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Do you love eating spicy food? Who doesn’t enjoy a spicy meal every so often? And if you have a cat, she may also be curious about the spicy food you’re eating. But can you give a cat spicy food? Can cats safely eat spicy food?
Has your cat eaten spicy food? Are you worried that spicy food will make your cat sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your cat eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about spicy food and whether it can make a cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Spicy Food?
Spicy food is made with ingredients that may include peppers, hot sauce, curry, and more. These and other spices add a hot taste and feel to meals that some people love.
A chemical called capsaicin usually produces a fiery taste in the food. This is a chemical found in peppers and other foods. It can produce a mild spicy flavor or an intensely hot flavor! It depends on the type of pepper used or the amount of hot sauce, and more.
While spicy food is usually safe for humans, what about cats? Can cats eat spicy food?
Spicy Food & Cats
Unfortunately, spicy food and cats don’t mix well. The problem is that a cat’s digestive system was not developed to eat spicy foods. Spicy food can cause problems with a cat’s mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. The result can be some very unpleasant symptoms.
What’s more, scientists don’t believe that cats are able to taste spicy foods. That’s because they don’t have as many taste buds as a human. But even if they can’t taste spicy food, cats can still experience the burning sensation caused by the capsaicin in many of these dishes.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Spicy Food Ingestion in Cats
You may notice these symptoms if your cat eats spicy food:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, it’s best to call the vet.
Treatment of Spicy Food Ingestion in Cats
The vet has medications that can stop your cat’s diarrhea and vomiting. They can also treat your kitty’s stomach irritation and other symptoms. And if your fur baby has burns in her mouth or throat, the vet will also treat these issues.
In most cases, your cat will make a full recovery. However, it’s best never to allow your cat to eat spicy food. You’ll both be happier for it!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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