Adding spices to your food is the easiest and the most affordable way of incorporating essential nutrients into your diet. Paprika is a versatile spice that helps lower intake of fat, sugars & calories and boosts consumption of different beneficial phytonutrients.
However, do these health benefits of paprika hold true for dogs? Or will adding paprika to your dinner make it off-limit for your furry friend? Well, let’s find out:
What’s Paprika?
Paprika is a spice made from a mixture of peppers from the capscium annum family, such as chili peppers, red peppers, Aleppo peppers, cayenne peppers, and bell peppers, among others. It’s one of the most versatile, delicious, and colorful spices in our cabinets. Whether you want to add it into stews, soups, and rice dishes or sprinkle it over a finished meal to add a pop of color, gobbling up paprika is something you do quite often.
However, it’s often confused with red chili powder because the only visible distinction is the slight variance in color tone. But it’s good to note that these two spices greatly vary when it comes to ingredients. While paprika is made from the specific peppers listed above, ground chili powder is made from a mixture of spices such as chili pepper, salt, garlic, cumin, and even paprika itself. Besides, paprika has a sweet taste, while chili powder has an earthly and spicier flavor.
Is It Safe For Dogs To Eat Paprika?
Yes! Dogs can eat paprika. It’s not toxic, and you shouldn’t be afraid to share foods seasoned with paprika with your dog.
However, different online sources focus on the damage paprika can have on dogs’ eyes and lungs if inhaled, but that’s a problem with a majority of spices and has nothing to do with paprika specifically. There isn’t any ingredient in paprika that can result in toxicity, so you don’t need to rush your dog to a vet any time it laps up a little goulash.
Health Benefits Of Paprika
Like most spices, paprika is jam-packed with tons of healthy nutrients. In fact, just one tablespoon of this spice contains about 20 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin A, which helps protect vision, boost immunity, and support overall body health.
Paprika also contains antioxidant properties, including vitamin E, which protect your dog from free radicals’ oxidative damage. Vitamin E also helps boost immunity, support a silky, healthy fur coat, and alleviate skin problems like itching and dandruff. Besides, the capsaicin in the spice has potent anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve swelling and pain.
Health Concerns
Paprika is a common spice across the globe. Chances are, you’ve prepared a yummy meal seasoned with paprika, and you’re wondering if you should serve your pooch some. Well, there is no harm in doing so, but your furry friend shouldn’t eat paprika too often.
This spice may be delicious and packed with lots of micronutrients, but it also has capsaicin, which may cause stomach problems. Just like other spices, it can upset your dog’s sensitive stomach, especially if it has gastrointestinal problems or a history of falling sick after eating strong foods.
What Happens If Your Dog Accidentally Consumes Large Amounts Of Paprika?
Although paprika is safe for dogs when consumed in small quantities, your furry friend can accidentally consume a large amount of it. Dogs are naughty sometimes, and they tend to do the things they shouldn’t.
When your dog consumes lots of paprika, consider giving it some water or milk to drink or lick to relieve pain and the heat. If its eyes are watering, wipe its face with cold water, and its paws as well to prevent the spreading of the burning sensation to its eyes and other sensitive areas.
Then, observe your dog’s behavior for a few hours, and if symptoms such as diarrhea, indigestion, vomiting, and dehydration persist, rush it to your local vet. Your vet will help figure out the best steps to take depending on the size of your dog, breed, health history, and other factors.
The Takeaway: Can dogs eat paprika?
It’s safe to give dogs food seasoned with paprika every now and then. It’s probably not a good idea to make it part of its regular diet. This antioxidant-rich spice offers a plethora of health benefits when it’s an occasional treat, but it’s capable of causing stomach problems if given in excess.
About Dogcarelife: Every article on Dogcarelife.com is thoroughly researched and fact-checked, ensuring that you can trust the information you find. Visit our site to learn more about caring for your furry friend and feel confident in the advice you receive.
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