Most of us enjoy having corned beef. It is a hassle-free option to prepare a quick meal with. While it is a great food option for us, is it the same for dogs? Can dogs have corned beef?
The answer is no; dogs shouldn’t eat corned beef. It has a high amount of sodium and additives.
These ingredients make it harmful for our pets. It does give an excellent taste to our food, but not the same for our pets.
However, a bit or two won’t cause any problem. But, it shouldn’t form a significant portion of your dog’s diet.
This article has all the information you need. You will get to know about corned beef and its effect on our dogs. It will help you become aware of possible risks, make you more cautious with corned beef and your dog’s diet.
You also don’t need to worry about what to feed them because you can check our complete guides on feeding them Cheetos, Sour cream, Cream cheese, Olives, Raw bacon, Tea & Basil, Prunes but with proper cautions.
What is Corned Beef
Corned beef or salt beef is made using salt-curing beef. The tough cut of the meat called the brisket is what makes it yummy.
The long salt-filled cooking process makes the meat even tender. Typically, Americans love to feast on it on St. Patrick’s day.
The brining process of the meat makes the corned beef is tender and easily sliceable. Hence people efficiently use it in slices next to cabbage.
Since corned beef is a quick solution, it adds up to the delightfulness of the dish. People who run short of time can quickly get a hold of this. But, you shouldn’t let your dog get used to it. Both homemade and canned options have a lot of sodium, making it an unhealthy food for canines.
1) Is Corned Beef Safe for Dogs?
No, corned beef isn’t safe for dogs in a large amount. A few bites won’t harm. But it’s not OK for them to have corned beef for your dog for many reasons.
As the brining process occurs with ingredients like sodium and garlic, they make it a big no for dogs. This con outweighs the benefits of protein corned beef can provide to dogs.
Dogs and Sodium:
A dog’s body works differently than us. They cannot bear a large amount of sodium. Instead of providing benefits, it can pose health risks. Hence, corned beef is a complete NO for them.
The health issues due to over ingestion of sodium can look like:
- Excessive thirst
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Kidney problems
Due to the above symptoms, it is best to avoid adding corned beef to your pet’s diet. Limit this food to a few bites to keep them out of danger.
If they eat more than usual, give them plenty of water and let your dog chug more than average. This method helps to lessen the dehydration risk and takes sodium out of the system.
Dogs and Garlic:
Most people use garlic as bringing and simmering liquid. Some boil it with other vegetables like onion too. However, ASPA has strictly stated that onion and garlic are harmful to dogs.
Both of the ingredients contain the compound “thiosulfate.” It is a highly toxic compound and can cause death in some dogs. Other symptoms can include
- stomach upset
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Damaged red blood cells
But you shouldn’t panic if your dog eats a small piece of corned beef. Since it has a meager amount of garlic and onion, it won’t kill your dog but can cause other health problems.
2) Is It Fatal for Dogs?
No, corned beef isn’t fatal for dogs, but it’s not impossible either.
Too much salt can put your dog’s health at stake. And, we’re sure you don’t want that. The meat itself is safe for dogs, but the contents aren’t.
If you ever notice, salty food makes us very thirsty. The same happens with dogs as well. Too much salt can cause dehydration, and if not treated on time, it can kill them.
To avoid such conditions, you can mix corned beef with their regular food. This way, the salt content wouldn’t be that much as your pet eats its fill.
Generally, any salty food like a pretzel shouldn’t be a part of their diet. As their bodies cannot break sodium like humans, it can create problems in the long term.
3) What Amount of Corned Beef Is Okay Dogs?
We cannot tell you the exact amount as it depends upon the brand you choose. Plus, the process the corned beef also undergoes vital to know.
Mostly canned options have components that can harm your pooch. It contains too much salt for preservation. Extra ingredients like spices and pepper are also part of canned corned beef.
Giving a bite or two occasionally is okay for your dog. You can add it to their regular diet as a treat as well.
It is best to avoid corned beef with lots of seasonings or additives. However, if the store-bought option has less sodium, it shouldn’t cause any issue.
Homemade corned beef is a good option because you keep a check on the number of ingredients you put in.
Nonetheless, you must know corned beef is something unhealthy for our dogs. So, making it a regular part of their diet will cause health issues in the long run.
4) Risks Of Overfeeding Your Dog Corned Beef:
Above we studied what each of the ingredients in corned beef can do to a dog’s body. Since corned beef has a minimal amount of these ingredients, does it do any harm?
We call corned beef an unhealthy option for your dog. There are reasons behind it as overfeeding corned beef can cause:
- Vomiting
- Excessive Thirst
- Diarrhea
- Upset Stomach
Regular intake of salty corned beef can lead to complications as well. Your pet doesn’t need to have corned beef.
There are plenty of options for your pooch that doesn’t carry any risks. These include fruits and vegetables.
To improve your dog’s life quality, avoid giving beef or other canned meat to them. These food items are only good for us and not for our pets.
Dogs can also sneak into the leftovers. So, ensure your pooch doesn’t have access to them too.
5) Do Dogs Love Corned Beef?
If we cannot resist the delicious smell and taste of corned beef, how can our dogs not find it tempting?
The smell of corned beef is quite alluring for them. They start to drool over it once they get a taste of it.
That doesn’t mean you give everything the love. Our dogs don’t know what food is beneficial or harmful for them. As a pet owner, you must avoid sharing things that they shouldn’t eat.
Always consult a vet before adding anything to their diet. It will help your pet to avoid suffering from health complications.
Final Verdict:
You wanted to know can dogs have corned beef. The answer is no; they shouldn’t. Despite being a delightful food for us, it can cause harm to pooches.
As much as we find corned beef tempting, remember it isn’t a healthy treat for dogs. Any other canned food is also not safe for dogs.
Limit your dog’s corned beef intake to a few bites only. This will help you monitor your pooch sodium level as well. It is best if you keep water for them after they’ve eaten their food.
Dogs can easily and happily eat bland food. So, whatever food you eat and give to your pet shouldn’t have many spices and additives that can harm your pooch.
