Mustard is a condiment that few dogs will go near. But what about mustard seeds? That should be safe, right? Can dogs eat mustard seeds? Unfortunately, Dogs cannot eat mustard seeds. They are not safe for dogs. The pungent flavor of these seeds could trigger vomiting.

But why do mustard seeds cause so much trouble? Let’s take a detailed look at the science behind this ingredient.

Mustard Seeds: What They Are and What They Do

Mustard is a plant that grows wild in Europe and Asia. The seeds from this plant are ground into powder to make the yellow condiment enjoyed by humans. And it is this same powder that can sicken our canine companions.

The mustard family of plants includes many spices, such as:

• Cayenne pepper
• Sesame seeds (without their shell)
• Horseradish leaves and roots

The science behind what makes mustard so hot is called pungency, or capsaicin. Capsaicin stimulates sensory nerve endings in these areas of the body. This stimulation is painful and causes the parts of the body where it enters to react, by releasing inflammation factors. These factors also irritate the cells. The result is what we feel as heat on our skin when exposed to spicy foods or hot peppers.

Can Dogs Eat Mustard Seeds? What Happens If They Do?

No. Dogs can’t eat mustard seeds.

Ingesting too many of these seeds can lead to vomiting in dogs. Sometimes more serious symptoms may occur. The worst of these are inflammation of the intestinal mucosa and blistering of the mouth and tongue. This can be very painful for dogs. It can also lead to infections in the mouth, stomach, and intestines.

Dogs love the taste of some foods that contain capsaicin, like chili peppers and some types of chocolate, but once they get over the spreading of capsaicin through their tongue through swallowing, they will feel a lot of discomfort after eating one or two seeds.

So, it is best not to give dogs any seeds at all. Make sure you always keep these seeds in the refrigerator and out of your dog’s reach. If you do eat mustard yourself, don’t leave it out where your dog can find it.

But if your dog has consumed mustard seeds, you should induce vomiting. You can do this by putting your dog on their side, and making them roll to the left or right. As soon as your dog regurgitates the seeds, it will help stop any internal injury from occurring.

You should also immediately contact your veterinarian. Your physician will advise you on further treatment and medicine that can be given to help prevent further damage to the liver that would happen if the poisoning progressed.

Also, check out Can Dogs Eat Honey Mustard?

Conclusion

Mustard seeds are made of ground-up mustard plants. They are not poisonous, but they will upset your dog’s stomach terribly. Effects include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, breathing difficulties, etc. So, to sum up, no, dogs can’t eat the mustard seed.

Thank you for reading the article.

To explore more, here are other mustard-related dog articles.

Have you ever mistakenly given mustard seeds to your dog? What was their creation? Did you have to rush them to the vet right after? We would love to hear from you. Please share with our community by leaving a comment below!