Can dogs eat mayonnaise?

Mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil, egg yolk, vinegar or lemon juice, and salt. Regular mayonnaise is around 75 to 80 percent fat. A dog that licks out a jar or eats a mayonnaise-heavy salad can take in a lot of fat quickly, which is a common trigger for vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis.

Light mayonnaise has less fat but often more sugar and thickeners.

Garlic mayo, aioli, and sriracha mayo are popular dipping sauces that contain garlic or chili. Homemade mayonnaise is made with raw egg yolk, which can carry Salmonella. Egg-free and vegan mayonnaises are oil-based and still very fatty.

Tartar sauce includes pickles and capers, which add salt.

Coleslaw, potato salad, egg mayonnaise sandwiches, and tuna mayo are common sources. Some coleslaw and potato salad recipes include onion or chives. A dog that gets into a picnic bowl of potato salad may eat a large amount of fat along with onion.

Always check what else was in the dish.

Some owners use a tiny dab of plain mayonnaise to help a tablet go down. A small smear is unlikely to cause problems in a healthy dog. Dogs on low-fat diets should use a lower-fat option recommended by your vet. Keep the smear to about the size of a pea, and follow it with a plain treat so the tablet is swallowed quickly. Skip this trick for dogs that have had pancreatitis, and ask your vet about pill pockets or other options.