dogs have long been one of the top pet choices of many people. They are also known as therapy animals; they are beautiful, intelligent, loving, live long, and if you already are a dog owner you know that they need a lot of attention and social activity. Unlike other common pet animals, feeding dogs is inexpensive. Other than seeds and dog food packs that you get from the market, they also love eating many fruits or vegetables that we eat. Jalapeno is one of the food items that dogs love eating; they adore jalapenos. So, if you are here to know whether your dog can eat jalapeno or not, you would not only leave with the answer but also the reason why they do not react to the spice and heat of jalapenos.
Jalapenos are a nutritious and versatile fruit that people enjoy in a variety of ways. It is not only a favorite of humans but most birds seem to love it, including dogs. Jalapenos have capsaicin, a compound, which contains many of the health benefits a jalapeno has. For humans, the benefits of jalapenos include weight loss, pain relief, lower ulcer risk, and improved heart health. The benefits of jalapenos are not limited to humans, dogs not only enjoy jalapenos but are also good for them.
Can dogs eat Jalapenos?
Yes, dogs definitely can eat Jalapenos despite them being hot; and there are many health benefits of jalapenos for both humans and dogs. Jalapenos are full of vitamins (vitamin C and Vitamin B6), fiber, minerals, and antioxidants and are low in calories. The compound called capsaicin in jalapenos is the one that adds spice to it.
Capsaicin is the main active ingredient in Jalapenos which is antibacterial, has anti-diabetic properties, anti-cancer agent, and also reduces LDL cholesterol levels, increases blood flow, and provides euphoric endorphins in the bloodstream makes a dog feel good. What else could you ask for? They are bird peppers, meant for birds more than they are for humans; So yeah, your dogs would love to eat Jalapenos.
Do dogs feel the heat of jalapenos?
If we conclude it in one word, then it would be a No. And there are two varying reasons why birds do not feel the heat present in jalapeno pepper that is commonly believed. One group believes that, unlike mammals, birds do not have the capsaicin receptor that allows us to sense the chemical heat sensation. While, on the other hand, David Julius has beautifully described in his work that birds DO HAVE the capsaicin receptor but their receptor is insensitive to capsaicin proving the species-specific sensitivity to “hot” chili peppers.
Humans have up to 4,000 to 5,000 taste buds per millimeter of their tongue, whereas dogs have only 400 to 500 per millimeter, which means that dogs significantly require more flavor to taste. Since birds including dogs do not feel the heat in jalapenos or other peppers, capsaicin-coated bird seeds are popular; which helps protect the seeds from squirrels, mice, or other mammals (who are sensitive to capsaicin).
Can dogs eat the entire Jalapeno?
dogs love to chomp away on the whole jalapeno and even some other hotter peppers. They not only eat the spicy flesh part of the jalapeno but also highly pungent seeds; so, when you offer them jalapeno, sit back and see them finish it in no time. It differs from dogs to dogs or maybe their mood, some might enjoy eating the entire jalapeno and some might eat only flesh or only seeds.
Can dogs eat the seeds in jalapenos?
Seeds are probably the favorite part of jalapenos for dogs. Mostly, they go for seeds before eating the flesh of jalapeno. Capsaicin present in the seeds irritates mammals, that is why even wild birds eat the seeds because they are not sensitive to it.
Nutrients per Serving:
Jalapenos are filled with nutrients; the following are the nutrients present in one raw jalapeno:
- Calories: 4.
- Vitamin C: 10% of the RDI.
- Vitamin B6: 4% of the RDI.
- Vitamin A: 2% of the RDI.
- Vitamin K: 2% of the RDI.
- Fiber: 0.4 grams.
- Manganese: 2% of the RDI.
- Folate: 2% of the RDI.
Jalapeno peppers are known for being a good source of fiber. The Vitamin C it contains is an antioxidant that fights free radical damage, while other Vitamins and nutrients, and one of the most important compounds in jalapeno, capsaicin are all also good and do no harm to dogs.
Health Benefits
Overall, Jalapeno and other chilies and peppers have health-promoting and disease-preventing properties. Capsaicin which is also the main ingredient of jalapeno is an anti-cancer agent, antibacterial, reduces LDL cholesterol levels, has anti-diabetic properties, increases blood flow, and provides euphoric endorphins in the bloodstream which boosts the feel-good factor of a dog. Capsaicin also has counter-irritant and astringent properties, helps with digestion, and also works as an effective pain-killer. Having all these properties in a jalapeno seems too good to be true.
Can dogs eat other spicier chilies, like Pequin peppers?
Most people wonder whether their dogs can eat even spicier peppers than jalapenos like Pequin peppers or some others. Although dogs enjoy eating them, the question is if the chilies can give them indigestion? Since dogs cannot smell or taste the heat that is present in the peppers, they can eat it. And NO, chilies do not give indigestion and are likely to cure indigestion; they are alkaline, not acidic. Pequin Pepper which is many times spicier than jalapeno is also famous as “bird pepper”.
What food can dogs eat?
Previously, most of the dog owners would only feed seeds to their dogs, which is not a healthy food if consumed constantly. A whole diet for dogs should also include pellets, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Seeds and Pellets for dogs
Seeds should be fed to dogs but not only seeds, and at the same time, pellets should be a part of your dog’s diet but along with other food items. dogs enjoy a variety of seeds including, safflower, oats, millets, canary seeds, and buckwheat. People do also feed sunflower seeds but they should be fed rarely because of the fat content they have. The best pellets you can feed to your dogs are those that do not contain sugar or dyes, since these ingredients may cause diseases over the long term, and can shorten your birds’ life span.
Fresh foods for birds
The birds or your dog should also be fed fruits and vegetables alongside seeds and pellets. Following are some other food items that your dogs need:
- Raw or steamed vegetables.
- Cooked whole grains or pseudo-grains, such as rice, quinoa, oats, barley, teff, buckwheat, amaranth.
- Legumes.
- Nuts and seeds.
- Raw fruit (apples and grapes are dog’s favorite).
- Vegetables (greens, spinach, bell pepper among some others).
Overall, you should not limit your dog’s food to only one item, just like humans, dogs also enjoy eating different foods, that is what they do in the wild. Understanding your dogs’ needs and giving them different types of food that they not only enjoy but which also benefit them is very important.
What food can dogs not eat?
Although dogs do eat many of the food items which we eat that does not mean we can give them everything we consume. There are a variety of food items that a human and dogs can share but there are also many items that are not only harmful to your beloved pet but can also be fatal. Avocado is not the only food item that is harmful to birds, there are other foods too which include: chocolate, salt is also harmful, alcohol, meat, peanuts, along other dairy products. This is not the list of everything you should avoid feeding birds, there may be some other items that are harmful to them. Before feeding them anything new, make sure to do a little research for your pets’ safety.
Generally, the foods that should not be fed include any food that is high in fat, salt, and sugars, or if that contains dyes or preservatives.
NO MILK
Milk is a big NO for dogs or any bird. The gut of any bird is not designed to digest milk and it is harmful to them; milk can give the birds serious stomach upsets and can even kill them.
Conclusion
All in all, dogs are loving and rewarding pets that will keep you company throughout your life. Their long lives make them good pets, which means you do not have to see your feathery pet die in front of you. Unlike some other pet animals, feeding them is inexpensive. Other than eating seeds and pellets they also enjoy eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Though Jalapeno is hot and some people wonder whether their dogs would be able to eat it or if it would do any harm to them; we would conclude in simple words, do NOT hesitate and give jalapeno to them which they not only enjoy but also get benefited from.