The tantalizing effect that a cured slice of meat leaves on our taste buds is irresistible. We enjoy a savory addition to our meal that makes a great combination with just about anything. But what about my inquisitive puppy who wants a taste of everything I eat? Can dogs eat raw bacon?
No, your dog should not eat raw bacon, don’t let your dog stay alone with raw bacon. Read on to find out about the harmful effects of ingesting raw bacon.
What Is Raw Bacon?
Bacon is a slice of salt-cured meat, typically made from pork belly. Since bacon is cured in salt, the amount of salt in it excessive.
Due to the presence of high amounts of salt and fat, raw bacon is incredibly harmful to your pup’s health.
Moreover, processed foods attack your puppy’s immune system. Many veterinarians are coming up with the harmful effects of processed food for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Bacon?
The simple answer to can dogs eats raw bacon is no, absolutely not! It might be okay if your dog snatched a little piece of cooked bacon, but not raw bacon. Raw bacon comes with various downsides and is toxic to your canine friend’s health.
Avoid feeding it regularly or in large quantities even if their puppy eyes make you want to do otherwise. As a dog owner, seeing your dog in pain can be distressing. It is best if you are precautionary instead of regretting your choices later.
Risks Of Eating Raw Bacon
Raw bacon is rich in fat, and once you fry it, there is excessive grease (also known as bacon lard). Excessive grease can clog your dog’s arteries and lead to an upset stomach.
1) Trichinosis:
Raw pork is injurious to your furry friend’s life. It threatens and weakens their immune system as it exposes them to various bacteria.
Raw pork contains bacteria and leads to infections. One such parasitic infection is trichinosis. You and your pup are both equally at risk of contracting trichinosis if raw meat goes inside your system. This is why many people say cooking kills bacteria.
A roundworm parasite causes trichinosis by the name of “Trichinella spiralis.” It can put your dog’s health at grave risk.
Not only is bacon unsafe for your furry friend, but it can also be injurious to your health as well!
2) Pancreatitis:
Pancreatitis refers to the inflammation of the pancreas. This disease makes it difficult for the pancreas to carry out its functions smoothly. Some of the functions include releasing digestive enzymes and absorbing nutrients. Any nutrients in your dog’s diet are unlikely to be absorbed by its system.
This can occur due to the ingestion of a high-fat diet. High-fat diet in one go, which can happen if your pup eats too much raw bacon simultaneously. It can also occur if low amounts of fat are ingested on a regular basis.
The pancreas helps digests food and aid the production of insulin. Insulin makes it easier for dogs to make use of the carbohydrates present in their food.
In the case of pancreatitis, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. As a result, the blood sugars are not regulated properly and your dog might develop diabetes. For this reason, you must also avoid feeding them marshmallows. Diabetes can be particularly injurious for a dog’s health. It cuts down their life span and can be a painful and lifelong disease.
Research has shown that smaller and larger dogs, such as Pitbulls and Labradors are equally at risk of contracting this disease.
Symptoms To Look Out For If Your Dog Ate Raw Bacon
If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned below, immediately contact your veterinarian!
1) Diarrhea:
Raw bacon has a disastrous amount of bacteria in it. The bacteria present can cause infections and lead to irregular bowel movements. In case your dog shows symptoms of diarrhea, it means your dog has contracted an ailment.
If your dog has ingested raw bacon, observing their stools will reassure you. In case if you notice something unusual, call your veterinarian!
2) Muscle Pain:
Muscle Pain or inflammation may occur as a result of ingesting raw bacon. Weakness, swelling, or muscle soreness can occur in case of a parasitic attack.
If your dog is being extra lazy, you may want to observe it for 24 hours. In case the soreness increases, your vet will be able to assist you better.
But, keep in mind parasitic infections such as trichinosis are hard to observe. To be on the safe side, it is best to avoid bacon as a whole.
3) Vomiting:
We know that high-fat diets make it difficult for dogs to digest their food. In case your dog has ingested large amounts of raw bacon their body will refuse to accept it. As a result, they will throw everything out of their system.
Vomiting is the most common symptom of ingesting high-sodium and high-fat food. This implies that the bacon is upsetting their insides.
4) Abdominal Pain:
Inflammation of the intestines can cause abdominal pain. Tapeworms, a type of parasitic worm, are the cause of this pain. They live inside the intestines and make movements difficult and painful. Tapeworms are present in raw bacon and can be avoided if the bacon is cooked thoroughly.
However, even cooked bacon has high sodium and fat content and must be kept away from your dog’s reach.
5) Lethargy:
Lethargy is an obvious sign that something is wrong with your dog. If your dog feels lethargic, a parasitic infection may have caused this dullness. Hence, call your veterinarian immediately!
5 Alternatives to Raw Bacon
So we have established that the answer to can dogs eat bacon is a no. But what other sources of protein are safe and healthy for my dog?
If you are looking for alternatives to bacon, have a look at the list below. You will find a detailed analysis of all the meat sources that are healthy for your pup!
1) Boiled Chicken:
Unseasoned boiled chicken is exceptionally healthy for your furry friend. It is jam-packed with nutritional benefits. Vitamins, minerals, and proteins are some of the nutritional benefits it provides.
It can also be fed to dogs with a sensitive or upset stomach. However, it might be a good idea to check for your dog’s allergies before feeding it chicken. You can also sprinkle some black pepper or fresh cilantro on their food.
2) Salmon:
Salmon is rich in omega 3 and fatty acids. Omega 3 and fatty acids aid the strengthening of your pup’s immune system. They also help make your pup’s coat shiny and prevent shedding. So if your Greyhound is shedding, you may want to give him some salmon!
Salmon is a great, perhaps a healthier alternative to bacon. It is rich in proteins, and your canine friend will enjoy eating it as a treat.
3) Duck:
Duck contains optimal nutritional benefits. In addition to being a low-fat diet, it is also rich in proteins, vitamin B, phosphorus, and potassium.
It is also filled to the brim with cancer preventive B Vitamins (Niacin, Vitamin B3, for instance)
Moreover, it is an excellent source of antioxidants, such as zinc and selenium. Selenium can help strengthen your furry friend’s immune system.
Hence, duck is a perfect and nutritious alternative to bacon. Your pup will also enjoy it as a treat.
4) Turkey:
If you are wondering you can share your thanksgiving meal with your pup, the answer is yes! Turkey is full of nutrients. It contains phosphorus, vitamins such as riboflavin, and an ample amount of proteins.
However, keep in mind not to feed your dog anything besides the meat of the turkey. You must not feed it onions or any other seasoned vegetables. Moreover, make sure to remove the turkey’s skin and feed only boneless meat to your dog.
5) Lamb:
Lamb is another nutritious meat that is an excellent choice for dogs. It is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. You will not have to worry about the taste because your canine friend will enjoy this treat!
Lamb contains the right quantity of fats that your dog needs in a balanced diet. Unlike bacon, the amount of fat in lamb will help in making your dog healthy and active.
It is best for dogs with allergies. You can give it to your dog if it is shedding excessively due to allergies. Lamb comes to the rescue when your dog has food allergies.
Food allergies can be contracted from various foods. It is always best to consult your veterinarian before self-diagnosing.
Conclusion:
Now that you have read the entire article, you know the cons of feeding bacon. Can dogs eat raw bacon? Dogs should not eat bacon, raw or cooked! In the same way, dogs should not eat olives due to the high sodium content.
In case your dog eats bacon when it is not under your supervision, observe any unusual actions. If it feels lethargic or starts vomiting, immediately call an animal emergency center.
Before feeding any of the alternatives to bacon, make sure to consult your veterinarian. Throughout the article, I have told the significance of consulting your veterinarian.
They will be able to give you a thorough idea of what meat substitutes are healthy and beneficial for your pup.
