Can dogs have bacon

Can Dogs Eat Bacon?

Can Dogs Eat Bacon?

Human foods like raisins and grapes, chocolate, and peanut butter can be toxic and even deadly for dogs. Reports of various food-related deaths have encouraged pet owners to ask about the safety of foods like bacon and other meats. Learn more about what foods are safe for dogs in our Ultimate Guide to What Dogs Cant Eat.

Socan dogs eat bacon?

The answer to this question is yes, they can! Most dogs love the smell, texture, and salty flavor of bacon. Remember though, just because dogs can eat bacon doesnt mean they should. Bacon is a fatty food with high sodium (salt) content that can cause health problems in some dogs.

Bacon comes from the belly, sides, or back of a pig. On its own, it can be fried, grilled, or baked. Its also a popular addition to salads, pastas, and omelets and can be wrapped around other meats or vegetables like steak or asparagus. Bacon has an amazing, instantly-recognizable aroma and flavor which has made it a favorite among humans and dogs. In fact, Americans are estimated to consume an average of 18 pounds of bacon each year. There are, however, a number of potential side effects to bacon consumption that pet owners should keep in mind.

The Risks of Bacon for Dogs

When feeding bacon to your dog, keep the following risks in mind:

1. Because bacon is very high in fat and sodium, pancreatitis or gastrointestinal (GI) upset can develop in some dogs, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Click here to learn more about pancreatitis.
2. Garlic powder, onion powder, maple chili, honey chipotle, pepper, and brown sugar are often used to flavor bacon. Each can increase the potential for GI problems.
3. Bacons high sodium content can increase thirst. After ingestion of high-sodium foods or snacks, dogs will drink excessive amounts of water. This combination can lead to an emergency condition called bloat.
4. Raw or undercooked bacon may contain bacteria or parasites. The larvae of the trichinella spiralis parasite, also known as trichinosis, is transmitted by ingestion of undercooked or raw pork meat. Symptoms of trichinosis include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite, fever, and reluctance to move due to muscle pain.
5. Some dogs may be allergic to pork. Learn more about Food Allergies in Dogs.
6. It is important to consider that human meals containing bacon may include other toxic ingredients. For example, a cobb salad with bacon may also feature onion, garlic, raisins, or fresh grapes, which can be toxic for dogs. Be very careful when feeding leftovers to your dog.
7. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that processed and preserved meats, such as bacon, are considered carcinogenic. Nitrites chemicals used to cure or preserve bacon can cause gastrointestinal upset in some dogs and are potentially linked to cancer, liver, and heart disease in humans.
8. Choking can occur when dogs are fed pork bones. This is more common in small dogs, but its a potential risk for dogs of every size. In some cases, pork bones can splinter, causing cuts in the oral mucosa or esophagus.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any food can lead to gastrointestinal upset in dogs. What may not cause illness in one dog, can cause problems for another. If your dog has ingested bacon and is showing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or any other problem, please call your veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic.

Do Dogs Need Bacon or Pork?

There is nothing in bacon required by dogs. That being said, most dogs absolutely love it. Many dog treats and foods are flavored with bacon to increase palatability.

Though we might think of them as carnivores, dogs are actually omnivorous. This means that they can derive nutrition from both plants and animals. Because of the high calorie, fat, and sodium content of bacon, most veterinarians recommend snacks with leaner and healthier protein sources, such as chicken, beef, or fish. While dogs love meat, they can also derive necessary nutrients from vegetables like carrots, asparagus, broccoli, green beans, and kale.

Are There Dog Foods Made with Bacon?

Bacon is a common flavoring for treats and dog foods. Pork can also provide the basis of high-quality dog foods, including grain-free varieties. Dog foods formulated with pork as the primary ingredient may be recommended for dogs with allergies to chicken or beef. Learn more about your dogs dietary needs here.

The Safest Way to Feed Bacon to Dogs

The safest way to feed bacon to your dog is to offer a small amount of cooked, crispy bacon that has been drained of excess grease. When the bacon is cooked until crispy, most of the fat will be cooked off. It can be drained by allowing the cooked, hot bacon strip to sit on a paper towel-lined plate.

How Much Bacon Can You Feed a Dog?

If your dog tolerates bacon and shows no signs of gastrointestinal upset, you may feed it bacon in small amounts. You can offer a small dog about 1/8 to 1/4 of a strip (dogs < 20 pounds), a medium-sized dog (dogs 21 55 pounds) around 1/2 of a strip, and about 3/4 to 1 strip for a large dog (over 55 pounds).

Can Dogs Eat Bacon? Its More Dangerous Than You Think

Lets cut to the chase: Can dogs eat bacon? The answer is no. Though the scent of sizzling bacon wafting through the air is one of the most tantalizing aromas for dogs and humans alike, it comes with some serious drawbacks for your pets health.

Ultimately, large amounts of this pork product contain a life-threatening combination of preservatives, high sodium, and high fat that can wreak havoc on a dogs digestive system. A tiny piece or lick of bacon grease that landed on the floor wont kill them, but its best to be cautious and conservative when it comes to sharing this porky snack.

No matter how much their puppy-dog eyes try to charm you into giving them a slice, bacon is a human food thats just too risky to share with your dog. Read on to learn more about the dangers of feeding your dog bacon, plus discover safe,healthier treatsthat your pup is sure to drool over just as much.

The Health Risks of Bacon

Weve answered the question, Can dogs eat bacon? Now its time to find out why.

Bacon has a significant amount of fat and grease. As such, giving bacon to your dog especially in large quantities can lead to an upset stomach. Bacon grease can also clog your pups arteries.

We know its hard to say no to your dog when they so clearly want a taste of bacon. But resist the urge even if your pooch makes those sad eyes and dials up the cuteness factor. Giving bacon to your dog on a regular basis can cause inflammation.

For example, the pancreas is responsible for releasing digestive enzymes in the stomach so your dog can absorb and digest food on a day-to-day basis. When its inflamed, that disrupts your dogs ability to digest food and absorb nutrients. If the pancreas isnt able to do its job, then uncomfortable symptoms will arise.

According to the veterinary pharmacists at Pet Health Pharmacy, smaller dog breeds like miniature schnauzers, miniature poodles, and cocker spaniels are more prone to inflammation in the pancreas. However, larger breeds and older dogs can also be affected.

While there are many possible causes of inflammation of the pancreas, one of the most common causes is poor nutrition. Dog owners who give their dog high-fat food (like bacon or bacon grease) in large quantities open the door to a plethora of health issues associated with the disease.

According to PetMD, obesity, lipemia (high levels of fat in the blood), and trauma to the pancreas are additional factors linked to pancreas inflammation. Symptoms of include:

• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Bloat
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Depression
• Increased heart rate
• Diarrhea
• Lowered potassium levels

Fortunately, this is treatable with treatments such as potassium supplements and fluid therapy. Even better, its preventable. Play it safe and keep dogs away from fatty food like bacon. Its not worth the potential health problems.

If you suspect your dog might have an inflamed pancreas, talk to your vet as soon as possible.

How Bacons High Salt Content Affects Your Dog

The excess salt content in bacon is potentially poisonous to dogs. Dogs that eat too much food with high levels of salt content are put at risk for getting salt poisoning, also known as sodium ion poisoning.

ThePet Poison Helplinelists the following signs of salt poisoning:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy
• Incoordination
• Tremors
• Coma
• Seizures
• Excessive thirst or urination

In addition to bacon, human foods with high levels of salt (e.g., pretzels, chips, seasoned nuts, lunch meat) should not be shared with your dog. High-sodium foods can cause an even more dangerous and life-threateningcondition called bloat.

Due to the high salt content in foods like bacon and ham, dogs may become dehydrated, prompting them to drink an excessive amount of water in an effort to satiate their incredible thirst. Their stomachs are filled with too much fluid and gas, which puts pressure on organs, causing the stomach to twist. Bloat can be fatal and typically calls for an emergency trip to the vet for surgery.

Physical and behavioral indicatorsof bloat include restlessness, swollen stomach, pale gums, anxiousness, drool, excessive pacing, and dry vomiting.

If your dog is a living vacuum who gobbles down his meals, swallowing a great deal of air in the process, try feeding your dogs meals in a slow feeder or puzzle toy to avoid causing bloat. Measure out smaller servings of water if your dog is a gulper.

If your dog exhibits the aforementioned symptoms of salt poisoning, contact your vet or the 24-hour Animal Poison Control Center at 855-764-7661. If bloat is a concern, dont hesitate to take your dog to the emergency clinic.

What AboutRaw Pork?

Along with not giving your dog bacon, its not advisable to add raw pork to your dogs diet as it wont do your dogs stomach any favors. Raw bacon and raw pork products put your pooch at risk for trichinosis, a parasitic disease caused by a roundworm parasite known as Trichinella spiralis. PedMD lists the followingsymptoms of trichinosis:

• Gastrointestinal upset
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Inflammation of the muscles
• Muscle pain
• Muscle stiffness

This parasite causes discomfort by working its way into the muscles, resulting in inflammation, pain, and stiffness. So, if you have a package of uncooked bacon laying around while you prepare breakfast, keep it out of reach from any curious pup with a knack for getting into trouble.

That said, accidents happen. What do you do if your doggie snuck some of that bacon off the counter? Be prepared for your furry friend to experience some difficult bowel movements or even vomiting over the next 24 hours and check with your vet for good measure.

Healthier Low-Fat Alternatives to Bacon

If youwant to give your dog people food without worrying about gastrointestinal problems, its imperative that you learn what is safe to share.

Along with safe people foods lettuce,peanut butter, or plain boiled chicken, for example consider adding aprobiotic dog treatto your dogs diet. Because of the sensitive nature of a dogs digestive tract, its hard to know which food is going to cause stomach upset without some trial-and-error. Thats where probiotics come in.

Probiotic dog treats promote healthy digestion and intestinal health to keep your pooch regular, healthy, and happy. Where a condition like pancreatitis inhibits digestive enzymes from moving along, probiotics help enhance your dogs health by introducing good bacteria and digestive enzymes into your dogs system.

Can Dogs Eat Bacon? Absolutely Not

At the end of the day, eating fatty, high-sodium food like bacon is too much for any dogs stomach to handle. Play it safe and stick to regular dog food and dog treats rather than testing their limits with greasy people food.

As always, consult your veterinarian before introducing new foods to your pup and keep a close eye on them to monitor their response.