Because they’re easy to cook and work well with other ingredients, hot dogs are a favorite among many homes. You can add a few slices of hot dogs to fried rice, spaghetti, casserole, or eat them as is. You can also enjoy hot dogs by adding them to hamburger buns or sandwiches.
But just because hot dogs are tasty treats for humans doesn’t mean that this should be a staple in your dogs’ diets. Hot dogs are highly-processed foods, and feeding them to your dogs can only do more harm than good.
To answer the question of whether dogs can eat hot dogs, it’s best if you don’t feed them any. Your furry friends should never be given hot dogs as it contains the following ingredients:
Nitrates And Nitrates
Nitrate and nitrite are natural compounds approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as preservatives. These compounds are often used in fish and meat products to extend their lifespan. You can also find nitrate and nitrite in various cured meats, such as bacon, ham, and smoked fish. These compounds are also found in some commercial dog foods.
Nitrate also impacts plant growth, which is why fruits and vegetables, such as celery, carrots, and cabbages, have them. Some fruits and vegetables even have higher levels of nitrate than meat.
And while nitrates are part of a normal diet, feeding your dogs foods that contain excessive amounts of nitrate and nitrite can cause several problems, such as:
Toxicity And Cancer
When your dogs consume nitrite, the compound can turn into nitric oxide, which can reduce inflammation and improve the vascular function of your pets. However, there are also instances when nitrites turn into nitrosamine, which can be harmful to your dogs. Nitrosamines are carcinogenic and can cause reproductive, developmental, and organ system toxicity in dogs.
According to studies, nitrosamine can also increase your dogs’ risk of developing gastric cancer. This health condition can develop over weeks and months and cause several symptoms, such as vomiting, excessive salivation, decreased appetite, weight loss, and abdominal pain.
Methemoglobin
Hemoglobin is found in your dogs’ red blood cells. This type of protein is responsible for carrying oxygen to your dogs’ tissues and organs and then transports carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
There are instances when the iron in your dogs’ blood oxidizes. When this happens, hemoglobin turns into methemoglobin, and oxygen can’t bind to it. Having abnormal methemoglobin levels in the body can cause your dogs to develop methemoglobinemia, a blood disorder that happens when the cells don’t get enough oxygen.
One of the main reasons why this happens is when your dogs consume oxidizers, like nitrate or nitrite. A diet that contains at least 7.9 mg/kg of nitrite every day can already trigger methemoglobin production in your dogs’ bodies. At least 40 mg/kg of nitrate is already lethal for your furry friends.
A single hot dog contains 9 mg of nitrate, making the food dangerous for your dogs. Even feeding one hot dog to your furry friends is enough for their bodies to develop methemoglobin.
Monosodium Glutamate or MSG
MSG is an excitotoxin that encourages the production of dopamine in your dogs’ bodies. Generally, MSG works by tricking your dogs’ brains and letting them think that their food is more delicious.
Over time, MSG can also damage the brains of your dogs to the point where they can no longer recognize that they’re already full. MSG can also trigger learning disabilities in your dogs and diseases, such as Parkinson’s.
MSG is also linked to several health conditions, like liver inflammation, diabetes, and obesity. Some studies also show that excessive consumption of MSG in dogs can trigger behavioral issues, fetal brain damage, and neuroendocrine disturbances.
Artificial Sweeteners
Hot dogs also contain a lot of artificial sweeteners, such as sucrose, fructose, and maltin. However, as a pet owner, there’s one sweetener you need to worry about: xylitol. This artificial sweetener is toxic to your furry-legged friends and causes low blood sugar. When left untreated, this health condition can be life-threatening for your dogs.
Aside from hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, xylitol can also cause a lot of symptoms in your dogs, such as vomiting, weakness, seizures, and even incoordination. Xylitol can also trigger loss of appetite, which can eventually lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Salt
Your dogs need salt in their diets. Salt helps regulate their blood fluids and ensures that their hearts, kidneys, and liver function properly. Salt also supports the muscle and nerve growth of your furry friends.
But just like humans, dogs only need a small amount of salt in their diets. Too much salt can lead to thirst, bloating, and a drastic rise in blood pressure. Over time, these can cause diarrhea, dehydration, poisoning, and even death.
Unfortunately, hot dogs contain a lot of salt. Some varieties of hot dogs even contain 1,090 mg of salt for every 100 grams. A 33-pound dog only requires around 200 mg of salt every day, which is why feeding your dogs hot dogs can have detrimental effects on their health.
Unhealthy Fats
The bodies of humans and dogs are different in many ways. For one, the metabolic process of the human body is faster than dogs, which means that humans can tolerate foods that are high in fat. Feeding your dogs with food that contains too much fat can adversely affect their health and trigger digestive upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Hot dogs are very high in unhealthy fats, and adding them to your dogs’ diet can eventually take a toll on their health. Aside from the mentioned symptoms, unhealthy fats from hot dogs can also increase your dogs’ risk of getting pancreatitis and heart diseases.
Sodium
Sodium is important in your dogs’ diet because it aids in the transmission and production of nerve impulses. Sodium is also crucial to maintain proper muscle and nerve cell functions.
However, too much sodium in the body also causes several health risks. In general, dogs who weigh around 30 pounds shouldn’t exceed 100 mg of sodium every day. Hot dogs contain about 500 mg of sodium, which means that giving your dogs one whole hot dog as a treat is too much.
A diet that contains too much sodium can result in dehydration and increased blood pressure in dogs.
Choking Hazard
Aside from containing ingredients that are harmful to your dogs, hot dogs can also become a choking hazard. It’s common for dogs to scarf down on their treats and food and barely chew them. The tastier the food you feed to them, the lesser amount of time they’ll spend chewing.
Because of their size, hot dogs can easily get lodged on your dogs’ throats. Even though dogs have sharp teeth and big mouths, certain food can still get stuck on their throats. This situation can be fatal, especially when you don’t know how to do the Heimlich Maneuver.
What Should You Do If Your Dogs Ate Hot Dogs By Accident?
Because of its aroma, it’s common for dogs to get attracted to hotdogs. They might snatch the hot dog right off the table when you’re not looking. And when this happens, it’s important that you know what to do.
When your dogs eat hot dogs by accident, they’ll likely get a stomachache or other digestive problems, such as diarrhea. Fortunately, this should pass within one day. However, if it doesn’t and your dogs continue to exhibit symptoms of diarrhea, visit the vet immediately. When left untreated for more than 24 hours, diarrhea can eventually result in extreme dehydration.
Always ensure that your dog has access to clean water, as the salt in the hot dog will make them thirsty all the time. Water will also help flush out the additives from your dogs’ bodies.
What Are Healthier Alternatives To Hot Dogs?
If you don’t want your dogs to feel left out whenever there are parties at home, feed them other foods instead of giving them hot dogs. There are many options to choose from that are safer and healthier for your furry friends.
For example, during get-togethers at home, you can give your dogs small pieces of chicken or a hamburger. Just make sure not to add any BBQ sauce, salt, and other condiments.
Can Dogs Eat Chili Dogs?
No, you should never feed your dogs with chili dogs. Chili dogs contain a lot of spices that can irritate the stomachs of your furry friends. Many chili dogs also contain onion and garlic, which are toxic to dogs even when consumed in small amounts.
How About Corn Dogs?
No, corn dogs aren’t the healthiest option for your dogs either. Corn dogs aren’t toxic to dogs but contain excessive amounts of additives, salt, and fat. The bread-covered exterior of the corn dogs is also packed with sugar that can upset the digestive system of your dogs.
So, if you’re snacking corn dogs at home, best to keep them to yourself and never give any to your pets. This will keep you full and ensure that your dogs remain safe and healthy.
Work With A Vet ASAP
If you need any pieces of advice about hot dogs — whether your dogs accidentally ate some or you’re looking for healthier alternatives —talk to a vet pronto. They can help you create the healthiest diets for your furry friends to ensure that they remain happy and healthy for years!