Is Hot Sauce Bad For Dogs?

Perhaps spicing up your food and treats with hot sauce and peppers is something you overly enjoy. While eating, your dog may also want to taste whatever you have. The question, however, is whether it is okay for your dog to ingest a bit of hot sauce or other spicy toppings and additives in their food.

The Origin Of Hot Sauce

Hot sauce originally hailed from Southern Mexico in 7000 B.C. It was cultivated by the Aztecs, who primarily used it for commercial and domestic purposes to add taste and spice to their food. Columbus Christopher then took and introduced it into India and Europe, from where it spread and was used in many dishes local to those states.

Today, it has spread worldwide and comes in wide varieties under different production companies.

General hot sauce ingredients include chili peppers, salt, vinegar, seasonings, vegetables, and juice extracted from lemon, lime, or other citrus fruits.

Is It Right To Feed Hot Sauce To A Dog?

The answer is a hard no. Dogs should not have hot sauce in whatever form or amount. Humans and dogs have multiple similarities, but their body reactions to different foods vary. There are some good-for-human foods you cannot feed your puppy.

For instance, feeding your canine hot sauce causes more harm than good, from discomfort, stomach ache, diarrhea to bloating. Spicy foods also cause your dog to be excessively thirsty.

Related: Can Dogs Eat Human Food?

The Big Issue

Hot sauce is made of ingredients considered not good for dogs. Capsaicin is the active element in chili peppers, providing them with spice. Capsaicin is not toxic for dogs but puts them at risk of extreme irritation in their gastrointestinal system. Moreover, it stays on the lips and tongue for long periods after being consumed, and this can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

To add flavor, some manufacturers include other ingredients, such as onions and garlic. These are toxic to dogs even when taken in small amounts. Onions could destroy your dog’s red blood cells, while garlic may cause anemia.

Other manufacturers add vinegar to hot chili sauce, which is a risk factor for a dog’s stomach system.

Note: The smaller the dog’s body, the more at risk they are, and this heightens even more with the dog’s age; the younger the dog, the more vulnerable they are.

Other Reasons You Should Not Share Hot Sauce With Your Pup

Besides the health repercussions, you risk denting your relationship with your dog by feeding them hot sauce and spicy foods. A dog looks to their owner for reassurance, care, and safety. It is good for a dog to trust its owner, and you never want to hurt that special close bond. You don’t want to cause them harm or any discomfort intentionally.

Besides, most dogs don’t prefer spicy foods and may not even taste them. Humans have 9,000 different taste buds, while dogs have about 1,700. Thus your dog may not enjoy a hotly spiced meal like you do.

What To Do If Your Dog Accidentally Takes Hot Sauce?

If a dog has taken a lick of hot sauce, it can experience irritation, swelling, or ulceration on the mouth, stomach, esophagus, and intestines.

In more severe instances, signs and symptoms could be anorexia or defiance to eat, vomiting, abdominal pains, and diarrhea.

If you observe any of the above impacts on your dog, immediately reach out to a veterinarian and seek guidance on the next step.

Final Thought

Do not feed your dog anything with hot sauce. This is inclusive of both commercial and homemade chili. Hot sauce is bad for your dog on any day.

Keep any hot sauce or spicy ingredients out of your dog’s reach to avoid accidents.