chicken & Salmon Homemades Single-Serve Meal Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodJinxJinx Chicken & Salmon Homemades Single-Serve Meal Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelInstinct Freshly Crafted Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Wet Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Freshly Crafted Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelTruDog Elevate Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Chicken Stew w/ Carrots, P Wet Dog FoodTruDogTruDog Elevate Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Chicken Stew w/ Carrots, P Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelJinx Chicken Homemades Wet Dog FoodJinxJinx Chicken Homemades Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelJinx Beef & Chicken Homemades Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodJinxJinx Beef & Chicken Homemades Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelEarthborn Holistic Grain Free Classics K95 Duck Wet Dog FoodEarthborn HolisticEarthborn Holistic Grain Free Classics K95 Duck Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelHalo Elevate Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Chicken Stew w/ Carrots, P Wet Dog FoodHaloHalo Elevate Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Chicken Stew w/ Carrots, P Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelInstinct Freshly Crafted Meals Pork & Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe Wet Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Freshly Crafted Meals Pork & Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelDave’s Pet Food Pouches Dave’s Chicken & Salmon with Brown Rice, Goat Milk Pouch Recipe for Do Wet Dog FoodDave's Pet FoodDave’s Pet Food Pouches Dave’s Chicken & Salmon with Brown Rice, Goat Milk Pouch Recipe for Do Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelDave’s Pet Food Bland Diet Pouches Dave’s Bland Duck & Pumpkin Pouch Recipe for Dogs / 10 Pack - Pou Wet Dog FoodDave's Pet FoodDave’s Pet Food Bland Diet Pouches Dave’s Bland Duck & Pumpkin Pouch Recipe for Dogs / 10 Pack - Pou Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelJinx Grain Free Chicken Tuna Homemades Wet Dog FoodJinxJinx Grain Free Chicken Tuna Homemades Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelWellness Protein Bowls Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Protein Bowls Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelWellness Core Protein Bowls Beef, Potato & Green Beans Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Protein Bowls Beef, Potato & Green Beans Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelEarthborn Holistic Grain Free Classics K95 Chicken Wet Dog FoodEarthborn HolisticEarthborn Holistic Grain Free Classics K95 Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelHealth Extension Gently Cooked Chicken And Pumpkin Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Gently Cooked Chicken And Pumpkin Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Chicken Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Chicken Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelDave’s Pet Food Dave’s Grain-Free Goat Milk, Chicken Dinner Pouch Recipe for Dogs / 10 Wet Dog FoodDave's Pet FoodDave’s Pet Food Dave’s Grain-Free Goat Milk, Chicken Dinner Pouch Recipe for Dogs / 10 Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 20 on the labelDave’s Pet Food Pouches Dave’s Beef & Chicken with Brown Rice, Goat Milk Pouch Recipe Wet Dog FoodDave's Pet FoodDave’s Pet Food Pouches Dave’s Beef & Chicken with Brown Rice, Goat Milk Pouch Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 20 on the label4health All Life Stages Fresh Beef and Rice Recipe Wet Dog Food4health4health All Life Stages Fresh Beef and Rice Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 20 on the labelHealth Extension Gently Cooked Grain Free Vegetarian Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Gently Cooked Grain Free Vegetarian Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 20 on the labelHealth Extension Gently Cooked Lamb And Carrot Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Gently Cooked Lamb And Carrot Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 20 on the labelHealth Extension Gently Cooked Beef And Potato Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Gently Cooked Beef And Potato Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 20 on the labelInstinct Freshly Crafted Meals Grass-Fed Beef Recipe Dog Food TopperInstinctInstinct Freshly Crafted Meals Grass-Fed Beef Recipe Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 20 on the labelMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Turkey Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Turkey Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 20 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Chunky Colossal Chicken Dinner Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Chunky Colossal Chicken Dinner Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 20 on the labelSmallbatch Raw Rabbit Sliders Frozen Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Raw Rabbit Sliders Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 21 on the labelSmallbatch Lightly Cooked Turkey Frozen Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Lightly Cooked Turkey Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 21 on the labelDave’s Pet Food Dave’s Bland Beef & Rice Pouch Recipe for Dogs / 10 Pack - Pouche Wet Dog FoodDave's Pet FoodDave’s Pet Food Dave’s Bland Beef & Rice Pouch Recipe for Dogs / 10 Pack - Pouche Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 21 on the labelWellness Core Protein Bowls Lamb, Red Rice & Peas Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Protein Bowls Lamb, Red Rice & Peas Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 21 on the labelEarthborn Holistic Grain Free Classics K95 Turkey Wet Dog FoodEarthborn HolisticEarthborn Holistic Grain Free Classics K95 Turkey Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 21 on the labelHealth Extension Gently Cooked Grain Free Salmon Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Gently Cooked Grain Free Salmon Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 21 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Carver’s Delight Chunky Chicken Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Carver’s Delight Chunky Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 21 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Salmon Recipe with Pumpkin & Quinoa Raw Coated Kibble Wholesome Grains Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Salmon Recipe with Pumpkin & Quinoa Raw Coated Kibble Wholesome Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 21 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Grass-Fed Lamb & Ancient Grains Recipe Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Grass-Fed Lamb & Ancient Grains Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 21 on the labelNulo Gently-Cooked Meals Small Breed Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Frozen Dog FoodNuloNulo Gently-Cooked Meals Small Breed Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 22 on the labelNulo Gently-Cooked Meals Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Frozen Dog FoodNuloNulo Gently-Cooked Meals Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 22 on the labelSmallbatch Pork Sliders Freeze-Dried Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Pork Sliders Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 22 on the labelHealth Extension food Grain Free Chunky Chicken Stew Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension food Grain Free Chunky Chicken Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 22 on the labelHealth Extension food Grain Free Savory Beef Stew Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension food Grain Free Savory Beef Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 22 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Thanksgiving Day Chicken & Turkey Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Thanksgiving Day Chicken & Turkey Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 22 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Wild-Caught Whitefish, Ancient Grains & Salmon Recipe Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Wild-Caught Whitefish, Ancient Grains & Salmon Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 22 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Cage-Free Duck & Ancient Grains Recipe Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Cage-Free Duck & Ancient Grains Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 22 on the labelNulo Gently-Cooked Meals Small Breed Chicken & Quinoa Recipe Frozen Dog FoodNuloNulo Gently-Cooked Meals Small Breed Chicken & Quinoa Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 23 on the labelNulo Gently-Cooked Meals Chicken & Quinoa Recipe Frozen Dog FoodNuloNulo Gently-Cooked Meals Chicken & Quinoa Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 23 on the labelSmallbatch Raw Duck Sliders Frozen Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Raw Duck Sliders Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 23 on the labelSmallbatch Frozen Raw Lamb Patties Frozen Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Frozen Raw Lamb Patties Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 23 on the labelWellness Complete Health Venison & Salmon Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Complete Health Venison & Salmon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 23 on the labelWellness Complete Health Turkey Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Complete Health Turkey Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 23 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Evaluation of a plant-based food supplement to control flea populations in dogs: A prospective double-blind randomized study International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 2020 // Journal
  2. 2 Effect of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) Used in Diets with Extruded Flaxseed on the Antioxidant and Lipid Profile of the Blood and Tissues of Fattening Pigs Antioxidants, 2023 // Journal
  3. 3 Evaluation of Thymus vulgaris and Thymbra spicata essential oils and plant extracts for chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties Food Science & Nutrition, 2019 // Journal
  4. 4 Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil obtained from the flowering aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris L. and/or Thymus zygis L. (thyme oil) for use in all animal species EFSA Journal, 2025 // Regulator
  5. 5 Standard for Dried Thyme Codex Alimentarius Commission, 2022 // Regulator
  6. 6 Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Thyme ASPCA Animal Poison Control, n.d. // Nonprofit
  7. 7 Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Spanish Thyme ASPCA Animal Poison Control, n.d. // Nonprofit
  8. 8 Salmon Complete Dry Dog Food with Insect | Novel Protein & Grain Free | Pooch & Mutt Pooch & Mutt, n.d. // Industry
  9. 9 Verve Grain Free Dog Food | Adult | Salmon & Turkey | Calibra Calibra, n.d. // Industry
  10. 10 Animal Food Labeling and Pet Food Claims U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. // Regulator
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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