Can cats eat ketchup?
Quick verdict
Unsafe
Key risk
Onion and garlic toxicity plus salt and sugar make it dangerous.
Why
Ketchup contains toxic onion and garlic and is salty and sugary, so avoid it for cats.
Can cats eat ketchup, and why?
Ketchup contains toxic onion and garlic and is salty and sugary, so avoid it for cats. Onion and garlic toxicity plus salt and sugar make it dangerous.
Cats are obligate carnivores: they must get most of their nutrition from meat and need nutrients such as taurine that only animal products provide. They lack some enzymes for processing plants and carbohydrates, so fruit and veg offer little benefit and can upset their stomach; many cats are also lactose intolerant.
Warning — what to watch for
Onion and garlic toxicity plus salt and sugar make it dangerous.
If your cat has eaten ketchup, don’t wait for symptoms — contact your vet immediately, or call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24/7, UK). Signs of a problem can include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy, tremors or loss of appetite.
🚨 Find an emergency vet near youMore foods cats might eat
Make treat time better
Handy kit for feeding cats well:
Frequently asked questions
Can cats eat ketchup?
Unsafe. Ketchup contains toxic onion and garlic and is salty and sugary, so avoid it for cats.
What happens if my cat eats ketchup?
Onion and garlic toxicity plus salt and sugar make it dangerous. If your cat has eaten ketchup, contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) straight away — don’t wait for symptoms.
Is ketchup poisonous to cats?
Unsafe. Ketchup contains toxic onion and garlic and is salty and sugary, so avoid it for cats.
Check ketchup for another pet