Can I give my dog ketchup?





Can I Give My Dog Ketchup?Ketchup is a condiment in many foods. Lots of owners question its suitability for pets and rightly so. It’s likely your dog sees this tomatoey sauce being consumed quite often. Let’s address it!

What’s odd about ketchup is that we don’t question what’s actually in it. This popular food component is a recipe in itself. That’s why, for your dog, you should know more about it.

Obviously ketchup is mostly made up of tomatoes. That’s not the top concern here. There are usually other ingredients in this condiment that are inappropriate for dogs.

Can I Give My Dog Ketchup? Answer: It’s best avoided but unlikely dangerous

It isn’t likely to do harm, but avoid making a habit out of it.

For your dog’s sake, take the time to find out exactly what’s in your ketchup. These supermarket products often contain a surprising amount of unexpected chemicals. Many of these ingredients are questionable for dogs. Check the label and you make up your own mind regarding ketchup for your precious pet dog.

The Ingredients in Ketchup

Besides tomatoes, commercial ketchup typically has cinnamon, onions, garlic as well as extra sugar and salt. Some of these ingredients are potentially harmful for dogs to consume.

It gets worse since most ketchups have other chemicals. Among them is xanthan gum which acts as a stabilizer and thickens the paste.You don’t want your dog eating that!

Weighing the Risks

In truth, it’s unlikely that a bit of ketchup will harm a dog. Too much however, carries some risk. Certain ingredients may cause allergic reactions or even a condition known as hemolytic anemia.

You can’t know until your dog actually consumes some ketchup. So avoid sharing it, also known as catsup, with pets. At the very least, it’s a bad feeding habit.

Tomato Sauce Instead

We’ve covered tomatoes and consider pure tomato sauce a better choice for dogs. The reasons are obvious. It’s best to consume foods which are as natural as possible.

People view ketchup, Heinz for example, as just tomato sauce. This isn’t so. It may not matter much to a human stomach, but there are ingredients in ketchup that dogs shouldn’t eat.

Ketchup Packets Danger

Fast food ketchup packets have artificial ingredients and preservatives, not to mention unknown spices. What’s even more dangerous for dogs is the temptation to eat an entire packet, plastic and all!

Some people leave these ketchup packs laying around. When the family dog gets hungry, it shouldn’t be surprising when they try to wolf down a packet.

If that happens, get a vet’s help as soon as possible. In the meantime, watch over your dog for vomiting and/or signs of straining during defecation.

Video: Ketchup Cake Part II

Mineral oil mixed into food may help to lubricate the bowels. If you don’t see the ketchup packet(s) pass, after several days, that’s concerning.

Other Popular Condiments

Most condiments aren’t great for dogs, not only ketchup. The popular ones are mustard, mayonnaise, relish and salsa. These aren’t necessarily dangerous for dogs, but they aren’t healthy either.

Video: HEINZ Ketchup Game Day 2016 Hot Dog Commercial | "Wiener Stampede"

Just like with ketchup, they are loaded with spices. They’re also high in calories, very fatty and generally have no place in a dog’s diet.

Conclusion on Ketchup

Avoid feeding your dog commercial ketchup or foods containing it such as french fries, hot dogs or hamburgers. Be selective when sharing human foods with your dog. Avoid chemicals and additives. Many ketchups contain bad ingredients. This condiment tends to go hand-in-hand with unhealthy foods. We don’t recommend this type of tomato sauce for dogs, especially on a regular basis.

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