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Gochujang is made from chili powder, glutinous rice, fermented soybean powder, salt and syrup. The heat irritates the mouth and gut, causing drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, and it's high in salt and sugar. Some store-bought, vinegared or seasoned gochujang contains garlic or onion. Gochujang-based dishes like spicy pork or tteokbokki almost always include garlic and green onion.
How to give it / if eaten
Don't give it. For a small lick, offer water and watch. If your pet ate a lot, or ate a gochujang-seasoned dish with garlic or green onion, call your vet.
Watch for these signs
Drooling, lip-licking, constant drinking, vomiting, diarrhea and belly pain may occur. Larger amounts can cause salt overload (extreme thirst, wobbliness), and seasoned dishes can lead to anemia days later (weakness, red urine).
FAQ
My dog ate a few pieces of spicy stir-fried pork.
That dish combines gochujang with garlic, onion and green onion. Estimate the amount and call your vet.
My dog licked gochujang and keeps drinking water.
That's from the heat and salt; with plenty of water it usually settles. Call your vet if vomiting continues or your dog seems lethargic.
General information only. Weight, age and health conditions change how a pet reacts, so ask your vet if you are worried.