Two common questions among pet owners is whether their dogs can taste spicy food and, more importantly, whether they should have it. The short answer is no to both questions. Dogs can’t “taste” spicy food and, no, they should not have it. It may even lead to diarrhea, vomiting, gas, and stomach pain.
Can Dogs Taste Spice?
While dogs have tastebuds, just like us, they have far fewer than we have. While adult humans have roughly 9,000 tastebuds, our canine companions only have around 1,700 of these specialized sensory organs. This reduced number means their range of taste perception is less complex. They can detect the basic tastes of sweet (something cats lack), sour, salty, bitter, and umami, but their sensitivity to these flavors varies. For example, dogs tend to be more sensitive to umami and meat flavors and less responsive to salt. When it comes to “spicy,” however, things get a bit more complex.
Spiciness is not a taste, rather it is a sensation. Specifically, it is the result of a chemical irritation caused by capsaicin, a compound found commonly in peppers and come other plants in the Capsicum genus. Capsaicin in plants likely evolved as a defense mechanism to deter mammalian herbivores from eating fruits and seeds, which can be destroyed during digestion.
Capsaicin activates a receptor in mammals known as TRPV1, which detects pain and heat. When capsaicin binds to this receptor, it creates a burning sensation that humans perceive as spicy. Dogs, like humans, have TRPV1 receptors and can therefore feel the burn of capsaicin. However, because they lack the psychological context for spicy food as something enjoyable, they usually find the sensation unpleasant and distressing.
Can Dogs Eat Spicy Food?
Given that dogs can feel the heat of spicy food and may experience discomfort from them, is it a good idea to feed them spicy foods? In short, no. Feeding dogs spicy foods can lead to a range of gastrointestinal problems including stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, and vomiting. In some cases, the irritation caused by capsaicin can lead to inflammation in the digestive tract. There is also the concern of creating a conditioned taste aversion.
If a dog has a bad experience after eating something spicy, they may then associate that discomfort with accompanying smells or foods and develop a reluctance to eat them in the future. Because of this, hot sauce is sometimes used as a deterrent to stop puppies from chewing on household items. Some owners try to stop chewing behavior by applying a small amount of hot sauce on furniture legs, electrical cords, or shoes. An alternative to hot sauce includes lemon juice or commercially available non-toxic bitter spray, which still carries an unpleasant flavor without the risk of causing mouth or digestive irritation.
While dogs can detect the burn of spicy foods through their TRPV1 receptors, they do not derive pleasure from it and may suffer from digestive upset as a result. While spicy substances, like hot sauce, may deter some puppies from chewing on household items, it carries with it risks and should be used sparingly and with caution. For the health and comfort of your dog, it is best to avoid spicy foods and stick to healthy, non-spicy treats that they can enjoy.
