Sundubu jjigae (Korean soft tofu stew)

Tofu on its own is a reasonable food for dogs, which is why sundubu jjigae fools people. The white curds look bland. The danger is entirely in the broth around them. Sodium leads. A restaurant portion of sundubu jjigae typically runs 1,500-2,000 mg of sodium, which works out to roughly 4-5 g of salt in the bowl. The Merck Veterinary Manual reports clinical signs of salt toxicosis in dogs after about 2-3 g/kg, with a lethal dose near 4 g/kg. A 22 lb (10 kg) dog that drank the entire bowl lands around 0.5 g/kg; a 5 lb Chihuahua working at the broth gets much closer to the signs range. Long before the numbers matter, you get intense thirst, frequent urination, vomiting and diarrhea. Garlic and scallion are next. The seasoning base of this stew is chili flakes bloomed in oil with minced garlic and green onion. Merck sets the raw-onion clinical threshold at 15-30 g/kg in dogs and notes garlic is 3-5 times more toxic, in cooked form as much as raw. The oxidative damage forms Heinz bodies in red blood cells, and hemolysis typically follows 3-5 days after the meal. Then the chili. AKC says outright never to give dogs spicy pepper varieties such as jalapenos or chili peppers. Capsaicin irritates the mouth and stomach lining directly. Add pork belly, sesame oil and a cracked egg and the fat load climbs too, which matters for a dog with any pancreatitis history. Seafood versions built on clams or oysters bring shell fragments, which are sharp enough to cut the mouth and to obstruct the gut. Temperature is the one people forget. This stew is served still boiling in a stone pot. A dog who sticks his tongue in will burn his mouth. Signs usually begin within hours: heavy drinking, frequent urination, vomiting, diarrhea, and in serious salt exposures muscle tremors and seizures. At day three to five, watch for pale or yellow gums and cola-colored urine. Note whether your dog got tofu only or the broth as well, roughly how much, when, and his weight, then call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Never use salt water to make a dog vomit — that adds to the exact problem you are treating. Do not withhold water, but do not leave an unlimited bowl either; ask your vet how much to offer, because sodium corrected too quickly causes cerebral edema. If you want to share tofu, set aside a plain unseasoned piece before the pot is built.