Although cayenne pepper won’t cause any long-term damage, it can still hurt your dog in the moment. If your dog’s eyes, nose, or paws come into contact with cayenne pepper, it can cause a burning sensation. If your dog consumes cayenne pepper, it will cause discomfort in the throat and digestive tract.
Cayenne pepper is a very healthy herb that many people like to add to their food to give it some flavor. It also has a plethora of nutrients and minerals. For humans, it’s considered a very healthy vegetable.
You may have heard of using cayenne pepper on your dog, but is this safe? In most cases, cayenne will not harm your dog. It may irritate their eyes or skin, but it is very unlikely that it causes any severe or lasting damage.
Below, we will go through some of the most common uses of cayenne pepper in canines. You may find that there are way more benefits than you expected of this common spice!
What You'll Learn
Benefits of Cayenne Pepper
There are many reasons you may give cayenne pepper to your dog or even using it topically. Cayenne has a lot of health benefits and can even ease muscle pain.
Cheap
Cayenne is extremely cost-efficient. Any use with canines requires very little. This means that a little goes a long way. Just a tiny sprinkle of cayenne pepper on your dog’s food is enough to reap the benefits.
You can find the powdered form of cayenne pepper in just about any supermarket for only a few dollars.
Accessible
You can buy it in tincture form, in gel capsules, or in powder. You should always try to buy organic and pure cayenne if you are using it for your dog. Make sure it has no other additives that could cause a problem for your pup’s stomach.
Natural
This is something that has become more and more important to dog owners in recent years. Cayenne is, of course, natural. There are no artificial ingredients. Cayenne pepper is simply ground peppers, with no strange ingredients added.
Rich in Nutrients
Cayenne pepper contains several essential vitamins, including vitamin A, C, and E. There are also antioxidants in peppers, which can help keep a dog healthy!
Effects on Dogs
It is important to note that most health benefits have been extensively studied on humans. There is less scientific research on how dogs respond to cayenne pepper. However, many dog owners claim it has a similar effect on dogs as it does on humans.
Just be sure to closely observe your dog if you choose to experiment with cayenne pepper, whether internal or external. Cayenne could prove beneficial to your dog, but it’s essential not to go overboard. A small amount of cayenne pepper can cause discomfort if misused.
Internal Use
Humans often use cayenne in detoxes or in healthy smoothies to aid digestion. Cayenne has a similar effect on the dog’s digestion as it does in humans. It can help their digestive system absorb nutrients more efficiently. It’s also great for dogs who experience excessive gas or bloating.
If your dog has other upset stomach symptoms, like diarrhea or constipation, cayenne pepper can also help.
When taken with food, cayenne is excellent for the circulatory system. It’s beneficial for blood flow and may help keep your dog’s heart healthy.
Topical Use
Cayenne pepper, combined with a few other ingredients, can make an excellent treatment for arthritis. Dog owners rave about mixing cayenne, herbs, and vinegar.
If you then soak a towel in this mixture and wrap it around sore joints, it could prove beneficial. You can also massage it into your dog’s affected muscles. This works because cayenne contains capsaicin, which is a chemical that can numb pain.
Possible Side Effects
There are some possible drawbacks to using cayenne pepper with your canine. Most of them can be avoided if you use cayenne properly and take precautions.
Irritation
The most common side effect is irritation, especially in the eyes. If you use cayenne pepper topically on your dog’s paw, and then your dog itches their eyes, it could cause severe irritation. Just like if you get spice in your eyes, it will irritate your dog’s eyes.
It is also important to avoid your dog’s eyes whenever you have handled anything spicy.
Digestive Issues
You may find your dog’s stomach thrown out of whack the first time you give them cayenne. This is usually a sign that you’re giving them a bit too much. For internal use, sprinkle a tiny amount on their kibble. This should be enough to provide them with all the long-term benefits.
When giving your dog anything new, observe your dog. There is always a chance your dog has an adverse reaction to something. If you see any swelling or excessive irritation on your dog after topical use, that’s a sign something is wrong.
Monitor your dog to make sure they are behaving normally. If there are signs of gastrointestinal upset, contact your veterinarian.
Cayenne Pepper and Dogs – Proceed With Caution
Cayenne pepper is unlikely to cause any severe problems in dogs. The worst that can happen is irritation in your dog’s eyes or nose. However, cayenne pepper does have some health benefits, so it may be worth a shot. Just make sure you avoid your dog’s eyes and nose.
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