One thing I absolutely love is cooking. Sometimes I throw together quick meals, and to give it that extra flavor, I add some store-bought sauce or a bouillon cube — and voilà, dinner is ready!
But one day, while making spaghetti, a little bit of sauce spilled on the floor and Max (my ever-curious Labrador who follows me around the kitchen) licked it up in a split second.
I didn’t think much of it at the time. It was just a little sauce, right?
But by late afternoon, Max wasn’t feeling well. He was quiet, bloated, and nauseous. I got so worried that I rushed him to the vet.
And that’s when I learned the hard way that ready-made sauces and broths are extremely dangerous for dogs — even in tiny amounts.
Why are sauces and broths harmful?
The answer is both simple and scary: they’re full of ingredients that are toxic or hard for pets to digest.
Most of these products contain:
- Excess salt: way beyond what a dog’s system can handle
- Onion and garlic (in powder or extract form): highly toxic, can cause anemia and red blood cell damage
- Artificial seasonings: can irritate the digestive system
- Preservatives and flavor enhancers (like MSG): overload the liver and kidneys
- Saturated fat: may lead to pancreatitis, obesity, and digestive issues
And all of that is packed into just one tablespoon of sauce or one bouillon cube.
What happened with Max
After that spaghetti incident, I was filled with regret. Max spent two days on a bland diet and meds, recovering from a sensitive stomach.
The vet explained that dogs’ digestive systems aren’t built to handle those kinds of seasonings.
What adds flavor to our meals can be a silent poison for them.
Since then, Max doesn’t go near the pots anymore — and I’m way more careful with anything that hits the floor, or any thought of sharing “just a little.”
“But it’s just a little bit from my plate…”
Yeah, I used to think the same. But now I know that the gesture might come from love, but the risk is real.
Even a tiny scrap of food with sauce can cause nausea, toxicity, or allergic reactions.
In severe cases, it can affect vital organs like the liver and kidneys.
What to offer instead?
If you want to “flavor” your dog’s food or just give them something special, here are safe alternatives:
- Homemade broth with no salt or seasoning: made from boiled veggies
- Shredded chicken cooked in plain water
- Natural purees (unsalted): pumpkin, sweet potato, or carrot
- Healthy snacks or approved fruits
These are much easier on your dog’s system and help diversify their meals safely.
After that scare with Max, I’ve never looked at ready-made sauces the same way again.
They’re still on my plate — but they never go near my best friend’s bowl.
Feeding your dog well is part of loving and protecting them.
And like I always say: true love is the kind that looks after them — even when they give you those irresistible begging eyes. 🐶💛