Sausages are one of the most popular breakfast foods we’ve grown to love. They’re a perfect pair with eggs, bacon, and pancakes while sipping from a hot cup of coffee.
But what if your dog approaches you as you’re eating these?
Will you give in to their puppy eyes? Or will you stay true to your mantra that dogs shouldn’t eat human food?
Can dogs eat Sausage?
Yes, dogs can eat Sausage as long as it’s in small amounts. A bite or two is safe, but anything more than that can lead to health problems.
Sausage is made from processed meat which can cause indigestion problems in your dog. Dogs can also suffer from obesity and pancreatitis because of Sausages’ high fat and salt content.
In this article, we will dive deep into these health issues and help you know more about the effects of eating Sausages for dogs. We’ll show you what a Sausage is made of, its nutritional content, and the benefits and risks dogs can get when eating this popular breakfast meal.
What Is Sausage?
A Sausage is a meat product made from pork ground meat, beef ground meat, or chicken ground meat. It contains many different spices and flavorings like salt, garlic, and onion bits.
Some Sausages contain breadcrumbs and grains to serve as extenders and fillers. More premium Sausages are finely chopped and have tastier seasoned meat.
One piece of Sausage contains 210 calories, 19 grams of fat, and 41 milligrams of cholesterol, making it a high-calorie food.
Your dog can suffer from excessive weight gain and become obese if they regularly eat Sausage because of its high fat and cholesterol levels. Sausages are also very salty because one piece contains 562 milligrams of sodium.
To make things worse, one sausage only has 0.6 grams of carbohydrates and 8.1 grams of protein, which are too low to affect your dog’s energy levels and muscle development positively.
Are Sausages Bad For Dogs?
Yes, Sausages are bad for dogs because they contain too much fat and salt. One Sausage includes 19 grams of fat, which is too high for your dog.
Their digestive system will have a hard time converting this into energy. This will then end up as stored fats and cause obesity in the long run. Obesity can lead to more serious illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and pancreatitis.
Sausages are also loaded with too much salt, which is bad for dogs because their digestive system can’t correctly digest salty foods. Some Sausages include onions and garlic, which are toxic to dogs.
Can Sausage Poison Dogs?
No, most sausages can’t poison dogs because their ingredients aren’t that toxic. Just be sure there isn’t excessive onion, garlic, or other ingredients in the sausage that can harm your dog.
However, Sausages are processed foods that contain too much fats, salt, and preservatives that can harm your dog’s health in the long run.
Dogs are carnivores, and meat is a natural part of their diet. Unfortunately, the kind of meat Sausages are made of is unhealthy because it’s already processed.
Why Shouldn’t Dogs Eat Sausage?
High Risk Of Obesity
One of the biggest reasons dogs shouldn’t eat Sausages is that they contain too much fat and cholesterol. Sausages are also a high-calorie diet because one piece has 210 calories.
This is too high for dogs, especially since the ideal daily calorie intake is around 400 to 500, depending on their size. This means that they have little room to eat more foods throughout the day if they want to stay fit and healthy.
One Sausage also contains 41 milligrams of cholesterol which is very high for dogs. This can increase the chances of your dog suffering from obesity in the future.
Too Much Fats And Salt
Sausages are fully loaded with fats and salt, and a single piece contains 19 grams of fat and 562 grams of sodium.
These are too high for dogs and can mess up their tummies because their digestive system can’t correctly process fatty and salty foods.
The fats consumed will become stored fats and cause excessive weight gain, leading to obesity. Obesity can then lead to other diseases like hip dysplasia because their bones will be dislodged from their original areas.
The high fat and salt content of Sausages is dangerous for dogs with health problems affecting their liver, heart, or kidney. Dogs suffering from these diseases need a low-sodium and low-calorie diet to maintain their ideal weight and reduce the symptoms.
Carcinogens
Sausages are made from processed meat which is considered a carcinogen. This means that these foods can cause cancer.
Other known processed meat carcinogens include hotdogs, bacon, and meatloaf. Cancer is a severe disease in dogs as it affects 1 in 4 dogs. You can prevent your dog from suffering from cancer if you don’t feed them processed meats, including Sausages.
Harmful Ingredients
Some Sausage brands contain harmful ingredients like nutmeg, which is detrimental to dogs. Nutmegs are toxic to dogs because they have a toxin called myristicin which causes stomach upsets and indigestion problems.
Onions and garlic are other common ingredients in Sausage toxic to dogs. Although a small amount won’t harm your dog, it’s still better to avoid giving Sausages to your dog because they can easily get addicted to the taste, scent, and soft texture.
What Will Happen To Your Dog After Eating Sausage?
You don’t have to worry too much if your dog ate a small amount of Sausage because it won’t be enough to cause any health risks.
However, your dog can suffer from nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy if they eat a lot of Sausages. These are only the short-term effects!
Meanwhile, long-term effects include obesity, leading to hypertension, diabetes, pancreatitis, and hip dysplasia.
What To Do If Dogs Eat Sausage?
Don’t panic if your dog ate a Sausage. Observe them for any discomfort and awkward movements and reactions if they ate a small amount. Also, let them drink lots of water after.
However, you should immediately bring your dog to the nearest veterinarian if they ate more than one Sausage.
What Are The Best Alternatives To Sausage For Dogs?
Sausages aren’t healthy for dogs because they contain too much fats and salt. They will just make your dog obese in the long run.
Sausages are also very addictive, so don’t risk giving just one or two pieces because they’ll keep asking for more!
Sausages have a distinct smell and taste, which can be addictive to dogs. Instead of giving Sausages as treats to your dog, it’s better if you give them healthier alternatives like chicken or turkey breast.
These are rich in protein and low in fats. Chicken breast is also a great source of vitamins and minerals that strengthen their immune system and boost muscle buildup. Just make sure you don’t put any salt or seasonings because these are harmful to dogs.
How To Safely Feed Sausage To Your Dog?
You shouldn’t include Sausages in your dog’s daily meal diet because these contain high levels of fat and salt that can cause obesity, diabetes, and pancreatitis.
Instead, you can use Sausages as treats for your dog if you want them to taste this popular breakfast food.
Just cut them into tiny bits, so they don’t consume too much cholesterol and fats. Don’t regularly give Sausages to your dogs, even if this is just in small amounts, to avoid addiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Sausage Rolls?
No. Dogs shouldn’t eat Sausage Rolls because these are highly processed and contain too much salt and fats. This just adds more empty calories to your dog, leading to obesity.
Can Dogs Eat Flavored Sausage?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat Flavored Sausage because their digestive system isn’t meant to process foods with various flavors. This will cause indigestion problems like vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain.
What Meat Can Harm Your Dog?
All kinds of processed meat aren’t healthy for dogs because they’re loaded with fats, salt, and preservatives.
Examples of these kinds of meat are bacon, corned beef, hotdog, meatloaf, and ham. Dogs that regularly eat these foods have a high risk of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
So, Can Dogs Eat Sausage?
Yes, dogs can eat Sausage as long as it’s in small amounts. But it’s still better if they avoid eating Sausages because these are processed foods that contain too much fats and salt.
This can lead to obesity and complicate more serious illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, pancreatitis, and hip dysplasia. Sausages are also considered carcinogens, which means they can cause cancer.
There are many healthier and safer foods you can give to your dog, just like chicken or turkey breast. These are loaded with more protein, have fewer fats, and are a rich source of protein and Vitamins A and D to boost muscle growth and strengthen the immune system.