Pico de gallo, guacamole, or simply fresh, jalapenos are delicious and have been spicing up our foods for over 6,000 years.
And, they’re not just tasty either, jalapenos are packed with a range of vitamins and minerals.
Jalapenos can give thousands of dishes the perfect kick, making it essential in many people’s kitchens.
But what happens if our pupperino gets a hold of one? Is it good for them or bad? Can it cause severe issues or even potentially kill them?
Well, let’s get down to the bottom of this issue and find out.
What Are The Benefits of Jalapenos
Containing just 4 calories but a truckload of fiber, vitamins like A, C, K, and B6, and an amazing healing compound called capsaicin, Jalapenos are some of the healthiest most flavorful foods around.
Capsaicin, the same compound that gives peppers’ their spicy flavor, has been linked to reducing diabetic insulin spikes, relieving pain, and can kick the metabolism into gear for accelerated fat loss.
The benefits of people eating jalapenos are clear, but can our dogs join us and reap the same benefits? Let’s find out!
Can Dogs Eat Jalapenos Peppers?
Technically dogs can eat jalapenos as they contain no toxic compounds. However, it may not be the best idea to give your dog a jalapeno.
Jalapenos can be hard on your dog’s digestive system, especially if they consume a lot of them.
Most dog’s digestive systems aren’t used to spicy foods, and they really shouldn’t be as it’s not something found in their natural diet.
While bigger breeds might be OK with the teeniest tiniest levels of mild spiciness, small breeds are out of the question.
Can dogs eat jalapeno chips
Like most chips, jalapeno chips aren’t the best nutritionally for your dog. As a treat here and there, giving your dog a jalapeno chip shouldn’t cause a problem.
Be warned that some with sensitive stomachs may experience some gas or diarrhea.
Can dogs eat pickled jalapenos
Pickled jalapenos fall under the same rule as regular or fresh jalapenos. That means it’s probably best you don’t give them to your dog.
As well, some brands of pickled jalapenos may include onions, which are toxic to dogs or high levels of sodium.
Can a Jalapeno Kill a Dog?
It’s extremely unlikely for a jalapeno to kill a dog. They likely have to be on the smaller side, allergic, and consume more than one. It’s possible, but there appears to be no reports of it ever happening.
Are Jalapenos Bad for Dogs?
While eating jalapenos can really give our health a boost and helping hand, for dogs the benefits are too minimal to take the risk of them making them sick.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Jalapeno?
It all depends on how much your dog eats, and how sensitive they are to spicy foods. Some dogs may feel nothing from it, especially if they only consume a little and are on the bigger side.
However, it’s not unheard of hearing some dogs experiencing a number of side effects from consuming a jalapeno. Side effects include digestive issues such as pain, inflammation, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
It’s really not worth the risk.
Can Dogs Eat Spicy Food?
It’s recommended that you never give your dog spicy foods because the spiciness can make them terribly sick.
However, many spicy foods are not inherently toxic to dogs. Though you do need to watch as heavy onion and garlic use is used frequently in spicy dishes and sauces. Onions, especially, are very toxic.
The spicier the food, the more likely it is to upset your dog’s digestive system. And while spicy food may not make your dog sick, they normally won’t consume spicy food unless prompted to.
Humans and Tree Shrews are the only two mammals known to deliberately seek out spicy food.
What Happens if a Dog Eats Spicy Food?
Dogs can suffer a long list of side effects from consuming spicy food including: intestinal & stomach pain, inflammation, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. In addition, spicy foods often contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
All-and-all, spicy foods can and have sent dogs to the veterinarian for emergency medical attention.
It’s better to play it safe rather than sorry and avoid giving your dog spicy food. However, you do not necessarily need to panic if they accidentally consume some.
It’s always best to give your veterinarian a call if you have concerns about your dog accidentally eating something they shouldn’t. Keep in mind, that emergency vet visits can be pricey, so it’s better to prepare yourself for any situation with a dog emergency fund.
My Dog Ate a Jalapeno or Another Spicy Food! What do I do?
The first you need to do is determine just what your dog ate and how much of it. Jalapenos are non-toxic to dogs, but many spicy foods have toxic ingredients like onions.
If the ingredient is toxic, call your veterinarian if you believe they have eaten too much of it.
A single jalapeno is likely to only cause mild discomfort and maybe some pain, and big dogs may not experience any issues whatsoever.
Regardless, make sure you monitor your dog for symptoms of spicy food consumption and food poisoning. Vomiting and diarrhea may occur, but they should not last long or be frequent.
If your dog stops eating, consult your vet. You never want your dog or cat to miss more than one meal, as it could indicate a very serious issue.
It’s important to remember that just because your dog ate a jalapeno before, or part of one, and was fine, doesn’t mean they will be next time. Spicy food is a foreign substance to a dog’s digestive tract, and it may not handle it the same way each time it comes across it.
Humans are pretty weird and can really handle a lot. And we think our dogs are the garbage disposal.
Conclusion
So, can dogs eat jalapenos? They can, but they probably shouldn’t as it may make them sick.
We humans have a brilliant digestive system that can often have a vast array of foods thrown at it without suffering a hiccup. Our dogs, not so much. And this goes for all spicy foods too. Leave the spiciness to humans.
