Can dogs eat……?

If you are a dog owner, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can dogs eat this?” It’s a common question, and extremely important when it comes to preventing any toxicities or gastrointestinal upset in our canine friends. 

In this article we’ll dive into some common food items that dog owners wonder about, and the guidelines you should follow regarding these food items. 

Can dogs eat pork?

When it comes to eating pork, the answer to this question involves many factors. Since many pork recipes call for additional spices to help season the meal, it’s important to be aware of possible toxicities when feeding your dog this tasty treat. 

Is pork safe for dogs to eat?

Pork itself is generally safe for dogs to consume as long as you follow some guidelines as to how you should prepare and serve it to your canine friend. Often times when dogs become ill from pork consumption it’s due to the spices it was seasoned with, whether the pork was cooked or not, the amount of pork offered, or the sauce that the meat was served in. So what are some factors that result in a dangerous piece of pork for your dog?

Dangerous Seasonings & Sauce Used In Pork Recipes

Pork itself can be a bit bland when not seasoned or properly marinated, so it’s not often that a dog has access to an unseasoned piece of pork due to this factor. If you are wanting to offer your pup a small bite of your pork dinner, make sure it’s not seasoned with any of the following:

• Onion 
• Garlic
• BBQ Sauce
• Nutmeg
• Chives
• Salt

How much pork can a dog eat?

Since pork is higher in fat than other meats, it’s important to only offer your pup small amounts of this meat. A large amount of pork can be difficult for your dog to digest, and can result in severe gastrointestinal upset. If you must offer them a bite of your meal, make sure it is truly just a bite. 

Getting hold of a large amount of pork can result in vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, lethargy, pancreatitis, dehydration, and other gastrointestinal conditions in dogs. 

Can a dog eat raw pork?

The answer to this question is always no. Raw pork can put your dog at risk to dangerous bacteria and the possibility of trichinosis. Trichinella Spiralis larvae can be present in uncooked pork and can result in severe gastrointestinal symptoms in your dog. Dogs with this condition can experience vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, fever, muscle aches, stiffness, and dehydration as a result. No matter the meal you are preparing, always refrain from offering raw meat of any kind. 

Pork Summary

Overall, pork is not the meat of choice when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet for your pup. While it’s generally safe to offer a bite of plain pork, it’s not recommended to make this a staple in your dog’s dinner routine due to its high fat content. 

Can dogs eat blueberries?

Blueberries are an incredible source of vitamins and minerals for humans, and have the added bonus of their naturally sweet flavor to go along with their benefits. Though blueberries are a healthy snack for us, do they provide the same value for our dogs?

We’ll dive into the benefits of adding blueberries into your canine’s diet, and the guidelines you should follow when offering this nutritious snack. 

Are blueberries safe for dogs to eat?

Not only are blueberries perfectly safe for dogs to eat, but they are also extremely beneficial for our canine friends. Blueberries are a low calorie treat that can be used in place of their regular dog treats throughout the day, and have several added nutrients that help to keep your dogs healthy. 

What are the benefits of giving a dog blueberries?

Not only will our canine friends be excited for a sweet treat like the blueberry, they will also experience a number of health benefits that come with the consumption of this fruit. Some perks that come with the consumption of blueberries include:

• Low in calories for a healthy treat
• High in fiber
• High in Vitamin C
• Contain phytochemicals, which have been linked to preventing cancer
• Contains antioxidants that help to prevent cellular and tissue damage

Do blueberries come with any risks?

While the berry itself is entirely safe for a dog to consume, they do come with a few risks you should be aware of. Since dogs tend to consume their treats quickly, the circular shape of the blueberry can be a choking hazard. This risk is also increased for those who offer their dogs frozen berries. 

Just make sure to monitor your dog each time you offer this beneficial berry, and keep a close eye out for any signs of coughing or respiratory distress.

Also, remember that treats should only make up about 10-15% of a dog’s diet, so only offer this berry in moderation. While blueberries offer some incredible health benefits, they should not be the focus of your dog’s diet. 

Summary on Blueberries

Blueberries can be a wonderful addition to any dog’s diet. Just make sure to monitor your dog closely during their snacking, and your pup can soak in the blueberries’ benefit!

Can dogs eat ham?

Ham is a popular meal that is often served around the holidays. When preparing your dinner you may be tempted to offer your pup a small slice of your holiday ham, but is it worth it? When it comes to the meat options that can be safely added into a dog’s diet, you won’t find ham on this list. 

Is ham safe for dogs to eat?

Ham is not on the list of approved meats for canines for a number of reasons. Ham isn’t the healthiest meat choice for humans, and this stands true for dogs as well. Ham can be dangerous for dogs due to:

• High fat content
• High sodium content
• Not easily digestible

Even a small bite of ham can result in gastrointestinal upset for your furry friend due to the high fat and sodium content.

What are the risks of eating ham in dogs?

Ham is a common factor in many holiday related emergencies in the animal clinic. Due to high levels of fat and sodium in ham, especially that of store bought ham, dogs can become extremely ill with its consumption. Some common symptoms after ham consumption in dogs includes:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Anorexia
• Abdominal pain
• Dehydration

More severe results of ham consumption due to high sodium levels in dogs include:

• Pancreatitis
• Excessive thirst
• Kidney damage
• Seizures
• Abnormal fluid accumulation

This simple holiday meal can lead to severe illness for your canine companion. 

Summary on Ham

As you can see from the reasons listed above, ham can cause great harm to our furry friends. If ham is on the menu for your holiday feast, try your best to prevent your pup from getting a hold of any table scraps. 

Can dogs eat raw chicken?

We know dogs can safely consume chicken due to its presence in many dog diets, but what about raw chicken? Due to the raw food movement that has made its way into the pet realm, many dog owners are questioning the safety of offering raw meat of any kind to their beloved companions. Raw chicken can pose a great risk to humans, so does it carry the same risks for dogs?

Is it safe for dogs to eat raw chicken?

Will a dog be okay if they consume raw chicken? The answer to this common question is simply, maybe. You’ve probably heard the risks of bacterial exposure that come with eating raw meat, and this risk does not necessarily disappear for our canine friends. Though bacteria found in raw meat can certainly cause your dog harm, they do have a stronger defense against these bacterium than humans do.

A dog’s stomach acid is much more acidic than ours, giving them more protection against harmful bacteria that can impact their gut. While they may have built in protection against harmful bacteria, you are still taking a risk when offering raw chicken. 

Risks of Feeding a Dog Raw Chicken

The risks of eating raw chicken for dogs are similar to the risks we face when doing the same. Due to the possibility of salmonella being present in raw chicken, some dogs can experience:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Anorexia
• Pancreatitis

Should you panic if your dog accidentally eats raw chicken?

If your dog ever gets hold of a raw chicken, there are a couple ways that you can approach the situation. You can choose to monitor your dog closely for any sign of gastrointestinal upset and make sure to have them seen quickly if they begin to display any symptoms, or you can take your dog to your veterinarian to induce vomiting. 

There is no wrong answer in this situation as long as you monitor your dog closely for the next 72 hours. It’s best to speak with your veterinarian in this scenario, as they may have their own suggestions.

Summary on Raw Chicken 

While your dog may be just fine after eating raw chicken, you are always taking a risk when offering your dog raw meat of any kind. Try your best to keep raw chicken out of your dog’s reach, and make sure to speak with your veterinarian in the event that your dog get their paws on raw chicken. 

Summary

Now that you understand the risks and benefits of the foods listed above, you can be better educated on what you can offer your pup in the kitchen! If you have any questions on the items listed above, make sure to contact your veterinarian.

 

If you enjoyed this article, take a look at our blog on Digestive Disorders: Pancreatitis in Dogs.