TailVilleWhy
Ketchup is tomato with sugar, vinegar, salt and spices, and many brands include onion and garlic powder. The amount of onion is small, so a lick is unlikely to cause poisoning, but eating a whole bottle, or a cat or small dog eating a lot, can be risky. Sugar-free ketchup contains sweeteners, so check the label. Fries and hot dogs with ketchup are also salty and greasy.
How to give it / if eaten
Don't give it. A small lick can be watched at home. If your pet ate more than a few spoonfuls or got into the bottle, check the label (onion, garlic, sweeteners) and call your vet.
Watch for these signs
Vomiting, diarrhea or thirst may occur. After a large amount, also watch over the next days for onion/garlic poisoning signs like weakness, pale gums and red urine.
FAQ
My dog ate fries with ketchup.
A few usually cause no more than greasy, salty stomach upset. Offer water and watch, and call your vet if a lot was eaten.
Tomatoes are okay, so why not ketchup?
Ripe tomato flesh is fine in small amounts, but ketchup adds sugar, salt and onion and garlic powder. See our tomato page too.
General information only. Weight, age and health conditions change how a pet reacts, so ask your vet if you are worried.