Can Dogs Eat Curry? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ
By Adam Mann
Updated on
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If you’re like us, your dog comes by the dinner table no matter what you eat. They’re always hoping for a bite or two, but just because they want it doesn’t mean you should give it to them. Curry is the perfect example of this.
Regardless of the type of curry, you should not feed it to your dog. There are numerous reasons it’s a bad idea, and we’ll go over it all for you here. Not only that but we’ll also highlight some other foods you should keep away from your dog and give you some great healthy treat options.
Why You Should Never Feed Your Dog Curry
There are a few different ingredients that you can commonly find in curry that make it wholly unsuitable for dogs. While you might think you can remove these ingredients to make a “dog-safe” curry, once you take out everything they can’t eat, it’s no longer really considered curry!
Alliums
Alliums are everything that falls into the onion family. Green onions, chives, garlic, and of course, regular onions all fall into this category. The problem for dogs is that alliums are toxic and can lead to a severe and potentially deadly drop in their red blood cell count.
Curry Powder
Chiles and cayenne pepper are two common ingredients you can find in curry, but the truth is that anything with capsaicin can upset your dog’s stomach. Capsaicin is what gives spicy foods their heat, and since curry is well-known for its spice level, it’s not easy to find a completely mild version.
Curry Leaves
While curry leaves don’t present the same level of concern as alliums or curry powder, they can still lead to digestive issues for your dog if they eat some.
When to Take Your Dog to the Vet After Eating Curry
Most of the time, you won’t need to take your dog to the vet if they get into a little curry, but you will want to keep an eye on them. If they start to present with severe digestive issues, you’ll want to take them to a vet.
If they ate a curry with a lot of onion you should contact your veterinarian straight away for advice. Pale or yellow gums, an increased breathing rate, excessive weakness, or collapsing are signs of hemolytic anemia, and it can be a life-threatening condition for dogs.
Safe Treat Options for Your Dog
Just because you shouldn’t feed your pup curry doesn’t mean that there aren’t some safe treat options out there for them. We’ve highlighted four outstanding treat options you can feed your pup when they’re begging for a bite of your food.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a great sweet treat for your dog that doubles as a hydrating snack on hot summer days. Remove the rind and any seeds before feeding it to your dog.
Green Beans
Green beans are a great snack for your dog. They’re full of nutrients and fiber, giving your dog the nutrients they need while helping them feel full after eating them.
Bananas
Most dogs love bananas, and they’re full of healthy nutrients. Another perk is that they don’t cost much, although they do spoil quickly. Just don’t overdo it with bananas because they are high in natural sugars.
Broccoli
Broccoli is another great snack for dogs. You can feed your dog either cooked or raw broccoli, but cooked broccoli is a little easier for your dog to digest. Just avoid any seasonings on the broccoli, as these aren’t healthy for your dog.
Other Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog
While there are some safe treat options for your pup, there are also plenty of foods that aren’t safe for you to feed your dog. We’ve highlighted four different foods that you should never feed your dog for you here.
Chocolates
Chocolate is one of the classic foods that you should never feed your dog and for good reason. Chocolate contains caffeine, theobromine, and tons of sugar, all of which are terrible for your pup, and theobromine in particular is toxic.
Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that you can find in many foods, including some peanut butter. Always check the ingredient list before feeding anything to your dog. Xylitol is safe for humans but causes dangerously low blood sugar in dogs and even liver damage.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs and within 12 hours they can have signs including fever, vomiting, and weakness. It is not safe to share your macadamia nuts with your dog.
Dairy
Most mammals, including dogs, are largely lactose intolerant. While a little milk, cheese, or another dairy product won’t usually cause any harm, larger amounts can lead to some digestive distress and discomfort. Your dog might enjoy eating the dairy, but the discomfort it’s going to put them through isn’t worth it.
Final Thoughts
While you shouldn’t feed your dog curry, nothing is stopping you from keeping some healthy treat options for your dog at the table. Keep the curry far away from them, but feel free to give them plenty of healthy treats from time to time!
Your dog trusts you to keep them safe, so just because they’re asking for something doesn’t mean you should give it to them.
