We all love our four-legged friends and want them to be happy. What better way to treat them than to let them try some of your leftover Indian? But wait, is curry dangerous for dogs? The answer is yes, it absolutely is dangerous! I'll say it again, so I am clear… Do NOT feed curry to your dog. Why? Well, there are a few reasons which I am going to explain, right now
The Quick Answer | Can I Give Curry to My Dog?
No, it is a really bad idea.
Curry is normally packed full of things that are actually toxic to dogs. In particular onions and garlic. According to the American Kennel Club, both garlic and onions contain a compound called thiosulfate, which can damage a dog's red blood cells and make them really ill.
Even if your curry doesn't contain either of these ingredients, it's still not a good idea.
Why? Read on to find out…
Will Curry Upset My Dogs Stomach?
Yes, it almost certainly will.
Why? Curry is jam-packed full of things that aren't a dog's best friend. Here are some of the things in curry that will make your dog feel unwell (and even damage their long term health): -
- Onions (toxic to dogs)
- Garlic (toxic to dogs)
- Chilli (A stomach irritant)
- Nuts (A stomach irritant)
- Fat (a stomach irritant)
- Salt (bad for dogs kidneys)
That's quite some list, right?
Already you should see that feeding curry to your dog is a very.
What would happen if you did?
Well…
What Will happen if My Dog Eats Curry?
In short, one way or another, you are going to make your dog sick. There is just too much in curry that doesn't agree with a dog's digestive system or physiology.
While you may have spent your Saturday nights becoming somewhat accustomed to spicy food, the same can't be said of your beloved pooch.
Here are some of the things you can expect if your dog eats curry: -
Nausea and Vomiting
Dog's stomachs aren't suited to spices, especially hot spices like chilli. Most animals do one thing when they have eaten something that disagrees with them.
They vomit.
It is unkind to make your pet feel sick. We've all felt the after-effects of a particularly spicy curry, but we know better and understand why.
Sadly, dogs won't have the same restraint, and it is unfair to feed your dog something that, in the short term at least, will make them feel unwell.
Dogs aren't normally too choosy about where they vomit, either. A nice bright pile of madras on the carpet isn't the ideal end to an Indian meal.
Diarrhoea
Uh oh. It gets worse.
Curry can often contain chilli. Chilli has a compound called capsaicin. This is the compound that makes the curry taste 'hot. It is also a source of digestive irritation in both humans and pets.
You know that feeling you get the day after you've had a curry?
Yep, your dog will get it too! The only difference is that when your dog has to 'go', they really gotta go. Again, it is unfair to your dog to introduce something into their diet that will cause loose bowel movements.
You'll make your pet feel off colour and have to deal with the cleanup afterwards. Try putting that in a poop bag!
Anaemia
This is slightly more serious. By feeding curry to your dog, you could cause lasting health complications.
Curry normally contains both onions and garlic.
Garlic and onions are both parts of a family of bulbs called the allium family. The pungent smell comes from sulphides, in particular thiosulfate. This compound, when eaten in sufficient quantities, can cause the following effects in dogs: -
Anaemia (loss of red blood cells)
- Lethargy and continuous tiredness
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Breathing issues
- Circulatory issues
Overall, both or either of these ingredients can make your dog very, very ill indeed. Effectively by feeding your dog curry, you'd be inadvertently poisoning them. That curry most certainly isn't a treat for your dog.
Dehydration
If feeding your dog curry leads to vomiting and diarrhoea, they will likely become low on electrolytes and essential fluids. This can lead to severe dehydration, which in animals is a life-threatening condition.
Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Even a small amount of curry could overload a dog's digestive system. Trapped gas isn't comfortable for your pet pooch, and eating curry will cause an increase in flatulence in your dog.
Choking Hazards
Feeding your dog leftovers from an Indian meal can be a bad idea, even if there are no onions, chilli or garlic.
Why?
Dogs can choke on small bones. You might find these in things such as tandoori lamb chops or chicken tikka. Cooked bones splinter easily in a dog's jaws, increasing the risk.
Other Canine Health Problems with Curry
There are a few other things in curry that you don't really want to feed your dog.
Such as?
Well, dairy for a start. While dogs aren't allergic to dairy, it is also true that some dogs can be allergic to lactose. Certain curries contain a significant amount of cream or yoghurt. As a result, these can cause diarrhoea.
Curries can also contain nuts. While most nuts aren't toxic to dogs, they are really high in fat. A dog's digestive system doesn't process fat well, resulting in diarrhoea and vomiting (are you noticing a theme here?).
Speaking of fat, curry has a certain ingredient that we are all aware of.
Oil.
Just as with nuts, high oil content is something that a doggie's digestion just isn't designed to deal with. Again, this can lead to loose and irregular bowel movements, which isn't pleasant for you, or your dog.
In large enough quantities, ingested fat can also cause pancreatitis in dogs! This can be both very painful and fatal!
My Dog Has Eaten Curry, What Should I do?
The first step is to stop them from eating any more straight away.
Try and assess how much they have eaten.
A little curry isn't going to be the end of the world. While your dog may have some gastric discomfort (and possibly smell bad, from both ends), this should pass in a day or so, provided they haven't eaten a lot.
If you are unsure how much curry your dog has eaten, it is well worth calling a vet, if only for advice and reassurance.
Normally, your dog would have to eat a lot of curry to really experience the bad effects described above. My advice would be to keep a close eye on your dog and monitor them for any concerning symptoms.
It is also worth noting that the effects of thiosulphate poisoning can take a few days to develop. Hence, you must monitor your dog's health if you think they could be at risk.
Is Curry Dangerous for Dogs? Final Thoughts
In short, the answer to the question is curry dangerous for dogs? Is a resounding yes. Will Curry Upset a dog's stomach? Absolutely. Curry contains ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Even putting those aside, the fallout from other less harmful ingredients can be pretty bad. There is no good reason to feed a dog curry, even if they appear to enjoy it. The good news? Curry can be good for humans. Here's the proof!
Meanwhile my 8lb maltese loves a chinese curry noodle dish called singapore mai fun. Just give her a small taste whenever I get it. She enjoys it with no ill affects whatsoever. She's a strange dog, in that she will even lick hot sauce if it drips onto the floor and beg for more!