While capers are not toxic to dogs, we recommend you feed them something else.
What are capers?
When we refer to capers, we usually talk about the edible (unripe) flower buds of the caper bush. Capers are small in size, comparable to a chickpea’s size, and are usually green in colour with shades of yellow or purple. They are most commonly consumed in a pickled form – added to salads, pastas and pizzas. Most often they are found pickled in a solution of water, vinegar and salt, within glass jars, at your local supermarket.
Can dogs have capers?
If the capers are pickled in a solution of water, vinegar and salt – and nothing else – then they are considered harmless to your dog in safe amounts. So if your dog has sneakily gobbled up a few capers you have dropped on the kitchen floor, then you generally do not need to worry.
However, if your pet pooch has eaten a lot of capers then it may be an issue. The high salt content may cause the below:
- Dehydration
- Vomiting and nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Salt poisoning
Also, some caper brands have been prepared with preservatives – which are best to avoid for your pet. They may also contain other ingredients or plant products, which may not be dog friendly either. So, if you must feed your dog capers, be sure to check the ingredients listed on the label, otherwise we recommend avoiding capers altogether.
What about caper berries?
The caper berry is the fruit of the caper plant, rather than the unripe flower bud that most people refer to as capers. They are usually pickled with part of the stem on, and prepared the same way as the caper. The same applies to caper berries for your dog, as it does to capers – see above.
Conclusion
Pickled capers or caper berries are generally OK for your dog in small amounts. However, we do not recommend feeding them to your dog, as too much salt can make your pet upset. Also, some brands of pickled capers can use nasty preservatives or ingredients which are not dog-safe.
