Ketchup goes well with almost any food; small wonder it’s one of the world’s most widely used condiments.
So should you sprinkle some ketchup on your dog’s food?
The quick answer is no. True, a tiny amount of ketchup is unlikely to hurt your dog. However, ketchup does contain ingredients unfit for canine consumption – not to mention there are types of ketchup that can seriously harm your pet.
Keep reading to learn more about how feeding your dog ketchup can affect their health!
Is ketchup bad for dogs?
Generally speaking, yes, ketchup is bad for dogs.
But how is this so? The main ingredient of ketchup is tomato fruit, and tomatoes are good for dogs in moderation.
It’s not tomatoes you have to worry about but the other ingredients found in ketchup, which include:
Vinegar
Vinegar is among ketchup’s key ingredients.
The problem is a lot of dogs don’t react well to vinegar. Therefore, if your pooch consumes ketchup, they may experience gastrointestinal upset, whose symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomachache
If untreated, these issues can lead to dehydration.
Small dogs, dogs suffering from kidney disease, and dogs with sensitive tummies are particularly susceptible to the problems caused by vinegar-rich ketchup.
Sugar
Sugar is found in many ketchup varieties. Why is this a problem? Simple: sugar is bad for dogs – especially those with a low tolerance for sugar.
The short-term problems sugar can cause dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
Frequent sugar consumption can lead to even worse problems, such as:
- Obesity (and related issues such as diabetes and heart disease)
- Hyperglycemia a.k.a. high blood sugar level
- Pancreatitis
- Dental problems
- Sugar addiction
Onion powder
Among the most common ketchup ingredients is onion powder.
Unfortunately, onions are highly toxic to dogs. This is because onions contain a chemical called N-propyl disulfide, which breaks down a dog’s red blood cells to cause hemolytic anemia.
Anemia in dogs causes the following symptoms:
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Pale gums
- Rapid breathing
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Disorientation
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Exercise avoidance
Onion toxicity also gives rise to the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Panting
- Poor appetite
- Reddish urine
- Rapid heart rate
If allowed to go untreated, onion toxicity can even kill a dog.
For a dog to experience onion toxicity, they need to consume around 100 g of onion (or a medium-sized onion) for every 20 kg of their body weight. This means two medium-sized onions are enough to poison a 40-pound dog.
A single lick of ketchup doesn’t have enough onion powder to seriously harm canines. However, keep in mind that 1) dogs with a low tolerance for onions may become ill if they ingest even a small amount of onion-rich ketchup, and 2) N-propyl disulfide can build up in a dog’s system over time until there’s enough of it to cause dangerous toxicity.
Garlic powder
Because garlic is toxic to dogs, ketchup, which usually contains garlic powder, can make your dog ill if consumed.
So why, exactly, is garlic toxic to dogs? It’s all due to a compound called thiosulfate. When consumed in abundance, thiosulfate deals oxidative damage to a dog’s red blood cells, resulting in anemia.
In addition to the anemic symptoms discussed previously, garlic toxicity produces the following issues:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Depression
- Dehydration
The good news is garlic rarely kills dogs. To suffer from toxicity, dogs need to consume around 15 to 30 grams of garlic per kilogram of their body weight.
The bad news? If your dog has a low tolerance for garlic, they may become ill even if they eat a small serving of ketchup that contains garlic. Also, consuming garlic frequently can cause the thiosulfate to accumulate in your dog’s body until the thiosulfate levels are high enough to become poisonous.
Xylitol
Sugar-free ketchup varieties contain an artificial sweetener called xylitol, a toxin so deadly even a tiny quantity can kill an average-sized dog.
Xylitol poisoning causes the following symptoms:
- Upset stomach
- Decreased activity
- Exhaustion
- Weakness
- Incoordination
- Staggering
- Shivering
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Unconsciousness
Such symptoms usually emerge some 10 to 60 minutes after a dog consumes ketchup with xylitol. However, it’s possible for a dog to show no signs until 24 hours after xylitol ingestion, which can trick owners into believing their dog hasn’t been poisoned.
If ignored, xylitol poisoning can cause liver damage, liver failure, a coma, and even death. For this reason, you should contact a vet immediately if your dog eats xylitol-containing ketchup.
Mustard
Mustard is made from mustard seeds, which are toxic to canines.
If a dog ingests mustard, they can end up with inflammation of the intestinal tract, or gastroenteritis.
The symptoms of gastroenteritis are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
Thankfully, ketchup normally doesn’t contain enough mustard to cause dogs significant issues. Of course, you should remember to keep your dog’s size in mind and the possibility that they have a low tolerance for mustard.
Salt
It’s not uncommon for ketchup to contain surplus salt.
Dogs should eat only a small amount of salt daily. Exceeding their required daily salt intake of 100 mg could lead to salt poisoning, whose symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Reduced appetite
- Incoordination
- Extreme thirst, causing excessive drinking and urination
- Confusion
- Respiratory problems
- Rapid heartbeat
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Fainting
- Coma
Without treatment, salt toxicity can even kill your dog.
FAQs about ketchup for dogs
Here, we answer more frequently asked questions about ketchup for dogs.
My dog ate ketchup. What should I do?
Stay calm. Determine how much ketchup your dog ate and what ingredients the ketchup contains.
If your dog consumed only a tiny amount of ketchup, they’ll likely be fine. You should still observe them for symptoms, however; the moment your dog experiences problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, etc., contact a vet for advice and follow any instructions they give you. If they tell you to bring your dog to the clinic, do so immediately as waiting can lead to more suffering.
The factors that increase the risk of severe toxicity include 1) consuming a considerable quantity of ketchup, and 2) consuming ketchup containing several ingredients dogs are toxic to. Call a vet immediately if either or both factors apply to your dog’s situation.
If your dog ate ketchup that contains xylitol, it’s imperative you seek veterinary aid. There’s a good chance you’ll have to rush your dog to the pet clinic or hospital for emergency, life-saving treatment.
If you can’t reach a vet, those in North America can also call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
Can dogs eat French fries with ketchup?
Absolutely not. One or two French fries may not harm your dog, but these snacks are high in salt and fat, making them extremely unhealthy for canines. Dipping French fries in ketchup makes them even more unhealthy.
Can dogs eat ketchup chips?
No. Ketchup chips have high salt and fat content, making them unhealthy for dogs. Some varieties even contain onion powder and other toxic ingredients.
Can dogs eat ketchup that comes in packets?
Nope. The ketchup that fast food restaurants provide in packets is usually packed with preservatives, chemicals, artificial flavorings, and unknown spices – all of which can harm your dog.
It’s even worse if your dog swallows the plastic packet itself, which can cause an obstruction in their gut, endangering their life. If your dog is unable to poop out the plastic, and they’re experiencing issues such as vomiting and diarrhea, rush your dog to the vet immediately; the plastic may have already caused an intestinal blockage, which needs to be removed to save their life.
What is a good ketchup alternative to feed my dog?
Plain, pure tomato sauce (i.e. tomato sauce that contains no unhealthy and/or toxic ingredients) is safe for dogs to consume. It can even benefit their health! Just make sure to feed them this sauce in moderation only.
What kind of ketchup is safe for dogs to eat?
If you intend on having your dog sample ketchup, your best bet is to give them plain, natural ketchup. This contains no toxic ingredients such as xylitol, garlic, onion, and the like. Also, remember that dogs should be fed such treats in moderation, only.
As any kind of ketchup doesn’t provide dogs with the nutrients essential to their health, however, you’re better off feeding your pet healthier, natural treats such as broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, and green beans.
Conclusion
It’s not advisable to feed dogs ketchup. True, a lick or two won’t hurt your dog. Keep in mind, however, that ketchup has little nutritional value to dogs and is more likely to cause them suffering due to its toxic ingredients.
Don’t panic if your dog eats some ketchup, but do keep an eye on them. At the slightest hint of health issue symptoms, contact a vet for assistance. Your love and dedication will ensure no permanent harm comes to your dog!