No, dogs cannot eat wasabi. This is mainly because the digestive system of dogs is not accustomed to processing spicy food, resulting in gastrointestinal infections.
Table of Contents
What is Wasabi?
Wasabi is a plant that has its origins in Japan. The sauce extracted from the plant is consumed as a food item. Wasabi sauce is made of sorbitol, rice bran oil, sugar, modified food starch, salt, water, cellulose, wasabi, artificial flavor, citric acid, turmeric, xanthan gum, artificial color. Wasabi is known for being spicy. Therefore, it causes problems like stomach burns, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Why is Wasabi Bad for Dogs?
Wasabi is bad for dogs for the following reasons:
Causes damage to the nervous system: Wasabi contains citric acid and horseradish, which causes irritation and damage in the central nervous system of your dog.
Leads to sodium poisoning: Wasabi is high in salt, and too much salt can lead to sodium poisoning in dogs. Sodium poisoning causes:
Dehydration
Seizures
Vomiting
Diarrhea
How much Wasabi to Feed Your Dog?
A tiny drop will not harm your dog. But, it is recommended that wasabi should not be fed to your dog.
What if my Dog ate Wasabi?
Do not panic: Eating it seldom or in small amounts will not make a drastic difference to your dog’s health. So, it is vital to remain calm and composed.
Hydrate your dog: Your dog is bound to feel thirsty after consuming wasabi, as it is spicy. So, ensure that your dog drinks plenty of water after finishing it.
Symptoms to look out for if your dog ate wasabi:
Pawning at their head/mouth
Tail between their legs
Excessive gas
Ears drop
Pacing
Drooling
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
If the symptoms persist, take your dog to the veterinarian.
How to Train your Dogs not to have Wasabi?
Whenever you leave your room in the middle of a meal, make sure your dog is not left with the food.
Ensure that there are no leftovers kept on the table.
Buy a dog-proof trash bin that dogs cannot open as they can smell leftovers.
Whenever food is left unsupervised, place it somewhere your dog cannot reach.
Your dog can be locked in some other room until you finish eating.
Alternatives To Wasabi For Dogs
Pumpkin
Carrots
Apples
Cooked lean meat
Homemade biscuits for dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Spicy Food?
No, dogs cannot eat spicy foods. Humans have 9,000 taste buds in their mouth, while dogs only have 1,700 taste buds in their mouth. This fact clarifies that dogs cannot detect or sense as many flavors as humans, including spicy foods. Even the digestive system of dogs is not accustomed to spicy food.
Can Dogs Eat Wasabi Peas?
No. Dogs cannot eat wasabi peas. Wasabi peas are nothing but peas that are coated with wasabi. Hence, it has the same drawbacks as that of traditional wasabi sauce.
Can Dogs Eat Wasabi Almonds?
No. Dogs cannot eat wasabi almonds. Almonds themselves should not be fed to dogs. The combination of wasabi and almonds can spell disaster for dogs.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, wasabi should not be consumed by dogs. Although it is not toxic, wasabi can still lead to many gastrointestinal problems in your dog and cause cramps in the stomach, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
