Can I give my dog a jalapeno?

The jalapeno is found in lots of recipes and people can’t seem to get enough of foods with spicy flavors. For sure this fiery pepper is tasty, but is it appropriate for sharing with the family dog?

Video: Lola the Dog and the Jalapeno Pepper! Funny!

Jalapenos aren’t particularly lethal or toxic for canines, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good choice. In fact, these hot peppers aren’t something you should be giving your pet. Let’s take a closer look at the reasoning for your dog’s sake.

Your pooch may be an opportunistic eater which means they aren’t fussy. This means it’s important to regulate what gets into their tummy. Jalapenos aren’t good for digestive health because dogs do not process spicy foods very well.

Video: [TM] Dog Eats World's Hottest Pepper by Accident (Hot Chili) 2016

Can I Give My Dog a Jalapeno? Answer: Not Recommended

You’re definitely not doing them any favors by providing this spicy pepper.

Video: Angry Ram eats hot peppers then gets sharted on

There are no health benefits to a dog eating a jalapeno pepper. On the other hand, there’s reason to believe that hot jalapenos can do some damage when given with any regularity. It’s therefore recommended that you do not give your dog of these peppers. Better yet, keep them away from Fido to prevent them from accidentally eating any.

Dogs & Spicy Foods

Dogs are not used to eating spicy things, especially if you’re feeding them a straight diet of dog food each day. Their digestive system is used to the predictable nature of the dog food they eat. Giving them a jalapeno is like throwing a wrench into the gears. Instead, bell peppers are much more suitable.

Your dog will do their best to get rid of foods that don’t agree with them, either through the back or the front. But it’s really not a good idea to give jalapenos in the first place in order to avoid giving your dog an unnecessary stomach ache. Besides, cleaning up the mess isn’t very fun, is it?

Accidental Ingestion

If your dog ate a jalapeno, or food containing jalapenos, without your consent you probably don’t have to worry about any long term problems. You should, however, prepare for some diarrhea and keep an eye on them over the next few hours to see how they’re doing.

Video: lurcher dog v jalapeno doing elvis lip

Sometimes, even if you don’t notice any negative symptoms, it’s a good idea to help soothe their digestive system with a time-tested remedy such as adding canned pumpkin to their dog food.

Many owners also like to confine their pets to an area that is easy to clean when they get into something they shouldn’t. But in all likelihood they’ll stop eating the peppers on their own, before eating so many that they have a bigger problem than they can handle. Luckily, jalapenos aren’t a food item that will likely result in a trip to the animal hospital.

Better Food Options

If you want to feed your dog something special, most times it’s not a good idea to give them table scraps or pieces of food that you’re eating. If your pup is begging for some of your food, including your jalapenos, have some dog treats on hand so that they can have a snack while you’re eating your meal.

In order to improve their behavior, you can wait until they stop begging and leave you alone. Then reward them with their own treat. This reinforces desirable canine behavior and they’ll eventually learn that if they let you eat in peace, good things will come to them.

Conclusion on Jalapenos

It’s good idea to keep spicy foods, which includes jalapeno peppers, far away from your dog. While we may enjoy their hot flavor and the rush of heat that hits the lips, dogs just aren’t well equipped to be digesting this sort of food. This is even true if your best buddy greatly enjoys eating them. While it may not be very dangerous in the short-term, a jalapeno here and there may cause your dog to have gastrointestinal issues down the road.

Reviews & Comments