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Can Dogs Eat Potato Salad?

Dogs are inquisitive creatures that have a fascination for smelling, licking and eating all kinds of foods, whether it’s safe for them or not.

For the most part, they can’t tell the difference between food that’s good for them and food that’s not.

This is particularly true in regards to the food you cook for your family, but dogs can’t eat potato salad.

Dogs have a natural attraction to people food, but it’s not always good for them.

In fact, many dishes we cook can cause our pets harm.

Potato salad is one of those dishes best kept far from your pup as it contains ingredients that are toxic to dogs.

Is Potato Salad Safe for Dogs?

Potato salad is a popular dish often enjoyed in the summer at BBQs and family picnics.

It’s composed of a combination of ingredients, spices and seasonings that give it a savory taste and texture.

Some of these ingredients are safe for dogs, but others are not.

A traditional recipe may call for cooked potatoes, boiled eggs, chopped onions, bell peppers and celery mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, salt, garlic, pepper and other spices.

Several of these ingredients are toxic to dogs.

As you can’t separate the ingredients once they’ve been mixed together, the entire dish is unsafe for your pup.

Potato salad shouldn’t be given to dogs as it contains too many ingredients that pose a risk to your furry friend’s health.

Herbs like onions, garlic and chives can provoke vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.

Mustard can cause inflammation of the GI tract.

Some potato salad recipes contain dairy products like yogurt or condensed milk that can trigger pet allergies.

Potato salad recipes vary greatly to satisfy different tastes.

Adding ingredients like avocados, raisins or spicy green peppers to this dish can make it more delectable to people but even more dangerous to your pup.   

Potato Salad Ingredients: What’s Safe and What’s Not for Dogs?

The bottom line is that potato salad isn’t safe for dogs and shouldn’t be given to your pet, not even occasionally.

The fact that your dog likes it doesn’t make any difference.

By learning more about foods that are toxic to canines, you can protect your dog from eating substances that could do him harm.

Potato salad is a classic example.

The following is a list of safe and unsafe ingredients in this dish to open your eyes to the dangers of feeding potato salad to your pup.

Safe Ingredients:

Potato – The main ingredient in potato salad is obviously the potato. In moderation, cooked potatoes are okay for your pet to eat as they contain vitamins and minerals that can boost its health. Just don’t overdo, as potatoes are high in carbohydrates and can make your pup fat. Raw potatoes should be avoided at all costs as they contain the compound solanine that’s toxic to dogs.

Eggs – Cooked eggs are safe and nutritious for dogs to eat. They’re a good source of protein, fatty acids and vitamins that support your canine’s health. Eggs from free-range chickens offer the best nutritional value. Some dogs can’t consume eggs due to medical issues, so be sure to check with your vet before putting eggs on your dog’s menu. When feeding eggs to your pup, make sure they’re oil and seasoning free to avoid digestive issues. Never feed your pup raw eggs as it could lead to salmonella poisoning.

Celery – Celery is not only a safe veggie, it makes a nutritious snack for your pup, full of nutrients and dietary fibers. Celery’s also good for getting rid of doggie breath.

Mayonnaise – Mayo is made from oil, egg yolks and vinegar – all safe ingredients for dogs. In small quantities, mayo is okay for your pup. Moderation is key to healthy consumption of mayo due to its high-fat content.

Olives – Some potato salad recipes call for olives which are safe for dogs to eat. Plain, unsalted olives without pits make a healthy and delicious dog treat.

Sweet Bell Peppers – Bell peppers are chockablock full of Vitamins A and C and antioxidants that can boost your pup’s immune health. Spicy peppers, on the other hand, are NOT good for your pup. Spicy peppers contain capsaicin – an ingredient that can irritate your pup’s mouth and throat and cause gas and stomach pain.   

Unsafe Ingredients:

Onions – Many people like raw onions in their potato salad as they add texture and flavor. Onions, however, are dangerous for dogs – cooked or raw. Onions contain the toxic substance thiosulphate. When ingested, this substance breaks down a dog’s red blood cells to cause anemia. Unusual lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and rapid heartbeat are telltale signs of onion poisoning in a dog. Be aware that these symptoms may not show up until days later, after your pup has consumed onions. At the first sign of onion poisoning, contact your vet.

Mustard – Mustard is what gives a potato salad a pungent taste that people love. Mustard is also extremely toxic to dogs. Mustard consumption can cause inflammation of your pup’s GI tract.

Garlic – Garlic, like onions, leeks and chives, which all come from the same family, contain toxic properties that can cause anemia, respiratory problems, digestive problems and organ damage in dogs.

What to Do If Your Pup Eats Potato Salad

If you’re going to be serving potato salad at a BBQ or picnic where your pup will be present, make sure it’s well out of your canine’s reach.

Out of sight is out of mind. If your pup can’t see it, he won’t be tempted to eat it.

If he manages to snatch a few bites off your plate, don’t panic.

A bite or two shouldn’t make him deathly sick.

A plateful of potato salad is a cause for concern, especially if you own a small dog.  

If your pup eats a lot of potato salad, keep a sharp eye on him to see if he shows signs of toxic ingestion.

The most obvious signs will be lethargy, weakness, excessive drooling, difficulty breathing, vomiting and diarrhea.

At the first signs of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately and take measures to get urgent vet care.

Your prompt action can help save your pet’s life.

In Summary

Some people food can be shared safely with your pup, but not all.

Potato salad is one of those dishes that should not be shared with dogs.

Potato salad simply contains too many ingredients that are harmful to dogs and not worth the risk to their health.

You could make a special doggy potato salad sans toxic ingredients, but why go through all the trouble?

People food is designed for people, not dogs.

For the sake of your pup’s health and safety, you’re better off feeding your pet nutritious dog food and tasty treats that you know are safe and good for him.

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National Canine Research Association of America