If you were ever cooking up a storm in your kitchen and your dog looked up at you with those big,puppy-dog eyes, would you give in and feed it ‘human food’? Can my dog eat raw sausage? What if that food was sausage? Are sausages safe for your dog?
Feeding raw sausages to your dog is not a good idea, and it can harm them. Read on to find a detailed explanation.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Sausages?
For humans, sausages are a temptation that most cannot ignore. Unfortunately, sausages are not as safe for dogs as they are for humans. All sausages, including breakfast sausage, Vienna sausage, and sausage in other forms—crumbles, links, or patties—are a no-go for dogs.
You might be asking yourself why raw sausage harms dogs when they can eat most other raw meats. The reason sausages are unsafe for dogs is that the ingredients found in sausage are not good for dogs. Sausage is a processed food made by combining ground meat, fat, spices (including garlic, which is toxic for dogs), and other harmful ingredients for your pup.
Sausage has a high amount of fat and salt, both of which are not good for your dog. They also contain onions, which are dangerous and toxic for your dog.
So, if your dog looks at you with puppy-dog eyes when you are frying sausages, you can give him a tiny bit, but that’s it!
Can My Dog Eat Raw Pork Sausage?
Raw meat is considered safe and healthy for dogs, but in the case of pork, that’s not true. Raw pork meat might contain the trichinella parasite. This parasite can infect both dogs and humans. Besides trichinella, there’s also the risk of a range of other harmful bacteria.
Besides the risk of parasites, sausages also contain other ingredients like onions, garlic, herbs, and spices that can be toxic to dogs. Therefore, it’s best to avoid giving your dog sausages.
Can My Dog Be Allergic to Sausage?
Dogs, like their human best friends, can have several allergies. Many of them are centered around their diet. Several dogs are allergic to chicken and other types of meat. Sausage can be on the list of allergens.
If you have fed your dog some sausage as a treat, be mindful of their behavior. Your dog might be allergic to sausage if it shows the following signs:
- Skin rash
- Difficulty breathing
- Is unable to digest the sausage
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Consult your vet immediately if you observe these signs in your dog after giving them a sausage.
Why is Sausage Unsafe for Dogs?
If you do feed your pooch sausage as a treat, be careful about the following:
- If your pet cannot tolerate processed foods or meat, it may have difficulty digesting sausage. Keep an eye on your dog after feeding it sausage.
- If you feed your dog raw or undercooked sausage, it may carry the parasite trichinella and several other bacteria. You may have to watch your dog carefully for the next several days to rule out any sickness.
- If you feed your dog sausages with other flavorings, such as onion, garlic, or other spices, it may develop sensitivity to these ingredients because they are not safe for dogs to eat.
- Giving your dog too many sausages can lead to indigestion, dehydration, weight gain, joint pains, and even heart problems because of the high amount of fats, salt, and sugar in sausage.
Therefore, if you feed your dog sausages out of love, you may be causing it many health issues.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Sausages?
Unfortunately, the answer remains the same: no! As is the case of pork sausage, chicken sausages are also high in salts, sugar, and fats, which are all health hazards for your precious pup. It’s much healthier if you fry a little piece of chicken for your dog rather than giving it a chicken sausage.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Sausage Casings?
Sausage casings are usually made of the intestines of cows, sheep, or lamb, making them non-toxic to dogs. If a dog eats the casing, it could move through its GI tract, or it could get lodged in its intestine, causing an obstruction. This could become very painful for your dog.
If your dog eats casing, it’s best that you feed it some pumpkin puree, which has a lot of fiber. The fiber could help move the casing through its digestive tract.
Can Puppies Eat Raw Sausage?
No! Puppies are still growing and developing, so their bodies need well-balanced, healthy, and nutritious puppy food. Their digestive tract cannot stand the unhealthy ingredients in sausage. If you want to offer your puppy a treat, try something healthier, like cheese or doggy treats.
Conclusion – Can Dogs Have Raw Sausage?
As a pet owner, you should always look out for your pets’ safety and well-being. You should never compromise on their health and nutrition, which is exactly why keeping the sausages for yourself is a much better choice than offering them to your dog… no matter how much it whines and pleads!
Giving sausage to your dog can prove toxic and lead to several diseases and health problems for your furry friend.
If you want to give sausage as a treat, your best bet is to cut it into tiny pieces so as not to feed your dog too much. However, there are lots of healthier options you could choose!
For more on ensuring your dog’s health, you might also be interested in knowing, Can I Walk My Dog 30 Minutes After Eating? Check out our comprehensive guide on this topic.
FAQs
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Raw Sausage?
If your dog ate just a single sausage or a small piece of sausage, then it’s safe. You can keep an eye on him in case he can’t digest it, vomits, or has diarrhea. But a small amount of sausage is not harmful to your dog.
Which Sausages Are Safe for Dogs?
Unseasoned and plain sausages are the ones to buy for your dog. But even these should be given in moderation because although they don’t contain spices or herbs, they are still high in fat.
Further Reading
To expand your knowledge on feeding your dog a raw diet and other related topics, check out the following resources: