Imagine yourself getting ready to take that first bite of your breakfast meal. As you direct your fork towards your mouth, you see your beloved pooch rushing toward your direction as if wanting to grab that for himself.
Now the food has finally landed in your mouth, and voila, your dog has not stopped staring at you, drooling, and begging to have a bite or two. Perhaps you are eating bacon or ham for breakfast.
Unless you are a vegetarian or do not consume pork for religious reasons, the chances are you have bacon at home or any pork products. This savory food sends a strong aroma that not only our human noses can sense but our canine companions too. That makes our dogs want to have a taste of it also.
While humans enjoy the taste of pork and know that it is a good source of fats and protein, you sure have wondered if it is safe to share this kind of meat with your dog.
All about pork
The list can be longer if you think of delicious protein sources for your dogs, and meat will surely be on top of that list. If there is one meat product that would make your dog crazy and feel excited about, it is probably pork! It does not only make them drool but also want for more.
But what exactly is pork? It has become a common household term for meat lovers. It is no other than the meat that comes from hogs or pigs. Among the many pork meat products we consume daily are sausages, ham, bacon, and gammon.
Because dogs need a significant amount of protein in their diet, most of their protein requirement is sourced from meat. For that reason, many dog owners do not think twice about giving their fur babies a slice of bacon or some sausages.
Pet parents often assume that pork is just like beef, chicken, or any other meat, and giving them a piece or so as a treat would not harm their dog. But the question here is, can a dog eat pork?
Is pork safe for dogs to eat?
There is a need to qualify the answer to the question above. While pork can be a very palatable and nutritious source of protein for your dog, there are certain caveats that every dog owner needs to note.
If you plan on feeding pork to your dog or white meat, make sure you give your dog plain pork and nothing more. With that, it means you have to skip the seasonings, spices, and other add-ons because these can be dangerous to your dog.
The kind of pork (what humans consume)you may be having in mind now is not the kind of pork that you need to feed your dog. While there is nothing in pork that may be poisonous and toxic for your canine friends, whatever you add in preparation for human consumption can be highly toxic for dogs when ingested.
Going back to the scenario where your dog wants to have a piece of what you are eating, as a responsible owner, think twice before giving in to those sweet puppy eyes. Garlic powder, nutmeg, onion powder, and even BBQ sauce are not well for dogs.
Aside from having high sugar and sodium contents, processed pork products like bacon contain too much fat that may be too much for your dog’s stomach to handle. Giving your dog human pork-based food that falls under the table scraps category may cause your dog some stomach upset, especially those with sensitive stomachs.
What happens if you have accidentally given your dog some pork BBQ? Better keep an eye on him for possible symptoms of upset tummy and poisoning, and never think twice about taking your dog to the vet right away.
Pork, in general, is safe for dogs. Many commercially available dog food in the market today have included pork as one of their flavoring or ingredient. It is that kind of pork that we, humans, consume that is unsafe and unhealthy for a dog’s diet, no matter what style of cooking pork you use.
Can a dog eat cooked pork?
Like any type of meat, dogs can eat cooked pork if given in moderation. But when preparing cooked meat for your dog, skip the condiments. Make things simple and plain.
A small amount of thoroughly cooked pork can be alright for your dog as a treat. Pork can be a good protein source for your dog. But since pork contains a lot of fat, you need to choose those pieces with lesser fat carefully, like pork chops.
As a loving and responsible dog owner, you would not want your canine friend to suffer from digestive issues. Giving your dog pork that has been seasoned with garlic powder or onion can cause damage to their red blood cells. Worse, feeding your dog much fat can cause an inflamed pancreas. This condition is called pancreatitis.
Some of the signs and symptoms that your dog is suffering from pancreatitis include diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite, fever, abdominal pain, a hunched appearance, dehydration, and depression. Should you notice any issues in your dog’s digestive system, do not hesitate to call the vet right away to get immediate treatment.
Can a dog eat raw pork?
You might have thought, is eating uncooked pork bad for dogs? As it is with humans, the consumption of raw or undercooked pork is not safe at all.
Raw meat or uncooked meat may not only contain harmful bacteria. There can also be trichinella parasites (roundworms) called trichinella spiralis larvae. These can lead to trichinosis and are extremely dangerous for your furry friend. Dog owners should note that including any kind of raw meat in your dog’s diet carries the same risk of having these parasites.
Some of the symptoms that can manifest in dogs with trichinosis are muscle inflammation, diarrhea, vomiting, upset tummy, pain plus stiffness, elated fever, and lethargy. Dogs with a weaker immune system may exhibit severe symptoms.
Can’t dogs eat raw pork? But what about pork sold for raw feeding?
As these raw pork has undergone an extensive process to avoid possible risks of contamination and the thriving of parasites, then these are safe for your dogs to consume. Unlike standard raw pork found on grocery counters, even if they are said to be of premium quality, these products have not undergone the same process designed for dogs.
Can dogs eat pork bones?
Dogs love to chew. You might liken pork bones to dental chews that you may consider a good chew for your canine companion. Although you may find it tempting to toss some pork bones from your dinner plate, you should not do so.
Giving your dog pork bones – both cooked bones and uncooked bones – is not 100% safe. Cooked pork bones become dry, making it to become brittle and fragile. It can be a potential choking hazard to your dog.
When munched on, its sharp edges can cause a slash on the esophagus and even damage other internal organs. Even if you give your dog a raw pork bone, still, it is not completely safe.
Remember to avoid feeding your dogs your scrap pork bones. Feed pork bones only that are sold at pet stores.
Always keep an extra eye on your dog should you give a piece of bone to chew. But if your dog loves bones, better give them edible dental bone chews as an alternative.
Health benefits of pork to your dog’s body:
- This rich meat is a good source of digestible protein;
- Contain amino acids, which are necessary for the body to function well; and
- Pork liver and heart provide essential vitamins.
What meat should dogs not eat?
Ham, bacon, fat trimmings, pork bones, sausages, and other similar pork products that are considered fatty foods and high salt foods should not be given to dogs. Again, if your dogs eat cooked pork, make sure that it is prepared without any additives.
Your dog’s internal organs are at stake with too much salt and fat consumption. If your dog eats pork, be sure you only give them pork from pet stores, and feeding pork should be in moderation.
Remember that anything in excess is not good for their health. When you think that something is wrong with your dogs, take them to the vet immediately.
Conclusion
If you are still wondering if dogs can eat pork, the answer is yes, but the term to take note of is: “lean”. In the same way, if you are asked if pork is bad for dogs or if pork is good for dogs, the answer can be a “yes” and a “no”. As not all pork products and cuts are created equal, lean pork can be a promising source of protein and essential vitamins fit for every dog’s diet.
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*photo by frederiquewacquier – depositphotos
