Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Do you love to eat salads and other foods covered in ranch dressing? You’re not alone! Many pet parents love this stuff! And why not? Ranch dressing is a versatile ingredient that makes almost anything taste better! But what happens if your cat comes along and eats ranch dressing?
Has your cat eaten ranch dressing? Are you worried the ranch dressing will make your cat sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your cat eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about ranch dressing and whether it can make a cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Ranch Dressing?
Ranch dressing is an extremely popular salad dressing in the US. It can be used for more than just salads, too. For instance, ranch dressing is sometimes used as a dip, a covering for cooking chicken, and so much more! It’s a very versatile dressing!
Ranch dressing is produced commercially or can be made at home. It can contain the following ingredients (depending on the brand and recipe):
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Parsley
- Sugar
- Dill
- Chives
- Garlic
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Black pepper
While ranch dressing is safe for humans (in moderation), what about cats? Can ranch dressing make a cat sick?
Ranch Dressing & Cats
The good news is that if your cat has licked only a small amount of ranch dressing, she will be OK. Some cats with sensitive stomachs may experience some vomiting and diarrhea; however, these should not last long.
However, if your cat has eaten a more significant amount of dressing or she eats it regularly, ranch dressing could make her sick. The reason is that the dressing contains garlic and chives (or onions), which are toxic to cats. In large amounts, these ingredients can cause a deadly form of anemia in cats.
Another problem is that the dressing contains dairy products. Most cats are lactose intolerant and are not able to eat dairy. The dressing also contains oil, sugar, and other ingredients that are not good for cats.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Ranch Dressing Ingestion in Cats
You may notice these symptoms if your cat has eaten ranch dressing:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Rapid breathing
- Elevated heart rate
- Discolored, pale gums and mucus membranes
If your cat shows any of these or other symptoms, it’s best to call the vet. This could be an emergency.
Treatment of Ranch Dressing Ingestion in Cats
We weren’t able to find any specific treatment information for a cat eating ranch dressing. However, the vet may treat this like a case of poisoning, depending on your cat’s symptoms.
The vet may try to decontaminate your cat’s system by inducing vomiting and using activated charcoal. They may also give your fur baby an IV for fluids and to administer medications. If your cat is showing signs of anemia or severe toxicity, the vet may need to hospitalize your feline friend until she’s in stable condition.
The good news is that most cats will make a full recovery after eating ranch dressing! And in the future, it’s best to keep all ranch dressing out of your cat’s reach. You’ll both be happier for it!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now
