Dogs are curious fellows.
So even if you’re peacefully eating sushi or a sandwich with wasabi at home…
Your Fido may not help but to beg for a bite.
Now, I know it’s hard to resist those cute sparkling eyes.
But before you offer your pooch some of this spicy condiment, think twice and…
Keep reading to learn:
- If dogs can eat wasabi.
- 7 shocking dangers of wasabi in dogs.
- The answer to “Do dogs like wasabi?”
- How much wasabi is harmful to canines.
- And a lot more…
Table of contents
Can dogs eat wasabi?
Dogs can’t eat wasabi. It’s not toxic, but it has an irritant compound called ‘allyl isothiocyanate.’ So eating a big lump of it can cause discomfort such as bad gas, bloating, upset tummy, breathing issues, or dehydration. And the reaction may be more severe in dogs with existing health issues.
Dog eating wasabi – 7 dangers
#1: Bad gas
Wasabi doesn’t have ‘capsaicin’ like hot peppers.
But it has ‘allyl isothiocyanate.’
It’s a substance behind a wasabi’s spicy taste.
And it’s known for producing a burning sensation, especially in the nose.
However, did you know that spicy food is among the top 9 things that give dogs gas?
So eating a large amount of wasabi can irritate your dog’s stomach lining. And cause your Fido’s tummy to be bloated.
“How will I know if my Fido has bad gas?”
Based on vets, the 3 common signs of bad gas or flatulence in dogs are:
- Mild stomachache.
- Farting gas (with/without odor).
- Rumbling sounds from the tummy.
What to do?
If your pooch shows the signs above, never give them wasabi or spicy food again. And also other things that may cause too much gas, like:
- Soy.
- Peas.
- Dairy products.
Note: It’s also best to walk your dog for at least 1 hour after meals. Do this to encourage them to pass gas. And to avoid the following condition based on a study.
Check out also: 11 Reasons Why Your Dog Suddenly Has Bad Gas + 5 Tips
#2: Bloating
Next, eating a lump of wasabi might also cause your dog’s tummy to expand.
When it does, PetMD says it’ll cause stomach pain.
Then the expansion will disrupt blood flow to your Fido’s abdomen.
Soon, it may damage the stomach’s wall. And it can affect other organs too.
Aside from spicy food, other causes of bloating in canines are:
- Genetics.
- Exercising after eating.
- Rapid drinking of water.
- Eating from a high, raised bowl.
All dogs can experience bloat. But it’s more common in deep-chested and large Fidos.
Also, one more study shows that older dogs are more prone to bloat than younger ones.
Based on this research, Fidos ages 7 to 10 years old and above have higher chances of getting it than 2 to 3.9 years old dogs.
So if your dog consumed a lot of wasabi…
Look out for these signs of stress or pain:
- Dry heave.
- Collapsing.
- Pale gums.
- Restlessness.
- Fast heartbeat.
- Distention of tummy.
Warning: Severe bloating is deadly when not treated asap. It’s one of the most painful emergencies that dogs suffer. And it’s because the stomach twists and fills with gas.
#3: Breathing issues
As I’ve mentioned in the beginning…
Wasabi isn’t toxic to dogs.
But since it has a spicy taste, some Fidos may have severe reactions due to heat.
So in other cases, a big serving of wasabi might also cause a dog’s throat to tighten. Then it’ll make it hard for them to breathe.
You’ll know your Fido have breathing issues if they’re suddenly:
- Panting too much.
- Breathing more rapidly than usual.
But aside from the heat due to spiciness…
Most dogs also hate the scent of wasabi
If you want to see it for yourself, watch the dog’s relatable reaction in the clip below:
Well, most people may also dislike its odor. And it’s because wasabi has a strong smell that irritates the nose.
Fun fact: The scent of wasabi’s so intense that Japanese scientists used it to wake deaf people up. Since they can’t detect sounds, researchers invented a fire alarm that diffuses the stinging odor of wasabi instead. And this invention earned a Nobel prize in 2011.
“Amazing!”
Now, speaking of strong odors…
Spicy food like chili powder is also popular as a scent that can deter dogs from peeing.
So if your pooch sprays their urine everywhere, that might help stop it.
#4: Burning sensation in their mouth
The ‘disgust’ on Fido’s face above shows how wasabi’s odor can take dogs by surprise.
So what more if they lick some of it?
Like us, canines may also feel a burning sensation in their nose and mouth.
And if you’ve accidentally put too much wasabi in your mouth, you know it feels awful.
Some of us can tolerate spicy food well. But our furry friends have less capacity than us.
So a tiny lump of wasabi might already be a large bite for most Fidos. Especially for smaller dog breeds.
Now, you may wonder…
“Can dogs taste spicy food?”
They can’t detect much spicy flavor. But canines can feel the heat caused by its pungent taste.
“Why’s that?”
According to vets, dogs only have 1,700 taste buds in their tongues. Meanwhile, it’s around 9,000 for us, humans.
That big difference makes your Fido’s sense of taste weaker than ours.
And it’s why they can’t detect spiciness as much as we do.
So once the taste of wasabi hits them, canines may:
- Get distant.
- Constantly lick their lips.
- Paw at their mouth/nose.
Learn more: Can Dogs Taste Spicy Food? 9 Things You Need To Know
#5: Upset stomach
The possible dangers of wasabi to dogs don’t end yet.
The things above are only the tip of the iceberg. And it’s because the most common risk of eating it is an upset stomach.
Like us, too much wasabi or spicy food (e.g., paprika) might irritate your Fido’s tummy.
Also, they may have a severe reaction if their stomach is more sensitive than other dogs.
“How will I know if my Fido has an upset stomach?”
These are the 2 common signs:
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
And these mean that your dog’s body’s trying to remove something from its system.
But other symptoms are:
What to do?
If your Fido has an upset tummy, vets usually recommend fasting. Thus, only serve food to them after 12 to 24 hours.
And to help ease their stomach, you can give them canned pumpkins too.
Also, offer your pooch some ice chips to keep them hydrated. Kindly do this as too much water might irritate their stomach more.
Further reading: Why does my dog have loose stools and smelly gas?
#6: Dehydration
Once your Fido shows signs of an upset stomach, it’s best to take action asap and contact your vet.
“Why?”
It’s because constant vomiting can lead to dehydration. And also, if your dog has loose stools for days.
Then it could be a serious health emergency if left untreated.
Our bodies need enough water to work properly.
Thus, their organs may suffer if your Fido’s releasing more water than they take in.
So experts say to watch out for these signs of dehydration in dogs:
- Dry nose.
- Sunken eyes.
- Sudden panting.
- Loss of appetite.
- Thick, sticky saliva.
Then last but not least…
#7: It can worsen pre-existing health issues
Usually, a teeny-tiny serving of spicy food won’t harm a healthy dog.
However, if your Fido has a pre-existing condition…
Eating a bit of wasabi might already lead to other complications.
“What do you mean?”
As I said earlier, ingesting too much spicy food may irritate a dog’s stomach.
And it could happen even to Fidos in good condition.
So imagine its consequences to your dog who has health problems. Especially if they have kidney disease or other digestive issues, like:
- Gastritis.
- Pancreatitis.
- Intestinal blockage.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
How much wasabi can a dog eat?
A dog can only eat a small amount of wasabi. Also, it’s not recommended to be given frequently. And it’s because a large intake of it can cause discomfort – from a burning sensation in the mouth to bloating.
Do dogs like wasabi?
Most dogs don’t like spicy food like wasabi. They can’t taste its intense flavor. But canines will feel the heat in their mouth and nose, which may cause pain.
Aside from spicy things, Fidos also usually avoid food that’s:
- Sour.
- Salty.
And they have a strong liking for anything sweet.
But dogs have food preferences too. So some Fidos may try to lick some wasabi again even after tasting a bit of it.