Is Mustard Safe for Dogs?

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Mustard is one of our favorite things to add to our burgers or hot dogs. If you are a dog owner whose dog is constantly trying to get ahold of your food, you might have wondered, “Can dogs eat mustard?” The shortest possible answer to that question is - NO. Dogs shouldn’t eat mustard, and here is what you should know about sharing mustard with your dog.

Is mustard safe for dogs?

Unfortunately, no matter how hard your dog begs for a slice of your mustard-dipped hot dog, you shouldn’t give them even one tiny bit. Mustard is not safe for dogs, and if your dog gets ahold and eats a lot of mustard, you should call your vet immediately. Luckily, it would take a lot of mustard to seriously harm your dog. Still, even small amounts can lead to gastrointestinal upsets.

Mustard is a plant whose seeds are toxic to dogs. These seeds contain a chemical called isothiocyanate, which gives it the pungent taste we all love. However, dogs cannot digest this chemical. If they eat a lot of it, they can suffer from different issues like diarrhea and vomiting.

Mustard often contains other ingredients that are not really safe for dogs. One of these added ingredients is salt, and dogs shouldn’t eat too much of it. They have delicate sodium levels, and salty foods might damage that balance. Eating mustard can lead to gastroenteritis, which will require vet treatments.

What is gastroenteritis?

The shortest way to explain gastroenteritis is - the inflammation of the bowels and stomach. If that happens, they will do anything they can to clear all the content out of them, and that is not only dangerous and painful for your dog but extremely messy to deal with. The dog will get diarrhea and most likely vomit. If the inflammation is not treated and you don’t recognize symptoms on time, it can lead to infection. Untreated infections are deadly, and if all the worse conditions happen simultaneously, your dog can suffer severe consequences.

What to do if your dog eats mustard?

The first thing you need to do is - don’t panic. If your dog had a lick of tiny bits of mustard, they would most likely be completely fine. Keep an eye on them for signs of gastrointestinal upsets, and make sure your dog has access to plenty of drinking water. Mustard is usually salty, and your dog will get thirsty after eating even a tiny bit of mustard.

If you want to give a healthy snack to your dog, check out this article - Healthy Fruits That Are Safe For Dogs.

If your dog somehow got to a lot of mustard and ate a whole tube of it, you should probably give your vet a call. They will most likely tell you to keep an eye on your dog, and the three key things to look out for are vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. If your dog starts showing these symptoms, it is most likely they have developed gastroenteritis. Your vet will let you know when you should bring your dog in for observation if they are a lot of mustard.

Is honey mustard safe?

Some rumors claim honey mustard is safe for dogs. The idea is that the “healing” properties in honey make mustard OK for dogs to eat. Don’t try giving your dog honey mustard. It is not safe, and the rumor is entirely wrong. Dogs should never eat mustard, and you should see to that.

Is mustard a good way to make your dog vomit?

This is another thing you should never try. Theoretically, yes, mustard will make your dog throw up, but not in a safe way. If your dog starts vomiting because of eating mustard, you might have caused them more harm. If you absolutely need to make your dog vomit, there are safe ways to do that. Call your vet, and they can lead you through that process. You have to make sure you only use safe things if you are trying to make your dog throw up. You can learn how to do that here - How to induce vomit?

In conclusion

You should never give your dog mustard. It contains chemicals dogs cannot digest, and if they eat too much of it, they can develop gastroenteritis. That condition is painful and will cause your dog to throw up and have diarrhea. Mustard is not a good or safe way to make your dog vomit. It is best to keep your dog’s diet to the things that are not risky or dangerous for them.

World Dog Finder team