Stop staring and wipe the drool off your chin—that plump, juicy steak isn’t going to eat itself!
You know who else is salivating at the mere sight and scent of that big, fat hunk of meat? Why, your dog, of course!
Before you give your pooch a slice of that steak, however, check if it’s covered in Worcestershire sauce. This is because Worcestershire sauce is unsafe for dogs. If they get any of this condiment into their belly, they could suffer. In the worst of cases, they could even perish.
Read on to learn more about why you shouldn’t feed dogs Worcestershire sauce!
What is Worcestershire Sauce?
Worcestershire sauce a.k.a. Worcester sauce is a type of fermented liquid condiment that’s typically directly applied to steaks, burgers, and other types of food. It’s also an ingredient in many dishes (such as beef stew, chili con carne, Oysters Kirkpatrick, Caesar salad, and Welsh rabbit) and is used to add flavor to drinks, including cocktails like Caesar and Bloody Mary.
Is Worcestershire Sauce Bad for Dogs?
Yes, Worcestershire sauce is bad for dogs. Some varieties can make your dog mildly to seriously ill. Others can even kill them.
But what makes this condiment unsafe for dogs? It’s all about the ingredients, which include:
Salt
Where does Worcestershire sauce get its satisfyingly salty taste? Where else but salt?
Yes, Worcestershire sauce is high in salt, which is a problem because dogs can’t consume that much salt. In fact, if a 33-pound dog eats over 100 mg of salt in a single day, they could end up experiencing salt toxicity.
Salt toxicity results in extreme, rapid dehydration, which impacts the muscles and even destroys brain cells, leading to dizziness, seizures, and other issues.
The symptoms of salt toxicity include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Reduced appetite
- Incoordination
- Extreme thirst, causing excessive drinking and urination
- Confusion
- Respiratory problems
- Rapid heartbeat
Severe salt toxicity can even cause:
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Fainting
- Coma
- Death
These problems usually manifest a few hours after excess salt consumption.
Because untreated salt toxicity can result in death, contact a veterinarian immediately after your dog gobbles up an abundance of any salty food.
Sugar
Worcestershire sauce isn’t just salty, it’s also sweet. This perfect blend of two opposing flavors is what makes this condiment such a mouthwatering complement to steaks.
Unfortunately for our canine pals, sugar is bad for them, too. Sure, it won’t poison them, but it can still do a number on their digestive system, especially if they have low sugar tolerance.
The digestive issues gobbling up Worcestershire sauce can cause include:
- Gas
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
Severe vomiting or diarrhea can result in dehydration, which can be deadly if left untreated.
However, regularly feeding your dog Worcestershire sauce can lead to more serious long-term issues, such as:
- Dental problems
- Sugar addiction
- Obesity
- Hyperglycemia
- Pancreatitis
The last three conditions are particularly worrisome.
Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and heatstroke. It also makes a dog more susceptible to osteoarthritis; the resulting joint pain can, in turn, discourage them from exercising, therefore preventing them from enjoying the health and weight loss benefits of physical activity.
Hyperglycemia a.k.a. high blood sugar level can evolve into diabetes, a condition associated with urinary tract infections, cataracts, hind leg weakness, and other complications that can negatively affect a dog’s quality of life.
Pancreatitis, if ignored, can be deadly, especially during an acute attack. Other problems it can cause include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal pain, poor appetite, lethargy, fever, and depression.
Contact a vet for aid if your dog displays any of the above symptoms after ingesting Worcestershire sauce.
Molasses
What the heck is molasses? It’s the offshoot of the sugar extraction process, and it’s sometimes used in Worcestershire sauce.
Molasses isn’t dog-friendly; if your pooch consumes it regularly, they can develop the following concerns:
- Stomach problems
- Obesity
- Diabetes
Seek veterinary assistance if your dog develops any of the above problems.
Xylitol
You want some Worcestershire sauce with your steak but you’re afraid of gaining weight? No problem—use sugar-free Worcestershire sauce!
Here’s the problem, though: sugar-free Worcestershire sauce may contain an artificial sweetener called xylitol, and xylitol is so toxic to dogs that even as little as 500mg of the stuff can cause them great harm.
When eaten, xylitol causes hypoglycemia—a drastic drop in blood sugar that prevents a dog’s body from functioning properly, which can result in death. Higher doses can cause liver failure and therefore also death.
Symptoms of xylitol toxicity include:
- Upset stomach
- Reduced activity
- Exhaustion
- Lethargy
- Loss of coordination
- Trembling
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Unconsciousness
These issues emerge around 10 to 60 minutes after xylitol consumption.
However, some dogs don’t experience any problems until 24 hours later, which can convince owners their pets haven’t been poisoned. It’s therefore crucial for fur parents to contact a vet immediately if their pet ingests any Worcestershire sauce that counts xylitol as an ingredient.
Chili pepper extract
The burning sensation caused by chili peppers is due to a compound known as capsaicin. While this isn’t toxic to dogs, it acts as an irritant to them.
If a dog ingests Worcestershire sauce with chili pepper extract, they could suffer from digestive issues, such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Indigestion
- Extreme thirst
- Dehydration
Consuming a surplus of sauce that’s particularly rich in chili pepper extract can lead to additional, potentially bigger problems, including:
- Panting
- Excessive drooling
- Runny nose
- Puffy, runny eyes
- Skin lesions
- Skin rashes
- Hypertension
- Gastrointestinal ulceration
In the case of severe symptoms, it’s best to bring your dog to an animal clinic or hospital as soon as possible, as the dehydration caused by water loss can be deadly if allowed to go untreated.
Garlic
Some types of Worcestershire sauce contain garlic, which is toxic to dogs.
Garlic toxicity results in the breakdown of red blood cells to cause anemia. Symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Pale or yellow gums
- Breathlessness
- Rapid breathing
- Elevated heart rate
- Abdominal pain
- Discolored urine
Remember: the smaller your dog is, the more likely they are to suffer from garlic toxicity. This is especially true if they have a low tolerance for garlic.
Seek help from a vet immediately if any of the above symptoms emerge after your dog ingests garlic-containing Worcestershire sauce.
Onions
If your chili powder contains onions, it can harm your furry friend, as onions are toxic to canines.
Like garlic, onion breaks down red blood cells to make a dog anemic. Onions are generally more dangerous than garlic, however, especially if your pooch is extremely sensitive to them.
Onion toxicity symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Panting
- Poor appetite
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Reddish urine
- Pale gums
- Rapid heart rate
- Fainting
If left untreated, onion toxicity can even kill a dog. It’s best to rush your pet to the vet if they experience the above symptoms after eating Worcestershire sauce rich in onions.
FAQs About Worcestershire Sauce for Dogs
Let’s answer more frequently asked questions about Worcestershire Sauce for dogs!
My dog ate Worcestershire sauce. What should I do?
Remain calm and determine 1) if the Worcestershire sauce contains xylitol and 2) how much Worcestershire sauce your dog ate.
Read the ingredients list. If the sauce contains xylitol, seek veterinary aid immediately, as even a small amount can seriously hurt your dog. Rush your pet to the animal clinic or hospital so that they can receive emergency care. If you’re quick, there’s an excellent chance your dog will survive.
If your dog swallowed a small amount of Worcestershire sauce, they’ll likely be fine. Nevertheless, monitor them for problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, panting, and drooling. Also, make sure they have some water to drink to prevent dehydration.
The more sauce your dog ate, the more likely they’ll be in trouble. Contact a vet for advice and inform them of any symptoms that have already emerged; if they instruct you to bring your pet to their clinic or hospital, do so as soon as you can.
If you can’t reach a veterinarian, those in North America can call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
Can a dog gain any nutritional benefits from eating Worcestershire sauce?
Worcestershire sauce contains calcium, iron, and potassium—nutrients dogs need to stay healthy. Calcium, for instance, keeps their teeth and bones strong. Iron is involved in the creation of hemoglobin, a protein that red blood cells use to transport oxygen from the lungs to every other part of the body. Potassium helps make heart and muscle contractions possible.
Nevertheless, Worcestershire sauce is far more dangerous than helpful to dogs. If you’d like your pooch to enjoy a nutritious snack, feed them something else—such as carrots, cucumbers, and Brussels sprouts.
Final Thoughts
Dogs can’t eat Worcestershire sauce. This condiment is high in salt, sugar, and other ingredients that can bother your dog or make them extremely unwell. Worse, some varieties contain xylitol, a lethal dog killer.
Do your dog a favor; don’t give them any Worcestershire sauce!