Do you enjoy eating jalapeño peppers? Many people do! Jalapeños are enjoyed for the spicy, hot taste they add to many types of cuisine. But what happens if a cat eats jalapeños?
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Has your cat eaten jalapeños? Are you worried the jalapeños will make your cat sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when a cat eats something he shouldn’t.
In this article, we’ll take a look at jalapeños and whether or not they can make a cat sick. Let’s get started!
What are Jalapeños?
Jalapeños are a type of medium-sized peppers, which have a mild to moderate amount of heat (spiciness). They’re commonly used in everything from chili to salsa and more. Some people even eat jalapeños straight, without anything else!
The peppers originally came from the state of Veracruz in Mexico, and the name of the peppers comes from the state’s capital, which is Xalapa.
Did you know that jalapeños belong to the nightshade family? This means they’re related to potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and more. Jalapeños are a spicy member of the nightshade family. They get their heat from a substance called capsaicin.
While humans enjoy eating jalapeños, are they safe for cats? Can cats eat jalapeños?
Jalapeños & Cats
In short, jalapeños are not good for cats. While they’re not toxic to cats, the capsaicin they contain can cause problems for a cat’s sensitive digestive tract. The capsaicin may cause burns in the mouth, esophagus, and other parts of the digestive tract.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Jalapeño Ingestion in Cats
You may notice these symptoms if your cat has eaten jalapeños:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Burns on paws, face
- Skin irritation
- Wheezing/difficulty breathing
If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, then it’s time to call the vet. Be sure to let the vet know about how many jalapeños or how much of the pepper your cat has eaten. Also, tell them about when your cat ate the jalapeño(s). This information can help the vet.
Treatment of Jalapeño Ingestion in Cats
Treatment will depend on your cat’s symptoms. If he has vomiting and diarrhea, the vet has medications that can stop these issues. The vet may also provide medication to help your cat’s stomach settle, especially if it has suffered irritation from the jalapeños.
In addition, if your cat has had continuous vomiting and diarrhea, the vet may treat your cat with IV fluids. These help to rehydrate your fur baby. And the vet will treat other symptoms as they arise, such as skin irritation, burns in the mouth, and more.
The good news is that most cats will make a full recovery after eating jalapeños. However, we bet the cat won’t be so eager to eat a jalapeño in the future!
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Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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