Wasabi is a potent, spicy, and flavorful ingredient. When you think of wasabi, you probably think of a delicious sushi roll. It’s a light green paste that comes in a thick paste. Because a little goes a long way, you’re likely to have some wasabi paste left over after your sushi has been devoured. So, can dogs eat wasabi?
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Can Dogs Eat Wasabi?
While wasabi (Japanese horseradish) is not toxic to dogs, it should still be avoided. It is a gastrointestinal irritant and can cause vomiting or diarrhea if eaten. Most dogs will generally avoid wasabi, but if they do accidentally eat some, they should be fine.
Are There Health Benefits of Wasabi For Dogs?
There is some evidence to suggest that eating wasabi can have some health benefits for humans. Wasabi is sometimes used as an anti-inflammatory or for its antibiotic properties. It has also been shown to have some effect on preventing certain kinds of stomach cancer.
There is no evidence to suggest that these health benefits extend to canines. If your dog is displaying any signs of inflammation or bacterial infection, it is best to take him to the vet rather than feeding wasabi as a home remedy.
How to Feed Wasabi to Dogs?
While it can be tempting to think that just a little taste won’t hurt anything, there is no safe way to feed wasabi to a dog. Although they may not suffer any lasting ill effects, even a little can upset a dog’s digestive system and burn its mouth. Even if a dog seems to like spicy human food, it is still better to avoid giving them wasabi.
Why Can Wasabi be Bad For Dogs?
In their natural environment, canines don’t encounter things that are spicy very often, so their digestive systems and palates are not designed to deal with spicy foods. Domesticated dogs are no different. As a result of the heat of the spice and a digestive system not built to handle it, your dog could develop severe bloating, gas, vomiting, diarrhea, and a burned mouth. These effects are largely caused by the allyl isothiocyanate found in wasabi. This biological compound gives wasabi its flavor. It also creates a smell that is unpleasant to herbivores and omnivores and keeps those animals from eating it. Canines both in the wild and domesticated are classified as omnivores. So even in the wild, a canine would avoid eating wasabi.
It is also good to avoid giving your dog wasabi because 95-95% of wasabi paste that people eat is fake—a mixture of hot mustard. Citric acid and horseradish are used to approximate the taste of wasabi. The wasabi plant is very difficult to grow, and producing it artificially is much easier and cheaper than growing the real thing. This is fine for humans, but citric acid is not good for dogs. In small quantities, it’s likely to cause stomach problems. In larger amounts, it can cause damage to the central nervous system.
What Foods Can You Give to Your Dog Instead of Wasabi?
Dogs do not typically enjoy spicy foods of any kind. So there isn’t anything that tastes similar to wasabi that your dog will like. However, there are some vitamins and minerals in wasabi that are good for dogs, such as vitamin C, Potassium, magnesium, and zinc. There are many foods that also contain these ingredients that your dog will love.
Are Dogs Allergic to Wasabi?
As with any food, some individual dogs may have an allergy to wasabi, but it is not common.
What to do if Your Dog Eats Wasabi?
If your dog eats a little wasabi, there is no need to panic, but there are steps you can take to limit your dog’s discomfort. First, make sure to get rid of any wasabi within your dog’s reach and make sure to remove any wasabi that may still be in the dog’s mouth. You can also rinse out his mouth with water. Also, provide plenty of water for your dog to drink to help flush his system out. Remember that wasabi is not toxic, and any problems your dog may have as a result of ingesting it should resolve within a day or so.
Can Dogs Eat Wasabi – Our Final Verdict!
Wasabi can be a tasty addition to some meals for humans but should be avoided by dogs. If your dog gets a little by mistake, there’s no reason to rush to the ER at the animal hospital, but if signs of discomfort continue, you should always consult your vet.
