what happens if a dog eats a spicy chicken wing

What Happens if a Dog Eats a Spicy Chicken Wing?

Chicken wings can be a tasty snack for humans but they can cause problems for dogs. Dogs have a much more sensitive sense of taste than people so spicy seasonings that seem mild to us can be overpowering for them. Eating spicy chicken wings can upset a dog’s stomach and cause digestive issues. However, in most cases, no serious harm is done if a dog eats a spicy chicken wing in moderation.

How Spicy Food Affects Dogs

Dogs experience taste similarly to humans, but their taste buds are more sensitive. Where a dash of pepper may add a subtle heat for us, even a small amount of spice can overwhelm a dog’s palate.

Capsaicin is the chemical compound that gives chili peppers and spices like cayenne their heat. When a dog eats spicy food containing capsaicin, it irritates the trigeminal nerve endings in their mouth and throat. This causes a burning sensation and discomfort.

Ingesting spicy foods can overstimulate a dog’s gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. In some cases, vomiting may occur. The spiciness can also cause excessive thirst as the dog tries to relieve the burning feeling in their mouth.

Extremely hot spices and large amounts of capsaicin can potentially damage the sensitive tissues of a dog’s mouth and esophagus. However, a single spicy chicken wing is unlikely to contain enough heat to cause lasting harm.

Risks of Chicken Bones

While the spice content may cause some stomach upset, the biggest risk from eating chicken wings comes from the bones. Chicken bones can easily splinter and puncture or block a dog’s digestive tract.

Cooked bones are especially hazardous as they become brittle and prone to splintering. Sharp bone fragments can damage the mouth, throat, or stomach lining Small pieces can also get lodged and cause a dangerous obstruction in the esophagus, windpipe, or intestinal tract.

To avoid this threat, dog owners should never give cooked chicken bones of any kind to dogs. It only takes swallowing one small shard to cause serious harm.

Signs of Trouble

If your dog ate a spicy chicken wing, watch for these signs of possible problems:

• Excessive drooling
• Pawing at the mouth
• Gagging or coughing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain or tenderness

Severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, or obvious discomfort are reasons to call your vet promptly. Also contact your vet if symptoms don’t resolve within 24 hours.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats a Spicy Chicken Wing

Don’t panic if your dog scarfs down a spicy chicken wing before you can stop them. Here are some steps to take:

• Check their mouth for any remaining bones or bone fragments and remove them carefully.
• Contact your vet, especially if you suspect your dog swallowed any bones.
• Monitor for signs of distress or discomfort.
• Make sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh water to help dilute the spice and prevent dehydration.
• Feed a bland diet of rice and boiled chicken for a day or two to give their digestive system a rest.
• Avoid any further spicy foods which could worsen stomach upset.
• Call your vet if symptoms concern you or persist more than 24 hours.

Preventing Future Problems

The best way to avoid issues is to keep chicken wings safely out of your dog’s reach. Never feed cooked chicken bones to dogs. Also avoid leaving unattended plates of spicy food within reach.

You can give dogs boneless, unseasoned chicken cooked without spices, but chicken bones should always be avoided. If you want to share a special snack with your dog, choose a non-spicy dog treat made just for them instead of people food.

With a little care, occasional accidents like a snatched chicken wing don’t have to be a crisis. Just supervise your dog closely afterward and contact your vet if you have any concerns. By understanding the risks and how to respond, you can keep your four-legged friend safe and healthy.