Can Dogs Eat Curry?

No, they can’t. Curry is not considered good for a canine’s digestive system because it’s loaded with several harmful ingredients and seasonings. For example, onions, garlic, salt, and spices are all unsafe for your pooch. Keep reading to know more about why dogs shouldn’t eat curry and how to react if they actually consume it.

Why Curry is Bad for Dogs?

Most main ingredients of curry, like meat and vegetables, are not dangerous for dogs. However, the seasoning agents of this dish can cause some serious problems to the health of your pup. Let’s discuss some of the most harmful ingredients of curry for canines.

Onion and Garlic

Both these members of the ‘allium’ family are quite toxic to dogs because they contain thiosulfate. This compound damages the red blood cells of your pooch and ultimately results in hemolytic anemia. Some common symptoms of this condition include diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and breathing difficulties.

Salt

Although sodium is healthy for dogs, they don’t need a lot of it. Curry contains a lot of salt in it that can lead to sodium poisoning in dogs. Dehydration and excessive thirst are the initial and most obvious signs of this condition. Vomiting may also accompany these symptoms. In extreme cases, your pup may go into seizures. Therefore, curry and other salty foods are a big NO for canines.

Sugar

You may find it strange, but many recipes of curry also use sugar as an ingredient. Sugar is considered a dangerous commodity for dogs, even if it is consumed in a limited quantity. This is because it increases blood sugar levels that can make way for many problems. For instance, obesity and diabetes are two of the biggest medical issues for canines and sugar can be a major culprit.

Spices

Last but not the least, different chilies and other spices can be extremely uncomfortable to dogs. They are not toxic like onion, garlic, or salt, but can result in severe gastrointestinal problems. The presence of capsaicin makes chilies irritating for pups as they will also feel pain and fire in their mouths. Hence, you should never add any spices to your pooch’s meal.

Some other common ingredients in curry that can harm your dog are cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, and coriander seeds.       

What to Do If My Dog Ate Curry?

There are many different styles of curry and some of them can be milder than others. However, the presence of toxic ingredients is a big problem. Therefore, you must keep your pup away from this food, irrespective of its spiciness.

If your canine friend has consumed curry, you must stay calm and try to figure out the toxic ingredients in it. If you find any poisonous ingredients, contact your vet and explain the situation. This information will help him/her to analyze your dogs’ condition and suggest a suitable treatment.