It’s Friday night and my best friends and owners are finally spending some time with me. They go out 5 days a week for about 8 hours and then they come back before doing it again.
I don’t know where they go but I’m just happy they’re back for the weekend. The only problem is that they are sitting down to a full meal which I want to eat. I’m a good boy so I don’t jump up to steal food but one item of food is catching my eye.
I have stared at it for 5 minutes and my owner has noticed. He said that the food is chili and that he isn’t sure if I can eat it. I understand his concern but now I need to know if I can eat this delicious-looking snack or not.
If you want to know if I and other dogs can eat chili, continue reading to discover if it is safe for us to consume. I’ve just asked my next-door neighbor, Pippin, to see if she knows, and thankfully, she has told me everything about chilis and whether they are safe for dogs to eat.
If you’re in a hurry, we can technically eat chilis as they are not poisonous but eating too many can cause discomfort and digestive issues so it is best to avoid feeding us any.
Pippin said she tried one once and didn’t like the taste so most dogs won’t find them very flavorsome either.
Let’s get our paws on some interesting facts and find out if dogs can eat chilis.
Can dogs eat chili?
If you have been feeding your pup spicy foods such as chilis, it is crucial you find out all the facts about this fruit (I thought they were a vegetable too!)
Luckily, dogs are known for our ability to consume just about anything, whether it’s food or not. However, this doesn’t mean that all of this is good for us.
Some foods can be very harmful and even kill us. When it comes to chilis, giving us some of your leftovers with small amounts of chili shouldn’t have a huge negative impact on us. On the other hand, we may end up making a mess on your carpet or flooring.
Generally speaking, dogs can eat small amounts of chili without it being fatal but we will probably suffer from short-term digestion problems such as indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea.
One of my friends from the park, Scamp, said he licked up some chili sauce his owner spilled before and they were very worried. Upon ringing the vet, they were informed to keep a healthy supply of water near him and make sure he went outside regularly for toilet breaks.
If your pooch starts to vomit or has been suffering from diarrhea for an extended amount of time, it could lead to dehydration which can be very serious. If this continues for several hours, you should seek help and advice from a professional veterinarian.
Us dogs are just like you humans. We need a healthy and balanced diet to stay fit and active too and support our immune system.
Dogs should stay away from green chilis especially. These contain high levels of capsaicin which is a naturally occurring chemical that results in chilis feeling hot. This is very unhealthy for dogs as this compound doesn’t sit very well in our tummies.
Possible symptoms to keep an eye on
If I or any other dog eats a chili, we will probably suffer from stomach issues so it is not recommended you feed us any.
If you think your dog has eaten a chili, here are some signs to look out for:
- Indigestion
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Burping (gassy)
- Drinking a lot of water
If you are concerned, get advice from a veterinarian and they will help make your dog feel better.
Can dogs eat spicy food?
Since you like to add a little spice to most of your meals, you may think it’s okay to add some to ours, but is this safe?
No matter how much we beg for spicy food, it is not safe to add a little Sriracha or chili powder to our food. Spicy foods can be toxic to us and cause pain and digestive problems. This can lead to excessive thirst and the need to vomit.
So keep your spicy foods to yourself and leave us with our dog food which has all the nutrients and vitamins we need to stay strong, happy, and healthy.
Can dogs taste spicy foods?
Contrary to popular belief, I and my canine friends have fewer taste buds than humans. You have around 9,000 different taste buds while dogs only have about 1,700 and these are nowhere near as sensitive to flavors as humans are.
You may love the extra kick a spice gives a meal but giving it to me and other dogs is pointless as we won’t taste any difference. All it will do is leave us with an upset stomach and digestive tract and your carpet needing a clean.
If you want to mix up your dog’s diet, just try different flavors of our favorite dog food if possible. On behalf of most dogs though, we are very happy eating the same dog food every day. And treats of course. We love treats!
You should also consider a dog’s sense of smell. While you have 5 million scent receptors, dogs have 300 million so we can smell a lot more than you (this isn’t always a good thing).
Ever smelled cumin powder? Think of how strong that is to you and imagine what it may be like to us. This could have a serious impact on our senses.
In Summary
No matter how much we beg for your chili or spicy foods, it is best to avoid feeding us any.
Unless you want a pet with an upset stomach and a messy floor, you should leave your dog to his own food instead of putting him at risk from human food.
I just heard the biscuit jar opening! Time to go!
