Can Dogs Eat Vegemite?
Fact Checked By Our Vet

This savoury spread is an Australian classic, but should your pup partake in the fun. If you’re wondering whether your dog can eat Vegemite, here’s what experts have to say about it

What Is Vegemite?

This is a dark, brown paste used as a spread. Invented in Melbourne in 1923 [1], Vegemite was manufactured to imitate traditional British marmite.

Salty, malty and thick, this spread became since its inception Australia’s favourite paste. Although they are similar, marmite is slightly saltier and bitter, with Vegemite having a slightly subtle flavour.

Vegemite is made out of leftover yeast from beer production. Because of this, Vegemite is very rich in vitamin B12. Just 5 grams of Vegemite on toast (a very light layer), covers about 80% of a human’s daily needs [2].

For humans, Vegemite can be a great addition to your daily intake thanks to the vitamin B6, B12, thiamine, riboflavin and folates. But should your dog also get a taste?

Can Dogs Eat Vegemite?

Technically speaking, Vegemite doesn’t have specific ingredients that are poisonous for dogs. Nevertheless, the high sodium percentage can be a risk.

Most vets will agree that dogs shouldn’t eat Vegemite regularly or in large quantities because of the large sodium quantity. This means that if your dog snuck a little bit of Vegemite toast, it’s probably not an issue. But if they got into the whole Vegemite jar, you need to take them to the vet ASAP.

Is Sodium in Vegemite Dangerous for Dogs? The Risks

The main risk of dogs eating Vegemite is sodium poisoning.

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a balanced dog food needs to have at least 0.3% sodium to support normal physiological functions. Nevertheless, anything more than about 1% can be considered excess sodium intake.

Excessive sodium consumption can lead to salt toxicosis, also known as sodium poisoning. Unfortunately, most pets are relatively sensitive to sodium overconsumption. Even swimming in seawater (that has 3.5% sodium) can cause sodium poisoning [3].

If your dog has eaten too much sodium, most pets will self-regulate by drinking water. You might notice they go to their bowl more often, or they finish it faster than usual.

However, if your dog eats a large amount of salt and doesn’t have access to enough water, they can quickly become dehydrated. Signs of excessive salt intake in dogs are:

What To Do If My Dog Ate Vegemite?

So, you were enjoying your crackers and realised your pup got into the Vegemite. What to do now?

The first step is trying to figure out how much they ate. If they only managed to snack on a few crackers or a piece of toast, you don’t need to worry. Your dog will be fine and other than keeping an eye out for any gastrointestinal upset, they probably won’t have any symptoms.

On the other hand, if your dog got into a full jar of Vegemite, it’s important to call the vet ASAP. Depending on whether your dog is already showing sodium poisoning symptoms, your vet will recommend at-home treatment or urgent care.

In all cases, it’s important to provide fresh water in small amounts and at frequent intervals. If your dog only managed to eat a few licks of Vegemite, having plenty of fresh water will usually be enough to counter any side effects.

Is It Ever Ok To Give Vegemite To Dogs?

If you’re wondering whether Vegemite is healthy for dogs, you’ve likely heard about some people feeding it to their pups.

In Australia, using Vegemite to give medicine is more or less common. But is this a safe practice?

According to doctor Tessa Jongejans from Greencross Vets [4], the strong flavour of Vegemite can help your dog swallow their medicine easier. As long as this is done on very specific occasions and doesn’t become a habit, a small amount of Vegemite can help you get your dog to eat their medicine.

Final Thoughts

Has your dog ever eaten Vegemite? Do they like it? If you have any experience with it, let us know in the comments below!

Are you wondering if your dog can eat other common foods? Check out our full list below:

• What Food Can't Dogs Eat?
• Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?
• Can Dogs Eat Grapes?
• Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken?
• Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?
• Can Dogs Eat Cheese?
• Can Dogs Eat Avocado?
• Can Dogs Eat Mushroom?
• Can Dogs Eat Cauliflower?
• Can Dogs Eat Eggs?
• Can Dogs Eat Bread?
• Can Dogs Eat Nuts?
• Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?
• Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?
• Can Dogs Eat Orange?
• Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?
• Can Dogs Eat Zucchini?
• Can Dogs Eat Garlic?
• Can Dogs Eat Apple?
• Can Dogs Eat Mandarin?
• Can Dogs Eat Broccoli?
• Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato?
• Can Dogs Eat Capsicum?
• Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?
• Can Dogs Eat Carrot?
• Can Dogs Eat Cucumber?
• Can Dogs Eat Peas?
• Can Dogs Eat Potato?
• Can Dogs Eat Beetroot?

References

1. National Museum Australia. Defining symbols of Australia. https://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/defining-symbols-australia/vegemite
2. The Spruce eats. What is vegemite? https://www.thespruceeats.com/vegemite-an-australian-icon-256166
3. MSD Veterinary Manual. Clinical findings for salt toxicosis in Animals. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/toxicology/salt-toxicosis/salt-toxicosis-in-animals
4. Greencross Vets. How Can I Get My Pet to Swallow Their Tablets? https://www.greencrossvets.com.au/pet-library/articles-of-interest/how-can-i-get-my-pet-to-swallow-their-tablets/