Mayonnaise is a creamy emulsion of oil, egg yolk, and acid such as vinegar or lemon juice. It is used in sandwiches, potato salad, tuna salad, dips, and dressings. Because it is oil-based, it is high in fat and calories.
Store-bought mayo is usually pasteurized and stable when sealed, while homemade versions may use raw egg and spoil more quickly. Flavored mayos can include garlic, onion, chili, mustard, or sweet additions. These ingredients can increase pet risk compared with plain mayo.
Mayo often appears mixed into leftovers, burger sauces, and salad coatings where quantity is hard to judge. Even small spoonfuls can be rich for sensitive pets, especially those with fat intolerance. Repeated tastes can add calories quickly.
For pets, avoid routine mayonnaise feeding and skip flavored versions entirely. If any accidental lick occurs, keep the amount minimal. Refrigerate mayo-based leftovers quickly to reduce spoilage risk and avoid spoon-lick habits.
