Some dogs are not picky about what they put in their mouth. They’ll eat whatever you offer them, and when you’re not looking, they can sneak into the trashcan for some leftovers. What if they come across a leftover potato salad or a slice of sandwich with mayonnaise! Will it harm your dog’s health? Can Dogs Eat Mayonnaise? Read on to find out.
Your dog shouldn’t consume mayonnaise on a regular basis; it could trigger serious long-lasting health problems
Why Do Dogs Love Mayonnaise?
Apart from the sweet smell and taste, mayonnaise has also a high-fat content. Canines generally yearn for fatty and meaty foods. They draw more energy from fats than proteins and carbs.
According to a study by the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, domestic dogs prefer fats as a nutrient source more than proteins and carbohydrates. However, we’ve pretty much turned the canines into omnivores by feeding them with grains, wheat, and other carbs.
Is Mayonnaise Safe for Dogs?
Mayonnaise, or mayo in short, is a creamy, thick dressing used by many people as a condiment. It’s made of egg yolks, oil, and either lemon juice or vinegar. Mayo’s sweet flavor and smell make it a human favorite.
Typically, this condiment isn’t toxic and, feeding your dog with small amounts may not have any negative effect. However, mayonnaise contains eggs and high-fat content that puts your pup at the risk of obesity, contracting a bacterial infection, and other medical conditions.
Foods that are beneficial to humans aren’t necessarily safe for animals. Incorporating mayonnaise routinely into the diet of your pet could pose some serious health risks. Let’s take a deeper look at the dangers of regularly feeding mayo to your dog.
High-fat content
The fat content in mayonnaise stands at 75%, of which 60% is saturated fats. Like many processed condiments, mayo has a small number of low-nutritional ingredients and many empty calories, most of which are from fat.
Feeding mayonnaise to your dog could result in excess fat in its diet. Your pet risks obesity, which can negatively impact the quality and quantity of its life. Dogs with excess weight experience difficulties or feel pain when moving around.
The highly concentrated fat in mayo can also lead to health conditions and chronic diseases such as:
- Lethargy
- Uneasiness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Depression
- Joint pains
- Heart problems
- Pancreatitis
- Hypertriglyceridemia
- Diabetes
- Metabolic disorders
- Some cancers
- The passage time of the high saturated fats could also harm your canine.
- Soy
Most mayo manufacturers incorporate soybeans as one of the ingredients when making the condiment. Soy products produce allergic reactions to not only dogs but also a host of other animals.
Once your dog ingests the mayonnaise, its body treats the protein in the food as a brutal allergen. The soy protein then causes hypersensitive reactions that can show as any of the symptoms below:
- Excessive licking
- General distress
- Itching
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Pruritus
In case your pup suffers from a soy allergy, it’s essential that you stop feeding it any quantity of mayo that has soybean extract or oil in it.
Artificial Ingredients
Both homemade and store-bought mayonnaise contain artificial ingredients in them. The condiment is made with eggs and several other seasonings.
Whether the ingredient used is artificial or not, it can result in allergic reactions for your dog. Basically, anything that your pooch consumes could prime it for an allergic reaction. The situation could be made worse when you feed it with food full of artificial ingredients.
Salmonella Poisoning
Since mayonnaise is an egg-based condiment, picking up salmonella is one of the biggest risks that come with this food.
Contracting salmonella from a bought mayo is unlikely but it can still happen. Homemade mayo is more likely to cause a bacterial infection.
Poisoning has similar effects on pets as it does for humans. If you or your loved one has ever endured food poisoning, you’re aware of the terrible experience it brings about.
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning in dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Increased heart rate
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Slimy stool
- Fever
If your dog shows the above symptoms, contact your vet straight away. Salmonella poisoning can deteriorate the health condition of your pup. Furthermore, it’s contagious in nature and can spread to other dogs and humans as well.
Bottom Line: Can Dogs eat Mayo?
Your dog shouldn’t eat mayonnaise on a regular basis; it could trigger serious long-lasting health problems. If your furry friend gobbles up some little mayo, chances are it may be just fine. Otherwise, make effort to limit the intake of this fatty, high-calorie treat as much as you can. Can dogs eat mayonnaise? No, don’t give it to them on purpose.
If you want to introduce fat into your dog’s diet, do so by mixing the meals with a cottage cheese, healthy beans, dog food, or lean meat. And, talk to your vet!
About Dogcarelife: Every article on Dogcarelife.com is thoroughly researched and fact-checked, ensuring that you can trust the information you find. Visit our site to learn more about caring for your furry friend and feel confident in the advice you receive.
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