Ketchup is one of the most commonly used seasonings for barbecues and fast food. With people and pets mingling about, it is easy to feed your pet meat covered in the sweet sauce. As ketchup is a highly popular additive, there is a misconception that it is safe for dogs as well. Ketchup is not just mashed tomatoes, so it does not qualify as a vegetable.
Making ketchup entails vinegar, salt, sugar, onion powder, and other agents like xanthan gum. Some of these ingredients are harmful to dogs, but the general consensus is it is not safe. Ketchup is used sparingly in most cases, though and if your dogs eat ketchup in small doses, that may not cause too many negative reactions.
Is It Okay for a Dog to Eat Tomatoes?
Tomatoes remain the main ingredient of ketchup. Ripe tomatoes particularly do not pose a toxic risk to your furry friend. Though they are not an advisable staple for your dog, a taste from time to time is completely okay. Translating that for ketchup should not follow the same rules of use. They should not be allowed to lick ketchup.
Reasons Ketchup is Bad for a Dog
Tomato ketchup does not have any nutritional value for dogs, and the additives included within the ingredients may negatively affect your dog.
The artificial flavors in ketchup, for example, can be harmful to dogs. Artificial sweeteners like xylitol, for example, are very poisonous to dogs and can significantly reduce their blood sugar level.
Ketchup also comes available with additives like onion powder, which is very harmful to dogs. They cause problems for the dog’s red blood cells and may lead to hemolytic anemia. Ironically ketchup has high levels of salt, which is detrimental to the dog’s health and can cause salt poisoning if consumed.
Though tomatoes are safe for canine consumption, they contain tomatine. It is not found in large amounts in ripe ones but is present in green tomatoes, so it is advisable to avoid feeding these types to your dog.
The most common symptom of tomatine poisoning is gastrointestinal problems like acid reflux, which may be related to eating ketchup.
If you notice your dog can eat ketchup in high quantities, it would be advisable to monitor it closely and watch for potential negative effects. For example, they can start losing appetite, act lethargic, or have urine that looks red. Should they develop these conditions, make sure to consult the veterinarian immediately.
Tomato Sauce and Other Tomato-Based Products
Your dog may be interested in other tomato-infused products like spaghetti and sauces. Similarly, these are not healthy for your dog due to the additional salt and sugar, not to mention artificial agents that are part of the ingredients. The soups and sauces are also seasoned with onions and garlic powder, which are toxic to dogs, so it would be advisable to stick with the ripe fresh tomatoes.
What to Do If Your Dogs Eat Ketchup Accidentally
If your dogs eat ketchup, please monitor them for the next few hours. Take them to the veterinarian if they begin to show any signs of sickness or an allergy to the ketchup. It can present in abdominal pain, skin irritation, and vomiting.
Should the dog lick homemade ketchup or get to your plate of French fries, it should not be so bad, but that also depends on the dog’s size. In significant quantities, ketchup is dangerous for your pets.
How Your Dog Can Access Ketchup
You may not want the dog to accidentally lick ketchup whenever it fancies, but risky scenarios could make it a bit tricky to control its movements. For example, cookouts and barbecues involve your friends and family coming over to have a great time.
The dog may be excited by all the new smells and faces, so if they are friendly, you will likely see them all over the place.
It would be hard to keep tabs on their movements, and they could get to the ketchup-laced burgers and hot dogs. If you are worried about your dog eating or being fed things they are not supposed to consume, it might be good to seclude them during the event. The use of one of today’s best dog crates is perfect for this purpose.
Another potential risk is unwashed dishes. Traces of ketchup on the sink could lure the dog as they are attracted to the scent of meat left. Even if you do not want to do all of the dishes at a go, the thing would be to rinse the ketchup before leaving the plates in the sink. Similarly, accidents will be avoided if you know how to stop a dog from begging for food.
FAQS
Can your dog eat ketchup?
Ketchup does not only have tomatoes but other artificial flavors and spices like onion powder which should not be in your dog’s diet, so it is not advisable to let them lick ketchup.
Can dogs eat mayonnaise?
Mayonnaise may be popular for sandwiches and burgers, but it is very fatty. It is not toxic to dogs, though, as it consists of an emulsion of oil and egg yolks. The fattiness may lead to long-term problems, however.
How much ketchup is toxic for dogs?
One of ketchup’s ingredients, xylitol, is very toxic if it is in the dog’s diet. Dogs that ingest more than 500 milligrams per kilogram of their weight can develop acute liver failure and a tablespoon of ketchup has 2000 milligrams of xylitol. Tomato poisoning is also likely to happen [1].
