Can dogs eat spicy food?

Raw, cooked and other forms of spicy food

• Skip itJalapeños, chili peppers, cayenne They contain capsaicin, which PetMD says can cause a painful burning feeling in the throat and stomach. AKC says never give spicy pepper varieties.
• Skip itChili powder and capsaicin seasonings PetMD: never feed food seasoned with capsaicin spices like chili powder.
• ToxicHot sauce, salsa, curry and other spicy dishes These often contain onion or garlic, which are toxic to dogs in every form, including powders (VCA). Check the ingredients and treat it as an onion/garlic exposure.
• A littlePlain bell peppers Bell peppers have no capsaicin. PetMD and AKC say plain bell pepper is fine in small amounts, with no seasoning.

Why dogs should skip spicy food

Capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers hot, irritates the throat and stomach. The bigger danger in spicy dishes is often onion and garlic (Allium plants), which can damage red blood cells.

Signs to watch for after she eats spicy food

From the heat: signs of a burning mouth, throat or stomach, plus upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea. If the food had onion or garlic: drooling, vomiting, belly pain and diarrhea, and with larger amounts weakness, fast heart rate, fast or hard breathing, pale gums and red-colored urine.

What to do if your dog ate too much spicy food

If she licked a little hot sauce or ate a bite of a plain hot pepper, give her fresh water and watch her. Call your vet if stomach upset doesn't get better within 24 hours, or right away if she is lethargic, keeps vomiting or looks dehydrated. If the food had onion or garlic in it (most curries, salsas and many hot sauces do), call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away, even if she seems fine.