Sausages are quite tempting for us, and our furry friend will also have an eager glance at them. They would expect to get a bite from their master’s plate. But can dogs eat sausage?
A big NO! Dogs shouldn’t be fed with sausages, they are not healthy for your pet friend.
Typically, meat is good for pooch’s health. It is rich in protein and other nutrients. However, when it comes to sausages, things are a bit confusing.
In this article, we will discover if sausages are safe for dogs or not. Let’s find out!
Can Dogs Eat Sausage?
Many dog owners love to give chunks of beef or chicken to their pets. But, sausage isn’t something you should provide them. Pork, Vienna, liver or any other variations of sausage isn’t recommended.
If you accidentally dropped a tiny chunk on the floor and your dog ate it, it’s completely fine!
Sausage is fatty in nature. It contains oil and other ingredients, which you shouldn’t make a part regular part of your dog’s diet.
In some way, they will find sausage chunks during a BBQ party, and you shouldn’t panic if they do so. Even undercooked and contaminated sausages can put your pup’s health at high risk.
3 Reasons Why Sausage Is Harmful To Dogs?
Breakfast sausage isn’t the healthiest option for your pooch. Giving a bite or two is completely fine. However, making a part of their diet isn’t right due to the following factors:
1) High-Fat Content:
This point is enough to keep your dog away from sausages. One breakfast sausage can have up to 50% of fat. It isn’t a beneficial feature for your dog’s heart health.
Too much fat leads to high cholesterol and fat accumulation in the blood vessels. The vessels, when blocked, will cause a heart attack.
Obesity is another problem whose culprit is “high-fat content.” Overweight dogs tend to become less active and don’t take an interest in activities.
2) Salt And Other Additives:
Breakfast sausage has a pleasing flavor because of all the seasoning it contains. It contains ingredients like onion and garlic.
Both the additives are toxic for dogs. This is why foods like garlic bread and Doritos aren’t meant for canines.
Moreover, the amount of salt one sausage patty contains is 349 grams. And, dogs only require 0.3% sodium for a healthy diet. High sodium intake can cause salt poisoning.
Salt and seasonings, when combined, can cause an upset tummy and damage the red blood cells.
3) Salmonella Poisoning:
The “salmonella” bacteria are present in raw meat and eggs. It is also found in contaminated pet food. This condition is uncommon in dogs as they have a strong immune system to fight the disease.
Senior dogs and puppies are prone to Salmonella infection due to a weak immune system. Saliva and feces are two mediums of transfer of salmonella. Hence, you must keep your pooch away from other pet’s droplets.
5 Symptoms Of Eating Contaminated Sausage
Dogs have an inquisitive nature. They tend to get in every corner of your house. They will also try to get in the trash can.
Pieces of contaminated sausages in the trash could cause health problems. Hence, if you suspect your dog eating it, look for the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
Contaminated or not, an okay sausage can also cause vomiting and diarrhea. These signs will last for almost 24 hours. After that, their stomach will settle.
Ensure that you give them a bland diet with lots of water. This will help the toxins to flush out from their body.
In case of diarrhea, plenty of water is necessary to prevent them from dehydration.
Sausage With Grease
Can dogs eat sausage? they will eat it but they shouldn’t. If plain sausages aren’t healthy for pups how can the one with grease be good? Most people love to cook their food like bacon or sausage with grease. Never put this grease in your dog’s food.
The sausage grease has more fat and salt content than the sausage itself. The grease is harmful and unhealthy for humans and dogs too. But expect a dog to get severely sick.
The reason is, dogs have a smaller digestive system than us. Their bodies cannot digest too much fat, salt, and other seasonings. In rare cases, greasy sausages can also shorten your pet’s life.
8 Healthy Alternatives Of Sausage For Dogs
Till now we know sausages do not contain any ingredients that are beneficial for dog’s health
There are many fruits and vegetables which are full of nutrients. Some of them are mentioned below:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Edamame beans
- Eggplant
- Sweet potatoes
There is a whole list of nutritious food which has plenty of vitamins and minerals, but the above ones are the best pick.
Conclusion:
To sum up, sausages aren’t the best option for your dog to eat. But, a few tit-bits won’t kill your dog.
It is a poor dietary choice and can lead to many harmful effects on your canine’s health. Too much pork isn’t good itself. How can you expect sausages as a healthy option? Thus, all processed meat isn’t the right choice for canines.