Can Dogs Eat Capers Safely?
Does your dog love capers? Are capers safe for dogs?
The answer to that question is yes and no. Capers have several health benefits, and although they are safe snacks for dogs, they could also be a health risk. Capers are immature buds of the flowers found on a caper bush. They are harvested and then dried or pickled in brine. Here’s what is important — brine is a solution of water and a high concentration of salt.
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What makes capers unsafe for dogs?
You might not be aware that consuming too much salt could be life-threatening for pooches. The daily intake for medium-sized pups weighing around 33 pounds must never be more than 100 mg (.003 oz). A tablespoon, which is a small portion of pickled capers, could have a salt content of 250 mg or more. That is two-and-a-half times the safe intake.
Salt poisoning
Giving Doggo pickled capers straight from the jar of brine could cause a significant drop in his blood sugar. He might faint and experience seizures and tremors or go into a coma. It could also cause salt poisoning, causing dehydration, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. He will drink too much water, have a swollen stomach, stiff muscles and be overly tired.
Here’s the ‘YES’ part of the answer
Salt intake will only risk Doggo’s health if he consumes too much of it. In fact, he actually needs small amounts of salt to balance electrolytes and maintain proper nerve functioning. In addition, capers contain antioxidants, Vitamins A, K, B2 and B3, copper, calcium and iron, all of them great nutrients. Centuries ago, capers served medicinal purposes for treating paralysis, liver and kidney issues, rheumatism, sciatica, toothache and painful menstruation.
How can you make capers a safe treat for your dog?
The best way to prevent adverse health consequences is to soak the capers for some time and then rinse them thoroughly. That will remove most of the salt from the capers, and make it safe to share with your precious pup.
