Dogs find many human foods tasty. But due to anatomical differences, they experience taste differently. When it comes to spiciness, dogs can taste it and feel the heat, but their spice taste isn't as sensitive as humans'. So, your dog might eat something spicy without feeling the same intensity. Even if dogs don't feel the full intensity of spicy foods at first, it can still affect their digestive system and make them sick, so it's best not to feed them spicy food.
Can Dogs Feel Spiciness?
Dogs have taste buds and can distinguish different tastes, but they perceive taste differently from humans. Humans have about 9,000 taste buds while dogs have only 1,700, and the number decreases as dogs age, reducing their ability to taste spicy foods. Dogs can taste and feel spiciness, but not to the same degree as humans. The difference in taste receptors between humans and dogs is likely due to a dog's ancestral diet mainly of meat, so they're more attracted to meat and fat and have trouble distinguishing nuanced flavors like humans.
Is Spicy Food Bad for Dogs?
Most spicy food isn't toxic to dogs, and they may not taste the intense spiciness. But it's still not recommended as they can have other adverse effects. For example, dogs shouldn't eat spicy peppers like jalapeños and cayenne which contain capsaicin, causing upset stomach and digestive issues. Eating spicy food can lead to vomiting or diarrhea in dogs, and in severe cases, stomach ulcers. If your dog eats something spicy, contact your veterinarian.
What Other Flavors Can Dogs Taste?
Dogs can taste sweet, sour, salty, and bitter flavors along with spice. They have additional taste receptors for water at the tip of their tongue, which become more sensitive when thirsty, likely to encourage drinking and prevent dehydration. Dogs aren't typically drawn to salty foods, probably due to their ancestral diet being low in salt, and this may be an evolutionary advantage to prevent excessive salt intake and dehydration.
Conclusion
Dogs can taste most flavors humans can, but spiciness is less intense for them. If your dog eats something spicy, watch for signs of upset stomach or digestive issues. Dogs that eat something particularly spicy should see a veterinarian for treatment and to ensure full recovery.
Featured Image Credit: Stock Studio 4477, Shutterstock
