Are you a pet parent who has found your four-legged friend has an affinity for spicy food? If so, you might wonder if dogs can eat wasabi and how it affects them.
Don’t worry! Eating small amounts of the Japanese condiment is safe for most canines – but you do want to be aware of potential health risks. (1)
In this blog post, we’ll answer common questions about dogs eating wasabi and provide tips on keeping your pup safe if they get into some tasty green paste. Read on to learn more!
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Check For These Signs
Your dog will give you a few signs that the dog ate wasabi. While it isn’t toxic for them, it is spicy. Dogs aren’t used to eating spicy foods. Their body may react to it. (2)
One sign to look for is if they drop their ears. This is a sign that they’re not enjoying the taste or heat of wasabi. This sign may be difficult to notice if your dog has floppy ears. A better sign to look for is if they pull their ears back slightly.
Another sign to check for is pacing. Dogs do this when they’re anxious. If they didn’t enjoy the wasabi, they might pace to get it through their system. The spicy flavor may also cause them to receive an adrenaline rush since their body isn’t used to it.
Sniffing is another sign that your dog doesn’t like wasabi. Due to its flavor, their nose may be reacting. Just like in humans, their sinuses may be cleared as a result of the heat. The dog may sniff in an attempt to clear their nasal passages further.
An alternative to sniffing is sneezing. If some of the wasabi ends up in their nose, or if the sensitive hairs in their nose interact with the wasabi, they may sneeze a lot. As a result, their body may be forced to try and sneeze some of it out.
Lip licking is another sign to watch out for. This isn’t a sign that your dog enjoyed the wasabi. It means they’re trying to clean off their mouths because they didn’t like it. It may also cause burning to their lips. Their tongue may be attempting to ease the sensation.
This is coupled with drooling. The hot flavor of wasabi may cause this on its own. Just like our mouths produce more saliva to deal with spicy foods, a dog also does. To cool their mouths, they may drool to ease the burn along their lips.
If the wasabi is burning their tongues, they may also leave them hanging out. They may even be panting to cool their tongue and mouth down.
A tense jaw often signifies that your dog didn’t enjoy the wasabi. It’s a sign of anxiety and sometimes aggression.
You may also notice that their tail is tucked below them or stiff. This is another sign of experiencing anxiety. They likely don’t understand why their mouth or stomach suddenly feels the way that it does. They may think something is wrong.
You may notice a few other signs: running to their bowl to drink water, rubbing their snout or face against the floor or furniture, and running around.
When they rub their face against the floor or furniture, it’s a sign that they’re trying to remove the taste or burning sensation. The same goes for if they’re drinking a lot of water.
Potential Problems
Here are a few potential problems that you may encounter with your dog if a dog eats wasabi:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Stomach ache
- Anxious dog
- Gas
- Thirst
- Burning sensation in the nose
What To Do
If your dog eats wasabi, then the best thing you can do is help remove the wasabi flavor from its mouth. You’ll want to remove any leftover wasabi inside their mouth.
Then you’ll want to take some water and rinse out their mouths. You’ll also want to take a cloth and wipe off their snout. Run the cloth over their lips as well.
They should also have plenty of access to water. They’ll need to drink a good amount to negate the spicy effects of wasabi.
You’ll then want to monitor your dog. If they eat a lot, they may vomit on the floor or have a case of diarrhea. You may want to isolate them for a time in a place where newspapers are put down or puppy pads to prevent accidents. Otherwise, you can let them go outside frequently to ensure they have plenty of opportunities to use the bathroom if needed.
If it does seem like your dog is having an allergic or bad reaction to wasabi, then you should take them to the vet.
Do I Need To See The Vet or The Emergency Animal Hospital?
In most cases, you only need to visit the vet if your dog shows extreme distress from eating wasabi. A vet can give you instructions on how to soothe your dog further. They may also have some vitamins or pills to help ease your dog’s stomach ache.
Because wasabi isn’t toxic to dogs, your dog’s life isn’t threatened. There isn’t a need to take them to the animal hospital. If your dog happens to consume a lot of wasabi, then you’ll want to call your vet immediately. They can tell you if bringing your dog to the animal hospital is necessary.
Safe Alternatives To Eat
There are no alternatives to eat. Even something like wasabi peas or almonds could give your dog gastric problems. It’s better to avoid the ingredient entirely. This is true if your dog has allergies to other ingredients found in the wasabi-coated food.
Wasabi itself sometimes has certain dyes or horseradish added to it. Your dog can be allergic to one of these ingredients and have a direr reaction. It would be best if you avoid spicy foods for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Wasabi?
Wasabi is not toxic to dogs. They will not die if they consume it. However, they may have an allergic reaction that could cause serious harm. Dogs who are not allergic to wasabi may still experience gastrointestinal distress.
This can result in stomach aches and cramps and lead to vomiting or diarrhea. It can also make their tongues, mouths, and noses feel burning.
Dogs should not be fed wasabi.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is wasabi poisonous to animals?
A: Yes, wasabi can be toxic to animals, including dogs, when consumed in large amounts. Wasabi contains compounds that can irritate the mouth and digestive system, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. If you suspect your dog has consumed a significant amount of wasabi, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately.
Q: Will wasabi peas or almonds hurt dogs?
A: Yes, if your dogs eat wasabi peas, it can hurt them. The wasabi coating on the peas can irritate and burn the dog’s mouth and digestive system. If your dog has consumed a significant amount of wasabi peas, it is important to seek veterinary care. If dogs eat wasabi almonds, they might also be toxic to them.
Q: What happens when a dog eats sushi?
A: If a dog eats sushi, it can be harmful to their health, especially if it contains ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as wasabi paste or raw fish. Ingesting these ingredients can cause digestive issues, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and more serious health problems. If your dog has consumed sushi, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately.
Q: Is wasabi good for your dog’s health?
A: No, wasabi is not suitable for a dog’s health. When consumed in large amounts, wasabi can cause many problems. If your dog has ingested wasabi, it is important to rinse its mouth thoroughly with water to reduce the irritation and seek veterinary care if necessary.
My name is Danny Jackson and I’m the CEO and Chief Editor behind Petloverguy.com. After spending a decade working with vets and private clients as an animal behavioral and nutritional specialist I co-founded Pet Lover Guy to help other pet parents learn how to interact with, and make the most of the time that they spend with their adopted and rescued best pet friends.
Working with Ella, our chihuahua rescue, we seek to help all dog and cat lovers have the happiest life possible.
