Can dogs eat ketchup? You might have wondered this if your dog begged for a taste while you were adding some ketchup to a burger during barbecue season or adding the popular tomato-based condiment to some fries. If humans can eat ketchup, can dogs safely eat it too?
There is no short yes or no answer as to whether dogs can eat ketchup safely. While ketchup does usually contain a couple of ingredients that can be toxic and harmful to dogs, sneaking in the occasional lick of ketchup likely won’t cause your dog too many adverse reactions.
As always, you must ask your regular vet before going ahead and sharing any human food with your beloved pooch, including ketchup. Here’s what you need to know about ketchup and dogs.
When Is Ketchup Okay For Dogs To Eat?
The main ingredient in most ketchups is tomatoes, and ripe tomatoes without leaves or stems are not toxic to dogs. While tomatoes should not form the majority of your dog’s diet, you can occasionally give your dog a bite as a snack or a treat.
So when it comes to a dog who sneaks in a lick or two of ketchup, they should hopefully be fine and not suffer from any adverse reactions.
When Is Ketchup Bad For Dogs?
While tomatoes are the main ingredient in most ketchups, commercial brands usually also contain both garlic powder and onion powder. These two ingredients are not good for dogs.
In the case of onion powder, certain compounds in the ingredient can harm a dog’s red blood cells. In turn, this could cause a dog to suffer from anemia.
When it comes to garlic powder, this is equally as dangerous for dogs when it comes to its negative impact on red blood cells.
Additionally, most commercial ketchups contain high levels of sodium, which is definitely not something you want to get into the habit of feeding to your canine.
If you notice that your dog has managed to eat a significant amount of ketchup, you should monitor the situation closely and keep an eye out for possible symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of a dog eating too much ketchup include:
- Acting lethargic
- Losing their appetite
- Seeming weaker than usual
- Urine that looks red in color
If you notice that your dog seems to be showing significant symptoms after eating ketchup, make sure to consult your regular veterinarian straight away.
Has your dog ever had a taste of your ketchup? How did they feel afterward? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
