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How should I monitor my 5 kg dog for 24 hours after he ate a spoonful of mayonnaise and is now vomiting?

Dogs · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

After a small amount of mayonnaise, most dogs show no problems, but a 5 kg dog is small enough that the high fat can irritate the stomach and trigger vomiting within a few hours. Watch for repeated vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or a hunched posture — these suggest the fat load is bothering him. If he vomits more than twice, stops eating, or seems unusually tired over the next 24 hours, call your regular vet for guidance. Offer small amounts of water and a bland diet once vomiting stops, and resume normal feeding gradually over the following day.

Mayonnaise — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Mostly fat, and some recipes include garlic or lemon juice. Avoid.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Mayonnaise is not poisonous to dogs, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

Why these cautions matter

Garlic and onion damage a pet's red blood cells and can bring on anaemia. Signs are often delayed for several days, so looking fine straight afterwards does not rule it out.

Rich, fatty food is the classic trigger for pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas that usually needs veterinary treatment rather than rest alone.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Mayonnaise food facts page.

Open the full food page: Mayonnaise food facts →