Dogs love to eat meat because it’s delicious, can fill their appetite, and satisfy their cravings. But this doesn’t mean that they should eat meat all the time, especially if the meat is highly processed.
A good example of this is Smoked Sausage.
These are undeniably delicious for people, making this an all-time favorite for many.
But can dogs eat Smoked Sausage?
Yes, they can. But in very small amounts. We don’t recommend giving Smoked Sausage to dogs because it contains too much salt and fats.
These highly-processed meats contain many artificial additives that can deteriorate your dog’s health in the long run.
In this article, we’ll tell you more about the effects of Smoked Sausage on dogs, its ingredients, and what you should do if they overeat it. We’ll also show you better alternatives to Smoked Sausage so your dog can stay safe and healthy.
Is Smoked Sausage Safe For Dogs?
No, Smoked Sausage isn’t safe for dogs if they regularly eat a lot of it. Although a small piece of Smoked Sausage won’t harm your dog, it’s still better to play safe and avoid giving them any amount, no matter how small.
Smoked Sausage contains too much fat and salt, which is unhealthy for dogs and can lead to future health problems. While it does have a lot of protein ,it’s already highly processed and mixed with many artificial ingredients like flavoring and food coloring.
Why Shouldn’t Dogs Eat Smoked Sausage?
Seasonings
Dogs shouldn’t eat Smoked Sausage because it contains seasonings that can irritate your dog’s digestive system. Examples of these are onion, garlic powder, rosemary, and other herbs that can harm your dog.
Smoked Sausage contains high salt levels, which can cause salt poisoning in dogs if they consume too much regularly. Many Smoked Sausage brands have nutmeg, which is toxic to dogs.
Although there won’t be a real danger if they just ate a small bite, it’s still better to avoid giving them Smoked Sausage because this can become a habit for your dog.
Processed Meat
Smoked Sausage is made for people, so its content is designed for human consumption. This means that it’s often cooked with items that may be harmful to dogs but are safe for humans (like onions and garlic).
Smoked Sausage is a highly-processed food like hotdog, bacon, and meatloaf. These foods are known as carcinogens, meaning they can cause cancer.
Cancer is a common disease in canines as 1 out of 4 dogs is diagnosed with cancer.
Too Much Fat
Smoked Sausage contains too much fat, which is dangerous for dogs as this can cause obesity and hypertension. This can complicate more serious illnesses like hip dysplasia because their hip bones’ positions can be dislodged when exerting too much effort to carry their heavy weight.
A single serving of Smoked Sausage contains 15 grams of fat, which is too much for dogs. This also includes just 6 grams of protein which isn’t enough to supplement your dog’s bone and muscle growth.
What Happens To Dogs If They Eat Smoked Sausage?
Your dog can have many health problems in the long run if they overeat Smoked Sausage regularly. These include digestive issues, kidney damage, pancreatitis, hypertension, and obesity.
Fatty food can cause heart problems in dogs and significantly lower their lifespan. Obesity is also a common health problem in dogs that frequently eat processed foods like Smoked Sausage.
Can You Give Smoked Sausage As Treats To Dogs?
Smoked Sausage isn’t toxic to dogs. But it also isn’t safe and healthy for them if Smoked Sausage is included in their daily diet.
You can give Smoked Sausage as a treat for dogs as long as it’s in tiny amounts. A single bite of Smoked Sausage once or twice a week will do. This is enough to satisfy their cravings and let them taste this food without compromising their health.
However, it’s still better to give them other alternatives such as lean meat like a chicken breast because this is rich in protein and doesn’t have too many fats.
What To Do If Dogs Eat Smoked Sausage?
You don’t need to panic if your dog has eaten a small piece of Smoked Sausage because they won’t suffer any harmful effects.
But you need to keep a close eye on them and watch for any symptoms of stomach problems. Dogs can experience vomiting, abdominal pains, and diarrhea after consuming too many fats from highly-processed foods.
Bring your dog immediately to the nearest veterinarian if they ate a lot of Smoked Sausages because they can be at risk of salt poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Puppies Eat Smoked Sausage?
We don’t recommend smoked sausage to puppies because their digestive system is still underdeveloped. The salt and fat content of sausages can be too much for the small tummies of puppies. This can cause diarrhea and stomach pains and even choke them to death.
Can Dogs Eat Sausage Rolls?
Sausage rolls are also highly-processed meat containing pastry ingredients that add more empty calories. It’s not a good idea to give sausage rolls to dogs because of their high salt and fat content.
So, Can Dogs Eat Smoked Sausage?
Yes, dogs can eat Smoked Sausage as long as it is in small amounts.
Feeding dogs lots of Smoked Sausages regularly puts them at risk of hypertension, obesity, salt poisoning, pancreatitis, and hip dysplasia. Good thing there are many better alternatives you can give your dogs like chicken breast meat, frozen fruits, and even vegetable treats.