Can My Dog Eat Tomato Ketchup?

We all love to add tomato ketchup to enhance the taste of the food we consume daily, thanks to its tanginess that has a different hit on our tongue. A lot of us like to share our food with our dogs as well so that might make you wonder, can dogs eat ketchup? You might ask yourself if it is harmful to your dog, or if it tingles their taste buds as it does to us. We have all your questions covered so just read on to find out more about this condiment and how favorable it is for your furry friend.

What is Tomato Ketchup made of?

Before we proceed to find out whether dogs can eat tomato ketchup or not, it is very important to know what ingredients are used to make it. Even though Tomato is the main ingredient, mass-produced tomato Ketchup might contain other ingredients that might be harmful to your dog. The ingredients which you may find are:

• Tomatoes.
• Vinegar.
• Sugar.
• Onions
• Spices.
• Garlic.
• Salt.
• Xanthan gum. 

Onions may cause Anemia:

The presence of N-propyl Disulfide in Onions causes the breakdown of red blood cells in dogs, this constitutes anemia in dogs. Together with that, the compound oxidizes your dog’s red blood cells and attaches itself to the oxygen molecules in the cells. This reduces the blood cells’ capacity and also tricks your dog’s immune system to think that the blood cells are invaders in the body which results in the blood cells being destroyed. This is the main reason for causing Hemolytic Anemia in dogs. That is why too much Ketchup should be avoided.

Xanthan Gum causes diarrhea:

Xanthan Gum is a food thickener that is used in most food products bought from shelves. It is a chemical that helps keep the product thick and also binds the ingredients together. Even though a little bit of Xanthan gum is considered harmless for dogs, too much of it can cause your dog to have a bad stomach. 

Sugar can be harmful:

Dogs love sugar just like we do. Even though we take in sugar daily through different food forms, giving too much sugar to your dog should be strictly avoided. Sugar can be harmful to your canine as it can cause it to get obese which results in your dog living less. Too much sugar can also result in your dog getting diabetes. 

Garlic and Salt:

Garlic just like Onion can cause Hemolytic Anemia as well as other gastrointestinal problems for your dog. Garlic may also cause your dog to lose weight and can make it lethargic as well. Salt on the other hand is harmful if taken in large quantities. It can cause your dog to get high blood pressure which can be harmful to your dog’s arteries as well as its heart. It is wise to avoid giving your dog a large amount of Tomato Ketchup which will constitute giving a high dose of onions, garlic, and salt as well. 

How harmful is tomato Ketchup then?

Tomato Ketchup is not necessarily harmful. Your dog can consume tomato ketchup just like humans, but some ingredients in the Ketchup can cause harm to your dog so it is best to regulate how much ketchup you give to your dog. Just like humans too much of anything can be harmful to your furry friend. Ketchup should be avoided as much as possible but it is also good to know that it isn’t entirely harmful to your dog unless given in large amounts. 

What would happen if your dog eats too much Ketchup?

Now you already know that Tomato ketchup would not harm your dog unless you serve too much of it to your pooch. In case of too much consumption, there are a lot of risks that come with it. Firsthand risks are vomiting and diarrhea. If your dog is facing these then it is primarily due to the Tomato Ketchup they had. Some dog owners however choose to serve their dogs’ sugar-free Ketchup, such condiments are not sugar-free but they’ve replacement chemicals to sweeten up the Ketchup called Xylitol. 

Xylitol is said to be extremely toxic for dogs. Xylitol causes a rapid release of insulin from the pancreas that results in your dog having very low blood sugar. This phenomenon is called hypoglycemia and can come into action within 10 – 60 minutes of intaking the sugar-free Ketchup. Xylitol can cause severe kidney damage, liver damage, or even take your dog’s life. 

Symptoms your dog might have if the Ketchup has affected them:  

Here are some of the symptoms listed below for you to know whether your dog had a bad reaction to the ketchup you served to them.

• Bad stomach.
• Pale gums.
• Lethargic dog.
• Red urine.
• Losing interest in food.

If you see your dog exhibiting any of these symptoms after the Tomato Ketchup you served them the best thing to do would be to get an appointment with your pet’s doctor. 

Your dog may swallow the Ketchup Packet:

Ketchup Packets that come from Fast Food joints or restaurants should not be served to your dog, mainly due to the high presence of different chemicals and preservatives in them. They are more harmful than store-bought tomato ketchup. Moreover, you should keep away ketchup packets from your dog as they may swallow them in the process of trying to squeeze out the ketchup from inside. Such cases are really common and are reported every other day, that is why you shouldn’t keep ketchup packets lying around in the house. If you suspect your dog to have swallowed a plastic packet then the first thing you should do is take your dog to the vet immediately. Swallowing plastic can have symptoms like vomiting and the inability to defecate properly. If the plastic is smaller it should come out with the dog’s excretion but if it doesn’t then you could say that the plastic is stuck inside the dog’s throat or even its intestinal tract. 

Can your dog eat other condiments?

Just like Tomato Ketchup, other condiments like Mustard sauce and mayonnaise can harm your dog too if given in excessive amounts. These condiments wouldn’t harm your dog if you serve in very little quantity. It is okay to add them a bit to your dog’s food once in a month or so in very little amounts. But you should note that these condiments add no nutritional value to their food. The same applies to Tomato Ketchup as well. Store-bought condiments come with different chemicals added to them which do worse than doing good for your furry friend. It is best practice to avoid any of these.

Can mustard be served to a dog? 

Mustard should be strictly avoided for dogs. Mustard has many toxic chemicals in it that can cause gastronomical issues together with an inflamed stomach and also an inflamed Intestinal tract. A lick of mustard might not have any symptoms but if your pooch had a good amount of it then you might need to rush them to the doctor. Symptoms of mustard after-effects might include, diarrhea, vomiting, and pain in the abdomen area.

Can my dog eat homemade condiments though?

Yes, just like humans it is safe to feed your dog homemade condiments. Organic and homemade food is great for the body as it doesn’t have any added preservatives or other additives that may be harmful to your dog. You can make tomato sauce and serve it to your dog as a treat, it is a good replacement for ketchup. Homemade mayonnaise is good to eat as well, plus the eggs in the mayo are good for your dog. Eggs are a good source of protein for your furry friend and should be included in their diet once in a while. 

Perks of feeding your dog homemade Tomato Sauce:

Tomatoes are really good for your dog and have a lot of nutritional value. Tomatoes when they’re used to make ketchup lose all of this nutrition due to the added chemicals that in turn make the whole condiment harmful. In general, tomatoes have very low calories and also are rich in fiber which will help in the digestion of your dog’s food. Tomatoes also contain Vitamin A and E which promotes good vision and helps your dog in having healthier skin. 

Serving the condiments with bread:

You can choose to serve the condiments to your dog together with bread. Bread can be eaten by dogs and they are safe to eat. The only thing you might need to do is give your dog small amounts of it because just like humans too much of it can cause issues to your dog’s health. But before serving it to your dog, it is always wise to make sure that your dog is not allergic to any of the ingredients that you serve to them. 

Photo by Pixzolo Photography on Unsplash

Can dogs eat chips with ketchup?

Chips or French Fries made with potatoes are harmful to humans, so they should be avoided for dogs as well. Chips or Fries tend to be oily and can cause a load of health-related problems for your dog. But if you want to serve fries or chips to your dog, you can choose to make them more healthily with minimum oil and no seasoning. You can serve the snacks to your dog together with homemade tomato sauce to help tingle their tongues. 

Final Thoughts 

Can dogs eat ketchup? We believe you already have the answer to this. But, to summarise, tomato ketchup and other condiments available in the market are not harmful if given in very less amount. But don’t make it a habit for your dog else it can have adverse effects on their health mainly due to the presence of many chemicals and additives that are used to enhance the taste of store-bought ketchup. Make your condiments at home, fresh and fully organic, and serve them to yourself and your little best friend without any worries. 

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