Can dogs eat hot sauce? No. You might think hot sauce is the best thing on earth when it comes to seasoning your food, but it’s too harsh on a dog’s digestive system. The origins of hot sauce date back to 7000 B.C. in Southern Mexico.
The Aztecs created chili mixtures to flavor their food and use for medicinal purposes. Common hot sauce ingredients found in today’s most popular brands include chili peppers, lemon juice, lime juice, vegetables, salt, seasonings, garlic, chili peppers, sugar, and vinegar.
Each brand has its own recipe that includes more ingredients than the ones already mentioned. The ingredients might not sound bad, but garlic is toxic for dogs, and salt can lead to dehydration and high blood pressure in dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Hot Sauce?
What about chili peppers?
Can dogs eat hot sauce? No, but what about chili peppers?
Bell peppers and sweet peppers are tolerable to dogs and are often found as an ingredient in dry or wet dog foods. However, chili peppers are spicy and hot, which can cause your dog to experience burning in its mouth, throat, and stomach. It can also lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
While chili peppers alone are not toxic to dogs, the ingredients in the hot sauce are and can seriously harm your dog.
I see other people feeding hot sauce to their dog, why can’t I? A popular challenge on social media platforms shows pet owners feeding their dogs a small piece of meat with hot sauce on it to their dogs. The dog’s reaction is harsh and obvious that it’s not pleasing.
Unfortunately, the dog owners did not record the side effects that happened to their dogs afterward. Chances are some dogs experienced stomach upset while others were poisoned by toxic ingredients such as garlic and onions.
It’s not recommended to feed your dog hot sauce because of the risk of harming your pet. If you have any doubt about whether your dog should have hot sauce or not, consult with a veterinarian for further assistance.
Symptoms of Poisoning in Dogs
If your dog has already consumed hot sauce, keep an eye out for the following signs of poisoning in dogs.
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Lethargy
- Foaming of the mouth
- Acting like they are chewing on something
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty breathing
- Burns or sores in their mouth
- Swelling of the mouth, tongue, or face
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Fever or extreme cold body temperature
Alternative Tasty Treats for Dogs
Your intention to feed your dog hot sauce is coming from a good place because you want to treat your dog to a tasty treat. However, hot sauce is not recommended. Instead, you can make your dog these tasty homemade biscuits for your pet to enjoy.
Bacon and Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Ingredients:
- 3 strips of cooked and chopped bacon
- 1 cup of peanut butter
- ¾ cup of oat milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups of whole wheat flour
- 1/3 cup of oats
- 1 tbsp of baking powder
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper
- Combine the egg, oat milk, and peanut butter in a mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, add the baking powder and flour and mix together.
- Add the flour to the peanut butter mixture, then add the oats and bacon bits.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured flat surface to ¼ inch thickness.
- Cut the dough into squares or use a cookie cutter to create shapes.
- Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Allow to cool and serve to your dog.
- Store the remaining biscuits in the refrigerator or freezer in a sealed container or plastic zip-lock bag.
Bottom Line
Can dogs eat hot sauce? No. Veterinarians don’t recommend it. But you can find alternative food options or cook homemade treats that your dog will truly enjoy. Remember, hot sauce is exceptionally spicy for dogs and causes them discomfort.
If your dog accidentally consumed hot sauce and shows signs of an allergic reaction or poisoning, bring them to a veterinarian immediately.
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