While savoring a plate full of sausages, have you ever wondered, “Can dogs eat sausage?”
Well, it’s always best to avoid fatty, oily, and salty food. And sausage as a meat ticks all these boxes.
So, can your dog really eat sausage?
Come, let’s find out!
Can Dogs Have Sausage?
Yes, they can.
But hey, don’t give them plenty of it. And don’t make it their primary source of protein.
Of course, a little bit of sausage on special occasions is OKAY.
Sausage is processed meat. It is high in saturated fat, salt, fat, and all the things that can do harm to your dog if you give them regularly. So basically, it doesn’t fall under the category of healthy food. And it’s not good for both you and your furry buddy – no matter how yummy they are.
There are many brands that produce sausage. And not all brands use the same ingredients in them. There can be differences in the kind of meat they use and the flavorings they add. Always check the label of the sausage while buying. This way, you can be sure that there isn’t any ingredient that is toxic for your canine companion.
There is limited nutritional content in sausages. They are meaty, but still, they aren’t an excellent source of protein. If you compare the sausage brands, you’ll see that many brands offer sausages with less than fifty percent pork in them.
Can Dogs Have Sausage Meat?
Well, there’s not much difference between sausage meat and sausage. So, the same rule applies here too.
In sausage meat, the amount of pork might be higher. However, it still has high salt and fat. And it comes loaded with added flavorings and sulfites. These aren’t good for your four-legged friend – if they have it regularly in their diet.
Did you know that raw sausage meat can have pathogens such as Salmonella and E. Coil?
Consuming these can make your beloved pup sick.
You don’t want that, right?
Can Dogs Have Flavored Sausage?
Do you like to eat liver sausage, chorizo, salami, garlic sausage, or flavored sausage?
Then have them yourself.
Don’t share these with your furry buddy just because they are staring at you with their sad, big eyes.
Now, flavored sausages come with the exact high amounts of salt and fat – just as regular breakfast sausages. Also, the chances are that they’ll have ingredients that are harmful to your favorite pup. For example, they can contain onions, garlic, or nutmeg.
Dogs are quite sensitive when it comes to having food with spices and seasonings. So, if you give them some highly flavored sausage, they might suffer from an upset stomach.
Can Dogs Have Sausage Rolls?
Again, the exact reason why your dog shouldn’t eat sausages. The meat in sausage rolls is highly processed. They are full of salt and fat. And the pastry will do nothing but add calories to your pup’s diet.
However, sausage rolls are not toxic to dogs. So, sharing a tiny amount with them will not do any harm. But refrain from giving them an entire sausage roll.
Can Dogs Have Sausage As a Treat?
Now, sausages are not healthy, but they’re not toxic for your pup too. So if you give them only a minimal amount on special occasions, it’ll not do any harm.
So yes, your dog can have sausage as a treat.
BUT, don’t give them sausage bits when they do well in their regular training session.
Why?
Because, that way, they’ll end up eating loads of sausages regularly.
There may be times when you want to give them a high-value reward, save sausage treats for those occasions.
Can Dogs Have Garlic Sausage?
When you’re getting a garlic sausage, know that it has onions and chives in it. No doubt, these are poisonous to dogs.
But,
Did you know that garlic is five times more poisonous than these?
Onions are toxic for some breeds of Japanese dogs, including Akita.
Garlic has the paw-tential to damage the red blood cells. If the red blood cells get ruptured, it can make your dog suffer from anemia.
Some symptoms of anemia in your pup include:
- Lethargy
- Pale gums
- Intolerance to exercise
- Increased heart rate
Is Sausage Bad for Your Dog?
We’ve already mentioned that sausage is not a healthy food option for both humans and dogs. Now, while you can have some now and then, your dog shouldn’t.
Dogs are smaller than you, and they do not need many calories.
If you feed them an entire sausage, it can use up a lot more than their recommended fat and calories for the day.
A dog weighing 15kg needs about 640 to 800 calories a day. But, of course, if your dog weighs less than 15kg, they’ll need much fewer calories.
There can be about 111 to 176 calories in a single pork sausage.
See? Giving your pup a whole sausage can take up a lot of their daily calories. And that too in just one snack.
Sausages have high salt and fat content. Now, looking at a renowned brand, there’s 3.4g of saturated fat, 8g of fat, and 0.93g of salt in one sausage.
It’s true that your dog does need some salt and fat in their diet, but the source should be healthy. Also, the amount of it shouldn’t be so high. For example, if your pup weighs 15kg, they shouldn’t have salt more than 200mg in a day. But when they’re having an entire sausage, they’re exceeding the amount.
If your pup has health issues that can affect their kidneys, liver, or heart, they should follow a diet that’s low in sodium. So, to be on the safe side, don’t give them sausages.
Processed meats such as hot dogs, bacon, and sausages are known carcinogens. This means that they can cause cancer. Just as humans, dogs can suffer from this deadly disease too. In every four dogs, one dog is diagnosed with cancer. And when it comes to older dogs, every one dog in two dogs is affected by this deadly disease.
To keep your furry buddy healthy and free from this disease, make sure not to feed them processed meats regularly.
Nutmeg is an ingredient in sausage and sausage meats of many brands. Unfortunately, this nutmeg is toxic to your pup.
However, the amount of nutmeg that’s there in a sausage isn’t enough to do any severe harm to your dog. But still, this is another reason why you shouldn’t feed your pup sausage meat and sausage regularly.
Onions and garlic, both in powdered or fresh form, can be there in a sausage. These ingredients are harmful to your dog. However, feeding a tiny amount of it might not do any immediate harm to your dog.
But, if you give your dog tiny pieces of sausages for a few days, it can lead to serious health problems such as damage to their red blood cells and anemia.
Different Types of Sausages
If you go to the supermarket, you’ll find so many kinds of sausages on the shelves. As the parent of a pup, you need to keep these sausages away from your dog.
#1. Breakfast sausage: Can your dog eat it?
The short answer is “no.”
Don’t give breakfast sausages to your dog to eat. They are full of fat and contain seasonings such as pepper and sage.
Did you know that breakfast sausages sometimes come with maple syrup and cured bacon?
And these are unhealthy for your dog.
#2. Bratwurst sausage: Can your dog eat it?
Don’t give your pup bratwurst sausage. This kind of sausage is a favorite among the Germans. However, it’s not healthy for your dog.
And,
Did we tell you that there are over 40 different types of bratwurst sausages available?
#3. Vienna sausage: Can your dog eat it?
There are excessive amounts of sodium and unhealthy fat in Vienna sausage. Also, this type of sausage often contains spices that have the potential to cause harm to your dog.
If you regularly feed your pup a large amount of Vienna sausage, they might suffer from digestion issues, kidney damage, and even pancreatitis.
Symptoms Your Dog Can Have After Eating Sausage
Your dog can have the following symptoms after eating sausages:
- Diarrhea
- Lack of enthusiasm and energy
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
What if Your Dog Gets Sick After Eating Sausages?
Did your dog eat too much sausage?
Are they showing symptoms of being sick such as nausea or vomiting?
Make them drink water frequently. This will provide them with the required hydration. And it’ll not let them be dehydrated from all the spices and salt that are there in the sausages.
Now, don’t give them food for the next 24 hours. Let the sausage pass. You need to give your dog’s stomach enough time so that it can settle.
Always keep an eye on your dog’s bowl of water. Never let it be empty. Whenever you see that the water level has decreased, make sure to fill that up. You don’t want your beloved pup to be thirsty when you’re not around.
The dehydration will stay for a couple of days. So pay attention to your pup’s water intake.
If the signs of sickness are still there, call your vet immediately.
If your pup has garlic poisoning, at times, the symptoms don’t show up immediately. Instead, it gets delayed for a couple of days.
After How Long Will a Dog Get Sick once They Eat a Sausage?
This depends primarily on the amount of sausage your dog ate. If they have eaten a lot, they can get sick in minutes. However, if they have eaten just a tiny bit, the chances are that they’ll not get sick.
Healthier Meat Alternatives to Sausage for Your Dog
Have you cooked Vienna sausages for yourself and thinking of sharing it with your furry buddy?
DON’T!
Instead, give them sausage-like dog treats.
These are made especially for dogs. By eating these, your pup will not be susceptible to heart problems and weight issues. Give them in small amounts. These are filled with different types of nutrients that your dog needs. You can even give your pup whole lean meat such as chicken, fish, and turkey. It’s better to feed them whole meats.
Why?
Because whole meats have no added salt, fat, and flavorings, they have more nutritional value and are less processed. Your pup will love them!
Can Dogs Eat Bacon?
Bacon is extremely rich and high in fat and salt content. It is also processed meat. Just like sausages, bacon is a known carcinogen. And it’s linked to cancer. So, to give you a healthy life, refrain from giving them bacon.
Feed Bones to Your Dog
Give your pup meaty raw bones, including raw lamp flaps and raw lamb ribs. These can help them maintain good health. Also, your dog will have healthy teeth and gums.
Make sure that the bones you feed your dog are raw. Don’t give them cooked bones.
Why?
Well, the splinters can cause digestive blockage and deadly internal damage to your dog.
Your dog shouldn’t be able to take the entire piece of bone in their mouth. It should be big enough. Don’t give them T-bones, big marrow bones, big knucklebones, bones sawn lengthwise, and slice bones because these bones can hurt their teeth.
Monitor your canine companion constantly when they have bones.
Give Your Dog These Veggies Instead of Sausages
Vegetables are a healthier alternative to sausages. So give your dog these veggies so that they can get all the essential nutrients in their everyday diet.
- Kale
Kale is an excellent food option for dogs with heart issues. This vegetable aids in maintaining a healthy heart.
- Green beans
Dogs are very fond of green beans, unlike human children. So if your dog is overweight and struggling to maintain a healthy weight, feed them green beans. They’ll love this veggie treat!
- Zucchini
Having fiber-rich food is essential for your dog. Adding zucchini to their diet will fulfill that requirement. It tastes great too.
- Pumpkin
Pumpkin is rich in fiber. Give pumpkin to your dog as it’ll help in their bowel movement.
- Carrots
Carrots are full of vitamin c. You can feed your dog carrot both raw and cooked. Raw carrots can help in cleaning your pup’s teeth.
Diet Tips for Your Dog
- Go for grain-free dog food. They are premium and perfect for dogs with allergies.
- However, dogs with no such health issues can have them too.
- The dietary requirements of your beloved pup change with age.
- So when you go food shopping for your pup, choose a formula that’s meant for your pup’s age only.
- If you have concerns regarding your dog’s oral health, try to give them dry food. It’ll be more beneficial to them.
- However, if your dog gets dehydrated easily, give them wet food. The water content of the food will fulfill your pup’s water needs. Also, it’ll be easier to eat.
- Instead of giving your pup processed food, stick to giving them veggies and fruits such as apples and pears. Your pup will love to have them as treats.
Follow these tips and give sausage and bacon to your dog as little as possible. Trust us; your furry friend will have a happier and healthier life!
FAQs
Yes, a dog can eat sausages. As long as sausages are unseasoned and consumed in small amounts, dogs can have them. Since sausages have a good amount of salt and fat, ensure that they do not have sausages in large quantities.
Yes, you can give your dog a piece of sausage. But we recommend that the sausage be cooked and cut into small pieces, or they may get lodged in your dog’s throat and choke them.
No, dogs should not eat breakfast sausages. Although breakfast sausages are made from pork, they are not the best choice of protein for dogs. They contain a good amount of fat, salt, and added seasoning, which are harmful to dogs. However, a small bite won’t harm your dog much.
Yes, you can give cooked bacon to your dog if they don’t have added salt, preservatives, and a lot of fat content. Since raw sausages can contain parasites, which can harm your dog, cooked bacon is a better option. But ensure that your dog eats it in moderation, even if it is cooked.
No, dogs should not eat sausages from pizzas. Pizza sausages also have a high content of salt and fat. Consuming these can make your dog fat and can also result in increasing the blood pressure of your dog.
No, dogs can’t eat beef sausages. In addition to the high-salt content and pure animal fat, beef sausages can contain sulfur-based preservatives. Consuming these can cause thiamine deficiency and Vitamin B1 deficiency, which can prove fatal to your dog.
No, dogs should not eat raw sausage. In addition to high salt and fat content, raw sausages may also have parasites. Consuming raw sausages which have parasites can cause the serious condition of trichinosis among dogs.
No, dogs should not eat Italian sausages. Italian sausages often have seasoning like garlic powder and onion powder, apart from having substantial salt. These ingredients are toxic for dogs and can lead to anemia.
Besides, Italian sausages can also have red peppers, which may also upset your dog’s stomach. It can cause indigestion, bloating, gas, and diarrhea in dogs.
No, dogs should not eat sausage rolls. Sausages are processed meat and may also contain lots of salt and fat, and the additional pastry adds to the calorific value of sausage rolls. So, these are not the best option for dogs, but a small portion won’t harm them.
Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.