Jalapeños are a popular type of chili pepper that packs a serious punch in terms of heat. They’re commonly used in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine and can add a lot of flavor to our dishes.
But what about our furry friends? Can dogs eat jalapeños? Learn about the effects one of our favorite fruit vegetables can have on your puppy’s digestive system.
Can Dogs Eat Jalapeños
While most people know that jalapeños are spicy, not everyone knows that they can actually be dangerous for dogs. The active ingredient in jalapeños, capsaicin, is an irritant that can cause digestive issues and lead to vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, capsaicin can cause irritation to the mucous membranes, leading to excessive panting and drooling. In severe cases, it can even cause burns to the skin and tongue.
You always have to keep in mind that dogs have very few taste buds compared to humans, so even the least spicy pepper will cause an unpleasant burning sensation—this is why you should carefully choose the canned food for your dog.
For all the above reasons, it’s best to avoid giving jalapeños to dogs altogether. If your dog does manage to eat a jalapeño, it’s important to monitor it closely and contact a veterinarian if it starts showing any signs of distress.
When we consider the other food we consume on a daily basis, it’s always best to double-check if it’s safe to offer it to dogs. We know that garlic and onion are also harmful to a dog’s digestive system, for example.
Can a Jalapeño Kill a Dog
If you still aren’t convinced whether dogs can have jalapeños, this might help prevail.
As these tasty chili peppers contain capsaicin, which gives them their heat flavor, it can cause serious tummy issues for your pup. Usually, it takes a large volume of jalapeños to kill a dog. Still, some puppies are more sensitive than others; even one could be enough to lead to a dangerous, life-threatening situation.
It’s best not to use them as a snack for your dog, not even in small doses. Here are some health complications a dog digesting them can lead to:
- Bloating and excessive thirst,
- Stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal issues,
- Vomiting and diarrhea.
There are other peppers that are beneficial to your dog’s nutrition, so instead of jalapeños, you can give it a sweeter, more nutritious treat, like bell pepper.
Are Dogs Allergic to Jalapeños
Although they’re not that common, jalapeño allergies are quite possible. Dogs can develop canine allergies to any substance that they ever come in contact with. In fact, puppies that have already established some kind of food allergy are more likely to develop another one.
If your pet has a jalapeño allergy, you’ll notice some of these symptoms:
- Bald patches,
- Chronic ear infections,
- Coughing,
- Chronically inflamed feet,
- Vomiting,
- Wheezing.
Even though it’s a rare occurrence, you might notice that your dog is having trouble breathing, seizures, and an elevated heartbeat. These are all signs of an anaphylactic shock, and it should be treated immediately. If this does happen, take your pet to the nearest vet as soon as possible.
My Dog Ate a Jalapeño: What Now
You left your pup unsupervised, and now it stumbled and gorged down some jalapeños? Although it sounds worrying, there’s no need to panic. We assembled a few tips for you to try and soothe the situation:
- Take the peppers away from your dog;
- Give them water and curb their anxiety;
- Establish exactly what and how much was eaten;
- Contact your vet;
- Follow the vet’s further advice.
If your pup gets diarrhea, you can relieve the symptoms by feeding it natural home remedies like plain oatmeal or canned pumpkin.
You can also try adding cow milk to his water bowl. Apart from being successful in diminishing stomach pain, it will also make your pup more fond of drinking water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are jalapeños toxic to dogs?
While they are not necessarily toxic, jalapeños are definitely bad for dogs. Even one of these capsicums will cause severe stomach distress, so be careful and try your best to avoid them.
Can dogs have cooked jalapeños?
Dogs shouldn’t be served jalapeños, no matter if they are raw or cooked. The issue is that puppies can’t eat spicy food, and even though jalapeños are mild and rank low on the Scoville Scale, they are still too much for your pet to handle.
Can dogs eat habanero?
Whatever you do, don’t feed your dog habanero peppers. They contain high levels of capsaicin which irritates the pup’s digestive system and causes serious burns, dehydration, and diarrhea, among other things.
Can dogs eat tomatoes?
Pups are allowed to eat tomatoes, but only in moderation. However, you mustn’t forget to remove the leaves and the stems since they contain high levels of solanine and tomatine, which are extremely toxic to your dog.
Key Takeaways
Can dogs eat jalapeños?
Although these peppers are mildly spicy compared to other types like the Trinidad Scorpion or the Carolina Reaper, pups will still suffer extreme tummy upsets even after eating one jalapeño.
So spear your puppy from any pain and keep these spicy peppers far from their reach.
