Do you enjoy eating hot peppers? Many people do! Hot peppers can be found in everything from Indian & Asian cuisine to Mexican and other dishes! But what happens if a dog eats hot peppers? Are hot peppers safe for dogs?
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Has your dog eaten hot peppers? Are you worried the hot peppers will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something he shouldn’t.
In this article, we’ll take a look at hot peppers and whether or not they can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
What are Hot Peppers?
Hot peppers come in a wide variety of types. Did you know there are over 150 different types of hot peppers? What’s more, each type has its own flavor and level of hotness. If you cook, then you know that recipes call for specific types of peppers. It’s because each type is unique!
There’s a substance in peppers that makes them hot. This is called capsaicin. This substance strongly irritates a dog’s digestive system.
One of the hottest peppers around is the habanero. This is a very small pepper, which packs a lot of heat! These peppers are often used in sauces and other foods to add color and spiciness.
Another popular hot pepper is the cayenne pepper, which is red. This pepper also is pretty spicy! And we can’t forget the jalapeno pepper. Many people feel that these peppers are only mild; however, to others, these green peppers can be pretty hot!
While humans can safely eat peppers, what about dogs? Can hot peppers make dogs sick?
Hot Peppers & Dogs
Unfortunately, hot peppers are not good for dogs. While hot peppers are not toxic, the capsaicin they contain can make a dog sick. Their systems are not attuned to naturally eating spicy foods. This means that hot pepper is way too spicy for a dog. Dogs that eat more than one hot pepper may suffer digestive tract issues.
In addition, the more peppers your dog has eaten, the worse it is. His symptoms will be even more pronounced than if he had only eaten one pepper.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Hot Pepper Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten hot peppers:
- Indigestion
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
If you notice these symptoms in your dog, call the vet right away. This may not be an emergency, but your dog may have quite a bit of stomach pain and feel pretty bad at this point. So, he needs to be checked by the vet.
The vet will have medication that will ease your dog’s symptoms and help him feel better faster!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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