Can Dogs Eat Mayo | Here's What Experts Say

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A sandwich without mayonnaise isn’t complete. At least, that is how some people in our team feel. If you’re the same and you love eating mayo, you know how rich and tasteful it can be. It is a great condiment to many different meals or snacks. We are aware that it is not the healthiest thing in the world for us, but we can’t help it.

If you’re a dog owner, you probably noticed how your dog looks at you while you’re making yourself something to eat. Dogs might be more interested in ham or cheese, but they will definitely not say NO to mayo, as well. You might catch yourself wondering, “Can dogs eat mayo?” To be honest, there aren’t any ingredients in mayonnaise that are toxic to dogs, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your dog should eat mayo. Here’s what you should know about dogs and mayo.

Is mayo safe for dogs?

Before you decide to include anything new in your dog’s diet, you need to make sure it’s safe for them. Dogs will gladly eat anything we’re eating, and they have little concern about safety. Grapes are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure, but if you drop one on the floor, your dog will probably pick it up.

Mayo is a tasty condiment for us, but not everything we eat is safe for dogs. Technically speaking, mayo doesn’t contain ingredients that will cause toxicity in dogs. In fact, here are the main ingredients mayonnaise is made of;

• Vegetable oil - In most commercial mayonnaise, the main ingredient is soybean or sunflower oil. In some cases, it can be made with olive oil. All of these ingredients are safe for dogs in controlled amounts.
• Water - Water makes about 7% of mayonnaise, and we don’t need to go into too many details about water’s safety.
• Egg yolks - This is another ingredient safe for dogs, but they shouldn’t eat large amounts. Egg yolks are packed with calories, and you don’t want to give your dog too much of those.
• Salt - Salt is generally not safe for dogs. However, in such small amounts, the dog would probably be completely fine.
• Sugar - The same is true for sugar as it is for salt. It is not something you should give your dog, but tiny amounts contained in mayo are probably acceptable.
• Vinegar - This is not something your dog will actively seek out, but even if they grab a lick of vinegar, they will be fine. The dog will probably not like the taste of it.

As you can see, these ingredients are safe for dogs in moderate amounts. Mayonnaise is technically safe for dogs. However, you should not give your dog mayo.

Can I give my dog mayo?

Giving your dog mayonnaise is not a good idea. You shouldn’t mix it in their food or give them a spoonful of mayo to lick. Your dog might seem really interested in getting some of this delicious condiment from you. Still, you have to resist their adorable puppy eyes and not give in to their begging.

The biggest issue with mayo and dogs is mayo’s fat content. It is incredibly rich in fats, and those are simply not safe for dogs. Mind you, if your dog sneaks a lick or two of mayonnaise, they will be completely fine. However, purposely feeding your dog mayonnaise can lead to health issues.

Health issues from giving mayo to dogs

To be completely honest, humans should watch their mayonnaise consumption. It might be delicious, but it is not something that doctors would recommend we regularly consume. It might fit great in a sandwich, but you can quickly gain weight and develop cardiovascular problems from eating too much mayo. Dogs aren’t immune to health issues that come from eating mayonnaise. The health problems dogs can develop are;

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an excruciating pancreas inflammation. It can be caused by suddenly eating too much fatty food. The pancreas cannot deal with so many fats, and the natural reaction is inflammation. You can read more about it here - Pancreatitis in dogs.

Gastrointestinal upset

This is a dog’s natural reaction when they eat large amounts of something that’s not usually in their diet. They will get diarrhea, stomachache, vomit, and lose appetite. If these issues continue, you should call your vet and ask for advice.

Can my dog eat light mayo?

Light mayonnaise is still mayonnaise. The standard version can contain up to 80% of oil and about 7% of water. Light mayo will decrease the oil content to 50% and increase water content to 35%. That is still unsafe for dogs, and even eating light mayonnaise can cause health issues.

What can I give my dog instead of mayo?

If you’re absolutely adamant about “spicing up” your dog’s diet, there are a lot safer alternatives than mayonnaise. In fact, there are things you can give your dog they will enjoy as much as mayo but are healthy. Here are some of the things you can give to your dog instead of mayo;

Yogurt

One of the best things you can include in your dog’s diet is yogurt. It is very tasty to dogs, and it is a probiotic. That means it can restore their gastrointestinal balance. You can give one cup to your medium-sized dog once every couple of weeks.

Fruit

We know this is not an exact substitution for mayonnaise, but you can mix in some fruits in your dog’s usual meal. The dog will enjoy the taste and get a nutritional boost. Healthy fruits can give dogs all sorts of health benefits.

Cottage cheese

This might be a bit closer to mayonnaise, and your dog should love eating it. However, you need to make sure you get low-fat cottage cheese for your dog. The low-fat version contains proteins and probiotics your dog will benefit from. Just make sure your dog is not lactose intolerant.

World Dog Finder team