Can cats eat mayonnaise? You might have had this thought while your cat hungrily watched you add some mayonnaise to your favorite sandwich or serve it up as a dip to compliment a snack. If humans can eat mayonnaise, can cats safely eat it too?
There is no short yes or no answer as to whether cats can eat mayonnaise. On the one hand, the ingredients in mayonnaise mean that a cat who scarfs down a little mayo probably won’t experience an immediate adverse reaction. Likewise, mayonnaise is not explicitly considered to be toxic or poisonous to cats.
But there’s almost no nutritional value in feeding mayonnaise to your cat, and it could even push your kitty on a path to feline obesity.
As always, you must ask your regular vet before going ahead and sharing any human food with your beloved feline, including mayonnaise. Here’s what you need to know about mayonnaise and cats.
When Is Mayonnaise Okay For Cats To Eat?
If a cat licks some mayonnaise, they’re not likely to become poisoned. In fact, as an optimistic take, mayonnaise could add some welcome probiotic cultures to your feline’s diet, which in turn can help with digestion issues.
In some cases, cats suffering from constipation have been given a small amount of mayonnaise to help with the digestion process. If your veterinarian suggests adding a tiny amount of mayonnaise to your cat’s regular food to deal with a constipation issue, make sure to always follow the specific dosage advice you’re given.
When Is Mayonnaise Bad For Cats?
Mayonnaise isn’t really good for humans, so it follows that there isn’t really much reason to add it to your feline’s diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, so the majority of any kitty’s diet should consist of meat.
Worse still, mayonnaise is highly caloric and contains a lot of fat. If your cat develops a taste for mayonnaise, they might develop a case of feline obesity — a condition that can lead to more serious health issues.
So while you don’t need to worry too much if your cat sneaks in a lick of mayonnaise now and again, it’s definitely not a food that should be used as a regular snack or part of your kitty’s daily diet.
Has your cat ever tried to sneak some mayonnaise from your food? What healthier snacks do you share with your kitty? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
