Can My Dog Eat Some Coleslaw?
Coleslaw generally isn’t a healthy choice for dogs. While carrots and cabbage can be safe in moderation, onions, garlic, salt, and mayonnaise can harm dogs. Let’s break down the typical ingredients in coleslaw, investigate the potential risks of feeding it to your dog, and explore a healthier homemade version to feed them as an occasional treat.
In This Article:
- What Is Coleslaw?
- Coleslaw Ingredients and Your Dog’s Health
- The Problem With Coleslaw Dressing
- Can I Give Homemade Coleslaw to My Dog?
- Introducing New Foods to Your Pet’s Diet
- The Bottom Line: Can Dogs Eat Coleslaw?
What Is Coleslaw?
Coleslaw is a salad made primarily of finely shredded raw cabbage and often includes other shredded vegetables like carrots or onions. The dressing is typically a mix of mayonnaise, vinegar, seasonings, and sugar. Sometimes, it might also contain other components like mustard or sour cream.
Coleslaw Ingredients and Your Dog’s Health
Unfortunately, food manufacturers don’t make coleslaw with our pets’ well-being in mind (because we are not supposed to share it with them). Dressed salads are for human consumption, and contain components intended for people to eat.
To fully understand whether your dog can eat your coleslaw safely, we need to examine the elements of the individual recipe and scrutinize the ingredients list on the product’s packaging. Or, if the salad is homemade, you’ll need to ask yourself what went into it first.
Here’s a typical breakdown of coleslaw ingredients and the possible risks or benefits they present to dogs:
Finely Shredded Raw Cabbage
The main ingredient in most coleslaw products is cabbage, a vegetable that doesn’t pose too much trouble in small amounts. As veterinarian Dr. Debra M. Eldredge explains, this leafy vegetable alone can be fed to dogs as a special treat sometimes. They can enjoy some either raw or cooked.
Besides all types of cabbage being tasty and safe, they are also highly nutritious. The high fiber content is great for the digestive system, and it provides essential vitamins like C and K. Nonetheless, some dogs experience flatulence (gas), an excellent reason to offer them this vegetable sparingly and gradually incorporate it into their diet.
Shredded Raw Carrots
Carrots are a wonderfully safe and healthy snack for dogs; they are low in calories and high in vitamins. You might think of a raw carrot as nature’s toothbrush! Dogs have 42 permanent teeth to keep clean and a carrot’s crunchy texture helps remove debris and plaque from those teeth and gums. Offering your pup some washed and uncooked carrot pieces can be a delightful, nutrient-packed treat.
The safety of coleslaw for dogs isn’t just about the cabbage and carrot content. It’s also about the dressing and any additional ingredients.
Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic are sometimes present in store-bought and homemade varieties of coleslaw, and dogs cannot safely eat them because they are toxic. They can cause anemia, a condition that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly (which is often indicated by dogs’ gums turning pale). Even small amounts can pose extreme health risks.
In the video below, Dr. Violet Nix discusses the dangers of onion and garlic toxicity in pets, sharing a case of a dog named Little Bit who suffered severe anemia due to exposure.
The Problem With Coleslaw Dressing
Coleslaw dressing is a huge concern for dogs because it may contain additional harmful or unhealthy ingredients. Let’s address some common components and why they might be risky.
Can Dogs Have Mayonnaise?
As veterinarian technician Jenna Stregowski explains, there are no components in mayonnaise that are poisonous to dogs. It’s an oil and egg yolk emulsion flavored with vinegar or lemon juice for extra acidity. Mustard may also be present in some recipes. Dogs cannot experience poisoning by any of these.
But although mayo isn’t poisonous, feeding it to your dog isn’t wise due to its high-fat content. Regular consumption of mayo or other fatty foods can make canines gain weight, putting undue strain on their heart and joints.
Can Dogs Eat Coleslaw Without Mayo?
While coleslaw without mayo might seem safer, you still want to avoid ingredients that may pose harm. Unless you’re certain all the ingredients are safe for your dog, it may be best to avoid giving them coleslaw altogether.
Other Important Considerations
- Xylitol: Some coleslaw dressings may contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which are hazardous to dogs (1). This substance is more commonly found in sugar-free products like gum and certain peanut butter. But, as people increasingly look to reduce sugar in their diets, it may pop up in more products, including salad dressings. The effects of even a tiny amount can be severe.
- High sugar and fat content: Too much sugar and fat can lead to weight gain and other wellness concerns. We want to avoid obesity and other health issues in our pets.
- High sodium content: Salt, often found in salad dressings, can trigger sodium ion poisoning in dogs, especially if they eat a lot.
- Possible dairy products: If sour cream or other dairy products are present in the coleslaw, they can cause digestive problems, especially for lactose-intolerant dogs.
Caution:
Dogs cannot eat coleslaw containing onions, garlic, xylitol, or excessive salt. Mayonnaise, while non-toxic, is high in fat. Please don’t risk your dog’s health! Always check the ingredients before giving your dog any human food.
Can I Give Homemade Coleslaw to My Dog?
Creating a dog-friendly coleslaw could be a healthy snack for your pup once in a while. You can make it out of raw cabbage and carrots, plus a small amount of diluted apple cider vinegar (ACV). ACV is a friendly ingredient for dogs as it can help balance their pH levels, support digestion, and improve the quality of their coat. However, to ensure it’s safe for their stomachs, please dilute it first.
Here’s a recipe suggestion:
- 1 tablespoon finely shredded cabbage
- 1 tablespoon grated carrots
- 1 teaspoon raw, organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (diluted in 2 tablespoons of water)
Mix the ingredients in a bowl.
The average-sized dog (20-50 lbs) can enjoy this serving size as an occasional treat. If you need clarification on the feeding frequency or the suitability of these ingredients for your pet, please ask a vet first.
Introducing New Foods to Your Pet’s Diet
When presenting new foods for your dog to try, please do so slowly and steadily. You want to start by offering a tiny amount because you can monitor them for any allergic reaction or sensitivity. Watch out for vomiting, diarrhea, inactivity, and going off their food.
If your dog tolerates the new food nicely, you can gradually increase how much you give them. But still, we should always feed tidbits in moderation (even safe ones). As with people, we want a nice variety of delicious, nutritious foods, but portion control is the key regarding treats.
Important!
Please consult with a vet if you’re unsure about a specific ingredient. They can offer their expertise based on what your dog needs to support its health.
The Bottom Line: Can Dogs Eat Coleslaw?
While some components in coleslaw are safe for dogs in moderation, others can be problematic and harmful. Cabbage and carrots do not pose much of a threat to dogs as a periodic treat. But added ingredients like onions, garlic, salt, and fatty, sweetened dressings can be harmful. We should always know what’s in a food before sharing it with our pets. Remember, when in doubt, your vet is the best resource for your pet’s dietary needs.
Sources and Further Reading
- (1) Piscitelli, C. M., Dunayer, E. K., & Aumann, M. (2010). Xylitol toxicity in dogs. Compendium (Yardley, PA), 32(2), E1–E4.
- Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can or Can’t Eat | American Kennel Club
Do you know which fruits and vegetables dogs are safe for dogs to eat? Fresh, frozen, or canned, learn which fruits and veggies to feed and which to avoid. - Food Intolerance in Dogs | VCA Canada Animal Hospitals
Veterinarians at VCA Animal Hospitals discuss the different kinds of adverse food reactions that can happen to dogs. - Merck Veterinary Manual
Learn about the veterinary topic of Allium spp Toxicosis in Animals. Dogs and cats have been affected after ingesting cooked, dehydrated, or granulated forms of onions or garlic. - Top Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs | Dogs Naturally
Apple cider vinegar is a product you may already have in your kitchen cabinet. Here are some simple benefits of apple cider vinegar for dogs.
