Mayo is our favorite dressing to top our fries or to add in burgers. Its rich flavor can tempt anyone. Most pet parents love to share their food with their fur buddies. So, are you wondering can dogs eat mayo without any issues?
Maybe not! Many dogs love to eat human food. Human food is not only rich in flavor but also contains ingredients that might be toxic to our dogs. Mayo is full of fat. Your dog may find it tasty to eat but it is not healthy at all.
The nutritive qualities of mayo don’t make it a good choice for your pooch. It can lead to various health problems in dogs.
In this post, we will be answering your question can dogs eat mayo? Along with the health issues it can cause, and some safe alternatives to mayo. So, let’s begin!
Can Dogs Eat Mayo? Is It Safe for Dogs?
The ingredients used to make mayo are not toxic to dogs. However, the high-fat content of the mayo can be harmful to dogs if eaten in a large amount.
Consumption of fatty foods regularly can cause gastrointestinal issues in dogs. It also increases the risks of pancreatitis (painful inflammation of the pancreas) in dogs.
If your dog has a history of pancreatic problems, you must refrain from feeding him mayo. If your dog likes mayo or creamy textures, you can serve him alternatives that we have listed below!
1) What’s Inside Mayo?
Mayo is a smooth, thick, and creamy dressing most people love to eat in their burgers and sandwiches. Mayo is the most popular dip sauce and can be found in many variations.
It is an emulsion of oil and egg yolks. Vinegar or lemon juice is added to make it flavorful and rich. Some variations also include mustard, spices, garlic, and herbs.
Mayo is a special ingredient in many meals that pet owners might want to share with their dogs. But, can dogs eat mayo? Do they even find it tasty?
2) Can Dogs Eat Mayo? Do They Like It?
Dogs are carnivores but most dogs like the taste of dairy products such as cream, cheese, and yogurt, etc. If your dog is one of the dairy lovers, you might be thinking about can dogs eat mayo too?
Many dogs find mayo delicious and love it equally as humans do.
You can read our guides on dairy products like Sour Cream, Cream Cheese, Whipped Cream, Almond Milk, and many more if your fur baby is a dairy fan!
3) Can Mayo Be Poisonous to Dogs? 4 Risk Factors:
No ingredient in the mayo poses a risk of poisoning dogs. But it does not mean that you shouldn’t have any concerns with feeding your dog mayo.
Experts say that there are three major reasons that you shouldn’t feed mayo to your dogs. Those three factors are:
A) Salmonella Poisoning:
The main ingredient in mayo is egg, so the main risk factor is acquiring salmonella. it is a bacterial infection caused by eggs. In this case, homemade mayo has a greater risk as compared to store-bought mayo.
The symptoms of food poisoning in dogs are similar to that of humans. It includes:
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Mucus in stool
- Increased heart rate
- Swollen lymph nodes
B) Artificial Ingredients:
As mayo is blended with many types of seasonings and flavors, it has a risk of causing allergic reactions in dogs. Mayo may contain garlic, herbs, and spices, or their artificial alternates.
Any ingredient, artificial or not can cause allergy in humans as well as in dogs. Dogs are not immune to artificial ingredients so you should observe your dog for allergic reactions if he has licked on the mayo.
C) High-Fat Content:
Oil is the prime ingredient of mayo. Feeding it to the dog easily increases fat content in his diet. Excessive fat intake can cause a variety of health issues including obesity.
Mayo is only an unnecessary calories-providing thing, it has no nutritional benefits to dogs. It can have a worse impact on your dog’s health and quality of life. Your dog may face;
- Difficulty or pain in moving
- Low energy levels
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Pain in joints
- Heart and other organ issues
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Cancer
- Metabolic disorders
D) Soy:
We have talked about health issues eggs and oil can cause. But there can be another risk factor which is soy. Many mayo manufacturers use soybeans in their mayo. And we all know that soy allergies are not rare in dogs of all ages and breeds.
If you are concerned that your dog is having food poisoning, you must consult with your Vet and proceed with professional advice.
4) Common Allergic Reactions Mayo Can Cause:
A dog can have an allergy to any food or ingredient. If your dog develops an allergy after eating mayo it can be due to the ingredients used in mayo. Allergy can result in any of the following symptoms:
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Itching
- Fever
- Lethargy etc.
5) Is Mayo Healthy for Dogs?
A lick on mayo rarely is totally fine if your dog is not lactose intolerant or didn’t develop any allergy from mayo before. However, dogs should not eat mayo on regular basis.
If you like to eat mayo, make sure your buddy doesn’t make it a habit too. Mayo is too fatty and high in calories. It does not serve any nutritional value to your pooch.
It is best to keep mayo away from your fur buddy if you want him to be active and healthy.
6) What to Do If Your Dog Ate Mayo?
There is probably nothing to worry about if your dog has eaten a little bit of mayo. However, if your dog has consumed a lot of mayo, you should take him to the veterinarian immediately.
It may result in any of the mentioned allergies or adverse reactions. If your dog starts showing any unusual signs of being affected by mayo, you must consult your Vet.
It is always better to take necessary precautions on time.
7) What Alternatives You Can Give Your Dog If He Likes to Eat Mayo?
Here we are! If you want to give your dog tasty treats, there are better options to consider than mayo. Mayo is high in fats, calories, and has no nutritional benefits.
A) Peanut Butter:
Peanut butter is relatively lower in fat than mayonnaise. You can add up to one tablespoon of peanut butter into your dog’s food to make it a tasty snack.
The protein in peanut butter is good for dogs and its texture can satisfy your dog’s creamy cravings.
You must note that the peanut butter you are serving to your pooch does not contain any artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners and xylitol can be lethal to dogs.
B) Yogurt:
Yogurt does not only have a creamy texture but a full-fat plain Greek yogurt contains ten times less fat than mayo. It has a good protein content and valuable prebiotics that keep your dog’s gut healthy.
Don’t forget to read the label for ingredients. Make sure to choose a plain yogurt that doe not have a lot of sugar or any artificial sweeteners or xylitol.
If your dog is lactose intolerant, you can go for dairy-free substitutes.
C) Low-Fat Cottage Cheese:
Low-fat cottage cheese is a good option for dogs that can tolerate dairy. Like yogurt, cottage cheese has prebiotics and proteins that can be advantageous for dogs. Make sure to keep the amount reasonable.
Can Dogs Eat Mayo? Conclusion:
Mayo is full of fat. Small amounts of mayo rarely as a treat is fine for dogs who are not allergic to dairy or any ingredients used in mayo.
Moderation is the key when it comes to adding human food to your pet’s diet. You must introduce a little amount of new food to check for allergic reactions or bacterial infections.
If your fur buddy snacked on a lot of mayo or you observe any unusual symptoms in your dog, you must consult your Vet and seek professional advice.
You can offer healthy alternatives to your companion if he is fond of eating creamy-textured food like peanut butter, yogurt, and low-fat cottage cheese.
Remember dogs have a sensitive stomach and they should stick to their carnivorous diet to stay healthy and active.