Did you see the virus TikTok Dog Hot Sauce Challenge? While this challenge is going viral on TikTok and other social media platforms, it’s not good for dogs.
As the name suggests, the “challenge” is feeding dogs hot sauce. Generally, people give dogs meat like chicken smothered in hot sauce, and they record their dog’s response and upload it to the internet.
Can dogs eat hot sauce?
From the videos it appears that the dogs don’t like the hot sauce. The videos often capture the dogs who seem excited before they get scared and confused when they try the hot sauce. Is Spicy Sauce Dangerous For Dogs?
If this challenge sounds like a bad idea to you, you’re right, says Dr. Tory Waxman, Chief Veterinary Officer and co-founder of the human dog food brand Sunday for Dogs, Inc. Hot sauce may be delicious to some people, but you don’t want to give it to your dog.
While it’s likely that your dog doesn’t like the taste of the hot sauce, the food can also make them sick and uncomfortable. Feeding your dog hot sauce can “cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract including the mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestines,” explains Dr. Waxman. Symptoms of gastrointestinal irritation may include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Why is hot sauce dangerous for dogs?
Hot sauce is full of ingredients that are not good for dogs to eat.
“Capsacin is the active ingredient in chili peppers that gives them their flavor. The capsacin level varies greatly depending on the type of pepper in the hot sauce, but it is the active ingredient in the hot sauce that irritates the gastrointestinal system, ”explains Dr. Waxman.
Many hot sauces also contain vinegar, which can also cause gastrointestinal irritation in dogs.
If you’ve seen the TikTok Dog Hot Sauce Challenge, you might be wondering, “Can dogs eat hot sauce?” Photo: katerinasergeevna / Getty Images
If your dog has eaten hot sauce, here are the symptoms to look out for
Dr. Waxman points out that milder cases of dogs ingesting hot sauce can irritate the dog’s mouth, stomach, esophagus, and intestines. In moderate to severe cases, consuming hot sauce “can lead to ulcers in the mouth, esophagus and stomach”. In these more severe cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia or refusal to eat, and abdominal pain. Dogs with these symptoms should be evaluated and treated by their veterinarian.
If your dog accidentally ingests hot sauce, consult with your veterinarian to determine the next steps you should take and whether it is okay to monitor your dog at home or when your dog is in an emergency – Need to bring the vet clinic.
Giving your dog hot sauce runs the risk of damaging your relationship with your dog
Aside from the risk of making your dog sick, there are other great reasons not to get caught up in the TikTok craze and give your dog hot sauce.
“Please, please, as a vet and dog lover, I urge you not to feed your dog hot sauce. In addition to the potential health consequences, your dog will eat what you feed him because he trusts you – and you don’t want to violate that special bond in any way, ”says Dr. Waxman.
Dog is looking for safety, security and care with us. We want our dogs to trust us. The last thing we should do is purposely cause them harm or discomfort just to get a laugh on social media.
Featured image: Enes Evren / Getty Images
Continue reading:Which spices are safe for dogs?
