Is Frankincense Safe for Dogs? A Vet-Informed Guide for Owners
Is frankincense safe for dogs? Learn the risks of essential oils vs. edible resin, safe serving sizes, toxicity signs, and when to call your vet.
Is Frankincense Safe for Dogs? The Short Answer
Plain, food-grade frankincense resin (Boswellia serrata) is generally safe for dogs in small, controlled amounts when used as a supplement. However, frankincense essential oil is NOT safe for ingestion and can cause serious toxicity. The safety of frankincense for dogs depends entirely on the form: raw edible resin is low-risk, while concentrated oils, incense smoke, and flavored products pose significant dangers. Always consult your veterinarian before introducing any supplement to your dog's diet.
If you've been searching "is frankincense safe for dogs" because you've heard about its anti-inflammatory benefits, you're not alone. Boswellia has gained traction in the canine supplement world, particularly for joint support in aging dogs. But the line between a beneficial supplement and a toxic exposure is thinner than most pet owners realize.
Frankincense comes from the resin of Boswellia trees, primarily Boswellia serrata, Boswellia carterii, and Boswellia sacra. In human herbal medicine, it's been used for centuries. For dogs, the evidence is more limited, and the risks depend heavily on preparation, concentration, and your dog's individual health profile.
Understanding the Different Forms of Frankincense
Before we talk serving sizes, it's critical to understand that "frankincense" isn't one product. Each form carries a different risk profile for your dog.
| Form | Safe for Dogs? | Risk Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food-grade raw resin (tears) | Yes, in small amounts | Low | Must be pure, unscented, food-grade certified |
| Boswellia extract capsules (canine-formulated) | Yes, per label | Low | Look for veterinary-formulated products with boswellic acid percentage listed |
| Frankincense essential oil (ingested) | NO | High | Highly concentrated; can cause liver damage, neurological symptoms |
| Frankincense essential oil (topical) | No | High | Dogs lick their skin; ingestion risk remains |
| Burning frankincense incense (smoke) | No | Moderate-High | Respiratory irritant; risky for brachycephalic breeds |
| Frankincense-flavored human foods | Caution | Variable | Often contains xylitol, chocolate, or other toxic additives |
The ASPCA's toxic plant database does not list Boswellia as explicitly toxic to dogs, but this applies to the raw plant resin — not concentrated essential oils. Essential oils, in general, are flagged by veterinary toxicologists as risky for pets due to their potency and dogs' limited ability to metabolize certain terpenes.
Safe Serving Sizes by Dog Weight
If your veterinarian has approved food-grade frankincense resin or a canine Boswellia supplement, here are the typical serving guidelines based on body weight. These apply to food-grade resin only, not essential oils.
| Dog Weight | Raw Resin (Food-Grade) | Standardized Boswellia Extract (65% Boswellic Acids) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 20 lb / 9 kg) | 1 small tear (~50 mg), crushed | 50–100 mg | Once daily with food |
| Medium (20–50 lb / 9–23 kg) | 1–2 tears (~100–200 mg), crushed | 150–300 mg | Once daily with food |
| Large (50–90 lb / 23–41 kg) | 2–3 tears (~200–400 mg), crushed | 300–500 mg | Once to twice daily with food |
| Giant (90+ lb / 41+ kg) | 3–4 tears (~400–600 mg), crushed | 500–800 mg | Once to twice daily with food |
Important: These are starting doses. Your vet may adjust based on your dog's condition, particularly if using Boswellia for osteoarthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. A 2024 study published in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology found that boswellic acids at 10 mg/kg showed measurable anti-inflammatory effects in dogs with osteoarthritis over 8 weeks, but dosing should always be individualized.
How to Prepare Frankincense for Your Dog
Step 1: Source food-grade resin only. Look for products labeled "food-grade" or "edible" with Boswellia serrata listed as the species. Avoid craft-store resin or incense-grade tears, which may contain chemical accelerants or synthetic fragrance.
Step 2: Freeze the resin for easier handling. Raw frankincense tears are sticky and difficult to crush at room temperature. Place them in a sealed bag in the freezer for 15–20 minutes.
Step 3: Crush into a fine powder. Use a clean mortar and pestle or wrap in parchment and crush with a rolling pin. Fine powder reduces choking risk and improves digestibility.
Step 4: Mix into food. Sprinkle the crushed resin over your dog's regular meal. The resin has a mildly bitter, pine-like taste — mixing it with wet food or a small amount of plain pumpkin puree (unsweetened) can mask the flavor.
Step 5: No heat, no seasoning. Do not cook the resin or combine it with garlic, onion, salt, or other seasonings. Heat can alter the chemical composition, and common seasonings are toxic to dogs.
If you opt for a commercial canine Boswellia supplement instead of raw resin, choose products that display a National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal and list the boswellic acid concentration on the label.
Nutritional and Therapeutic Benefits
Frankincense is not a significant source of macronutrients — it won't contribute meaningfully to your dog's daily protein, fat, or calorie needs. Its value lies in its bioactive compounds, specifically boswellic acids (acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, or AKBA, being the most studied).
| Component | Amount per 200 mg Raw Resin | Relevance to Dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Boswellic acids (total) | ~60–80 mg (varies by species) | Anti-inflammatory; 5-LOX enzyme inhibition |
| Volatile terpenes (pinene, limonene) | ~10–30 mg | Mild antimicrobial; also potential irritants at high doses |
| Dietary fiber (gum fraction) | ~60–80 mg | Minimal nutritional impact at supplement doses |
| Trace minerals (calcium, magnesium) | Negligible | Not a meaningful mineral source |
| Calories | <1 kcal | Essentially zero caloric impact |
The primary therapeutic application studied in dogs is osteoarthritis management. Boswellic acids inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), an enzyme in the inflammatory pathway, offering a different mechanism than NSAIDs like carprofen. Some veterinarians recommend Boswellia as an adjunct to conventional joint treatment, particularly for dogs who cannot tolerate long-term NSAID use due to kidney or liver concerns.
Emerging research also explores Boswellia for canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and certain cancers, but these applications remain under investigation and should only be pursued under veterinary oncology or internal medicine guidance.
Risks, Side Effects, and What Happens If Your Dog Eats Too Much
At recommended doses, food-grade frankincense resin is well-tolerated by most dogs. However, side effects and risks increase significantly with overdose or improper form.
Common Side Effects (Mild, at Recommended Doses)
- Mild gastrointestinal upset — soft stool, increased gas, occasional vomiting (typically within the first 3–5 days of introduction)
- Decreased appetite if the bitter taste is not masked
- Sticky residue around the mouth (from raw resin)
Signs of Overdose or Essential Oil Toxicity
- Vomiting (repeated or projectile)
- Diarrhea with blood or mucus
- Excessive drooling
- Lethargy or weakness
- Tremors or incoordination (ataxia)
- Difficulty breathing
- Liver enzyme elevation (detected on bloodwork)
Essential oil ingestion is a genuine emergency. Concentrated frankincense oil contains terpene compounds at levels 50–100x higher than raw resin. Dogs' livers lack certain glucuronidation pathways that humans use to process these compounds, making them more susceptible to hepatotoxicity.
- Your dog ingested frankincense essential oil (any amount)
- Vomiting persists beyond 2 episodes in 12 hours
- You observe tremors, stumbling, or collapse
- Your dog shows labored breathing after incense smoke exposure
- Bloody diarrhea develops within 24 hours of ingestion
ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (24/7, consultation fee applies)
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
Which Dogs Should NOT Have Frankincense
Even food-grade Boswellia is not appropriate for every dog. Skip frankincense supplementation entirely if your dog falls into any of these categories:
- Puppies under 12 months: Developing livers are less equipped to process terpenes and resin compounds. Stick to puppy-formulated joint supplements if needed.
- Pregnant or nursing dogs: Boswellia may stimulate uterine blood flow; safety data for canine pregnancy is lacking.
- Dogs with liver disease: Elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST) or diagnosed hepatic insufficiency means your dog's detoxification pathways are already compromised.
- Dogs on anticoagulant medications: Boswellic acids may have mild antiplatelet effects, potentially interacting with medications like clopidogrel or aspirin therapy.
- Dogs with known resin or pine allergies: Though rare, contact or ingestion allergies to tree resins can occur. Watch for facial swelling, hives, or pruritus (itching).
- Brachycephalic breeds exposed to incense smoke: Pugs, French Bulldogs, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers already have compromised airways (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, or BOAS). Burning frankincense incense adds particulate matter and volatile compounds to their environment — avoid entirely.
Related Foods and Products to Avoid
If you're exploring frankincense for your dog, you may also encounter these related products. Here's how they compare:
| Product | Safe for Dogs? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Myrrh (Commiphora resin) | Caution | Often combined with frankincense; limited canine safety data; may lower blood sugar |
| Copaiba oil | No (ingested) | Essential oil with similar terpene risks |
| Turmeric (Curcuma longa) | Yes, in appropriate doses | Often paired with Boswellia; safer evidence base for canine joint support |
| Pine resin / spruce gum | No | Not food-grade; may contain toxic terpenes and environmental contaminants |
| Frankincense-infused honey | Caution | Honey is safe in small amounts, but infused products may use essential oils rather than food-grade resin |
| CBD oil for dogs | Vet-dependent | Different mechanism entirely; discuss with your vet rather than combining with Boswellia without guidance |
How to Introduce Frankincense Safely
If your vet has given the green light, follow this introduction protocol:
- Day 1–3: Offer 25% of the target dose. For a 30 lb dog, that's roughly half a crushed resin tear (~50 mg) mixed into dinner.
- Day 4–7: Increase to 50% of target dose if no GI upset observed. Monitor stool consistency daily.
- Day 8–14: Increase to full target dose. Continue monitoring for appetite changes, vomiting, or behavioral changes.
- Week 3–4: Assess whether any therapeutic benefit is noticeable (improved mobility, reduced stiffness). If no change after 4–6 weeks, consult your vet — your dog may need a different approach.
Keep a simple log: date, dose given, meal context, and any observations. This data is invaluable at follow-up vet visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat frankincense resin?
Yes, dogs can eat small amounts of food-grade frankincense resin (Boswellia serrata). It is not toxic at recommended serving sizes. However, this applies only to plain, edible resin — not essential oils, incense sticks, or craft-grade resin. Always confirm with your veterinarian before starting any supplement.
How much frankincense can I give my dog?
For food-grade raw resin, the general guideline is approximately 10 mg per kg of body weight daily, divided into one or two doses. For a 25 lb (11 kg) dog, that's roughly 100–200 mg of crushed resin per day. For standardized extracts (65% boswellic acids), follow the manufacturer's label or your vet's recommendation, typically 150–300 mg for medium-sized dogs.
Is frankincense good for dogs nutritionally?
Frankincense does not provide meaningful macronutrients (protein, fat, carbs, vitamins, or minerals). Its value is therapeutic rather than nutritional — specifically, the anti-inflammatory boswellic acids may support joint health in dogs with osteoarthritis. It should be viewed as a supplement, not a food.
What happens if my dog eats too much frankincense?
Overdose of raw resin typically causes gastrointestinal distress: vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. These symptoms usually resolve within 24–48 hours with supportive care. However, ingestion of frankincense essential oil — even small amounts — can cause serious toxicity including liver damage and neurological symptoms. Contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately if essential oil is ingested.
How should I prepare frankincense for my dog?
Freeze food-grade resin tears for 15–20 minutes, then crush into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. Mix the powder into your dog's regular meal. Do not cook, heat, or add seasonings. If the taste is off-putting, blend with a small amount of plain canned pumpkin or wet food.
Are there any dogs who should not eat frankincense?
Yes. Avoid frankincense for puppies under 12 months, pregnant or nursing dogs, dogs with liver disease, dogs on blood-thinning medications, and dogs with known tree resin allergies. Brachycephalic breeds should never be exposed to burning frankincense incense due to respiratory risks.
Can I burn frankincense incense around my dog?
It is not recommended. Burning frankincense releases particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate your dog's respiratory tract. This is especially dangerous for brachycephalic breeds, dogs with kennel cough recovery, canine asthma, or any pre-existing respiratory condition. If you must burn incense, ensure your dog is in a separate, well-ventilated room.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before introducing new supplements, especially if your dog has existing health conditions or takes medications. For toxicity emergencies, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Priya Sutaria
All our authors care for dogs every day — read more of their work on the authors page.
