Honey mustard is one of the most popular condiments in the world. It is used on everything from hot dogs and sandwiches to chicken wings and pretzels.
It’s tangy, sweet, a little spicy, and totally delicious! If you’ve ever eaten something with honey mustard in front of your dog, you know how powerful those puppy eyes can be. So is it safe to give in and give them a bite?
Unfortunately for your furry friend, the answer is no. Honey mustard is not safe for dogs to eat. Let’s take a closer look at why and what you can do if your dog accidentally ingests some.
What is honey mustard sauce?
Honey mustard is a condiment that combines honey and mustard, along with other ingredients like vinegar, mayonnaise, and spices like garlic powder, salt, cayenne, and other flavors. It’s a versatile sauce that can be used as a dip, dressing, or glaze.
Is it okay to give dogs honey mustard sauce?
No, honey mustard is not safe for dogs. Avoid giving it to them altogether. There are several reasons for this. First is the mustard itself. If you’ve ever tried pure mustard, you know it tastes harsh and spicy.
That’s because mustard seeds contain compounds that can disrupt your dog’s stomach and intestinal tract, causing them to throw up, lose their appetite, and have other unpleasant consequences.
The second reason is the honey. While honey is safe for dogs in small quantities, too much can cause problems like weight gain, digestive issues, and even diarrhea. Honey is packed with sugar, too, which is something you should avoid giving your dog as well.
Aside from mustard and honey, honey mustard sauce also contains ingredients that are potentially harmful to dogs, such as garlic and vinegar.
Finally, because honey mustard is a condiment, it’s usually eaten with foods like hot dogs, sandwiches, and fried chicken wings which are also unhealthy for dogs to eat. Either way, it’s best to keep this sauce away from your pup.
Bottled Honey Mustard Can Be Toxic to Dogs
Because honey mustard is so popular, you can find it in just about any grocery store. However, we recommend a blanket ban on all honey mustard products, even if they look harmless. In fact, let’s look at the ingredients list for this common brand:
“WATER, SOYBEAN OIL, VINEGAR, SUGAR, HONEY, DIJON MUSTARD (WATER, MUSTARD SEED, VINEGAR, SALT, WHITE WINE, CITRIC ACID, TARTARIC ACID, FRUIT PECTIN, SUGAR, SPICE), MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SALT, EGG YOLKS, MUSTARD SEED, NATURAL FLAVOR, SORBIC ACID AND CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (TO PROTECT FLAVOR), DRIED ONIONS, SPICE, BETA CAROTENE (COLOR).”
A lot of things there don’t offer health benefits for dogs, while others are potentially toxic to them. For instance, the vinegar and citric acid content can irritate the lining of your dog’s stomach.
Onions are poisonous to dogs, as is a wine of any kind. Sugar and salt are also bad for dogs in large quantities. In addition, cornstarch contains empty calories that can lead to weight gain, and preservatives like calcium disodium EDTA have been linked to health problems in dogs.
Finally, notice how “sugar” comes before “honey” in that ingredient list? That means there’s more sugar than authentic honey in this product, which is not good for dogs at all.
Authentic honey is more expensive and doesn’t have the same shelf life as sugar, so many companies often use cheaper substitutes like refined sugar, corn syrup, or molasses. Stay away from anything with xylitol as well – it’s an artificial sweetener that’s extremely toxic to dogs.
Homemade Honey Mustard is Also Not Safe for Dogs
In the case of honey mustard sauce, homemade doesn’t mean safer for dogs. Aside from honey and mustard, DIY recipes often call for ingredients like distilled vinegar, salt and sugar, spices like cayenne, and in some cases, garlic and onion.
Again, all of these ingredients can potentially cause problems for your dog. That’s why we recommend avoiding honey mustard sauce altogether, whether it’s store-bought or homemade.
What happens if dogs eat honey mustard?
Unless they’re allergic to anything in the mustard, they’ll most likely be okay after eating a bit of it. However, observe for signs of gastric distress in dogs such as:
- Excessive saliva
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Agitation
Since dogs can be allergic to countless things, there’s the possibility that your dog could have a reaction to honey mustard. Symptoms of an allergic reaction in dogs include:
- Hives
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue
- Difficulty breathing
- Redness or watery eyes
If your dog starts showing any of these signs, call your vet immediately. Similarly, if they ate a lot of honey mustard, it’s best to take them to the vet just to be on the safe side.
Real Honey is Okay for Dogs to Eat
In case you’re wondering, honey is a nice treat to give your dog once in a while. It’s loaded with nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Plus, it has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can also help soothe dogs with aching tummies since it’s a natural probiotic.
While it’s okay to give your dog honey, make sure it’s 100% pure. Keep it as a rare treat, as well. Honey is still a form of sugar, and sugar is unhealthy for dogs.
Keep Your Dog Away from All Types of Mustard
Mustard is not safe for dogs. Specifically, mustard seeds have trace amounts of toxic compounds which have minimal effect on humans but can be harmful to our canine companions.
Again, institute a blanket ban: no mustard for dogs, no exceptions. This includes all types of mustard: homemade, wild, English, Dijon, honey, yellow, and mustard powder.
What about mustard greens or mustard leaves?
You might be wondering if dogs can eat mustard greens. Luckily, this part of the mustard plant is completely safe for dogs to eat. Mustard leaves belong to the same plant family as cabbage, and these leaves contain nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E that provide a good boost for their immune system.
Verdict: Can dogs eat honey mustard?
It’s hard not to fall in love with honey mustard sauce – it makes everything so much more delicious with its sweet and tangy zing! Still, honey mustard is one human food you should keep out of your pup’s paws. Honey mustard contains ingredients that can disrupt your dog’s digestive system.
Enjoy it on your own, and instead, make it up to your dog with a bit of fetch or chase; or give them some dog-friendly snacks. They’ll forgive you, we promise!