Are you afraid that spices will affect your dog’s health?Paprika is a powdered spice that is made from crushed and grounded red bell pepper. Paprika powder is not to be confused with chili powder as chili powder is a lot spicier compared to paprika.But can your dogs eat paprika as a seasoning in their kibble? We humans always love our food which has been seasoned properly. For that, we use many taste bud enhancers like spices, condiments, sauces. Paprika is a powder made from bell pepper. Bell pepper comes in all different colors like red, yellow, and green, but paprika is primarily made from red bell pepper only. Paprika is used in various cuisines nowadays and it is an essential part of Spanish and Mexican cuisine. Paprika has a mildly spicy flavor with sweet undertones, which makes a perfect spice for goulash and romesco sauce.But is paprika a good thing to feed your dog? Is paprika harmful to dogs who love eating it quite often? These questions have been addressed in the following article, along with many others. After understanding that can dogs eat paprika, do check can dogs eat okra and can dogs eat oatmeal?Is paprika safe for dogs?Many dog parents have noticed that their dogs particularly love the flavor of food containing paprika as the main flavor. These people have claimed that their dogs really loved the spice, and some dogs even tried to reach the paprika container in the kitchen by sniffing it out and eating it. While it is safe to say that paprika is not toxic or a fatal spice for dogs, it cannot be said that it is completely safe to let dogs eat paprika in large quantities.Eating a bell pepper has its own benefits as it does for humans as well as dogs. The bell pepper, which paprika is made from, contains a lot of carotenoids such as zeaxanthin and lutein, which are very beneficial for eyesight in humans and Vitamin A which improves night vision in dogs. Hence, dogs can eat paprika, but it is best to avoid feeding your dog paprika, as it can cause more problems than benefits. Vitamin E in paprika is also helpful for the immune and nervous system of the dog.Apart from paprika or bell peppers, there are certain spices that you should completely avoid feeding your dog at all costs, as a responsible dog parent. This list includes spices like salt, garlic, onion, and chili as they are dangerous spices for your dog. It is essential to mention cocoa powder as it can cause very serious problems like tremors and seizures in dogs.Salt contains sodium ions, which can poison your dog if taken in unnecessary amounts. Also, salt can cause a dog to salivate and urinate excessively, which could result in serious dehydration. Likewise, spices like onion, garlic, and chives contain several disulfides and sulfoxides, which are prone to damage the red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the tissues and a decrease in red blood cells can cause symptoms like anemia in dogs. Further, onion and garlic can also cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems, including nausea and vomiting.What spices can dogs eat?Much like humans, dogs also prefer adequately spiced and flavored meals to satiate their curiosity and taste buds. But the food that contains paprika is considered a little dangerous, if not toxic for the health of your dog. Usually, most dog owners prefer to give their dogs pet food that is available in stores. Some dog owners prefer to feed the dogs with whatever is available and cost-friendly to them because regular purchasing of dog food can be quite expensive. On the other hand, dogs do enjoy a variety of foods from time to time, and it would do them and their health good if a dog parent gives them home-cooked food from time to time. There are some spices that can be used in homemade dog food which have health benefits for the dogs, as well as make the food more appetizing.Basil, parsley, and turmeric are some of the most important and beneficial spices for dogs that are healthy for them. Parsley is a herb that is rich in fibers, vitamins, and minerals. Parsley helps improve organ functions. The antioxidants present in parsley can flush harmful toxins from the body. Also, as parsley has a very herby, earthy scent it is sometimes used for clearing bad breath in dogs. Basil is an effective antioxidant both for humans as well as dogs. Basil also has some antiviral and antimicrobial properties, which help improve the immune system of your pet dog. Basil is known for its calm, relaxing scent and pain-relieving properties. A regular supplement of basil leaves can help with pain like arthritis in older dogs. Finally, turmeric is known for being an important part of diet for people suffering from heart problems. Likewise, it benefits dogs in a similar manner. Apart from being a prevention measure against heart problems, turmeric is also a great booster for metabolism. In many kinds of research, it is found that turmeric can help prevent diseases like cancer and anemia.What are the side effects of paprika on dogs?As it has been mentioned before, paprika is not harmful to dogs, when ingested in limited amounts. A few mouthfuls of food with paprika spice flavor won’t have a lot of effect on your pet dog’s health. But as it is with humans, it differs from dog to dog. Some dogs may suffer from gastrointestinal problems or diarrhea by eating even a little paprika. Then, it should be absolutely avoided. If your dog seems fine even after eating some paprika, it should be perhaps okay for them to eat, and can even be provided as a rare, occasional treat in a limited quantity.Eating a large amount or too much or paprika at once can cause gastrointestinal problems and diarrhea in dogs. Side effects of paprika include vomiting or watering eyes due to the spiciness of paprika. Feeding paprika in any way should be absolutely avoided for dogs who regularly suffer from gastrointestinal problems. Further, dogs tend to sniff everything that comes their way. As paprika is in powder form, it is very much possible for it to enter a dog’s nasal passage and cause nasal irritation and watering eyes. The capsaicin compound present in paprika can cause burning sensation and irritation in both humans as well as dogs, and it becomes especially painful if capsaicin touches the oral or nasal tissues.What are the alternatives to paprika for dogs?While paprika may be a little out of the box for a dog’s diet, no one can really predict what a dog can like. There are many owners who feel surprised that their dogs love spicy foods. While occasional treats of spicy food cannot be harmful to your dog’s health, there are some spices that are safe for dogs, even if fed on a more regular basis compared to spices like paprika.All the above-mentioned spices in the answer to what dogs can eat are very healthy and can be given frequently with their food. Food cooked with herbs or spices flavored with basil and parsley can rejuvenate your dog’s palate. These herbs are rich in antioxidants and minerals and help to stabilize the dog’s diet. Several animals like dogs and cats are known to eat grass when they have an upset stomach because of its healing properties. Apart from herbs and greens, turmeric is also a spice for the dogs to eat which adds flavoring to their food. Turmeric is known to be a preventive measure against fatal diseases like cancer and is a remedy against anemia.Finally, to satiate your pet’s cravings for spicy foods, there are always options available in packaged dog food found in pet stores. There are many herb and spice-based snacks, which you can treat your dog with from time to time.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for can dogs eat paprika then why not take a look at can dogs eat pizza, or Dobermann facts.
Are you afraid that spices will affect your dog’s health?
