Is it bad to eat hot dogs every day
How Bad Are Hot Dogs For You, And How Many Are Too Many?
As summer begins to wind down, many of us are working to make the most of every cookout and barbecue before the chill of fall. Enter hot dogs, an admittedly delicious staple of summertime thats not that good for us. Packed with sodium, fat and nitrates (which are linked to cancer), hot dogs dont exactly have the best reputation.
But exactly how many hot dogs is too many? We talked with nutritionists, and heres what they had to say about hot dogs and some healthier alternatives.
Just how unhealthy are hot dogs, anyway?
The short answer, sadly, is that a traditional hot dog think a ballpark hot dog is very unhealthy.
The traditional ballpark dogs tend to be very high in sodium (over 500 mg in one hot dog), which can contribute to high blood pressure, explained Jenna Stangland, a registered dietician and co-founder of A4 Health whos also the team dietitian for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The quality of the meat can make a hot dog unhealthy, and this is because many times hot dogs are not 100% beef, chicken or turkey they are processed meats and may contain what is called MSM.
MSM is mechanically separated meat, Stangland explained, and this means the hot dog is a combination of meat, veins, tendons and skin.
Processed meats may also have added nitrates, which, when combined with protein, can form a compound that has been linked to certain cancers, Strangland continued. You want to look for a 100% meat (or veggie) hot dog that is not processed, cured or with added fillers.
Another unhealthy component of the hot dog is fat, she said. Hot dogs can be high in saturated fat, and that is a fat that can increase risk of cardiovascular diseases.
If you love hot dogs and are going to eat them anyway, how many is too many?
Theres no specific number, but try to think of a traditional hot dog as a once in a while food instead of an everyday food.
I would say this is a once-in-a-while food that would fall into the once-a-month category, especially for people who have high blood pressure (hypertension) or are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, said Maggie Michalczyk, registered dietitian and founder of the blog Once Upon a Pumpkin.
Luckily, there are a handful of healthier hot dog options that you can feel comfortable eating more frequently, although still probably not every day.
There are absolutely ways to seek out a healthy dog and be able to enjoy a grilling night out, Stangland said. You want to look for an uncured hot dog without nitrates, 100% beef (grass-fed is even better), chicken, turkey or pork, and typically water listed as the next ingredient. You want to find a label with the sodium content below 450 mg and the saturated fat content as low as possible.
If you aim for a hot dog within those parameters that incorporates healthy toppings, its a way to enjoy hot dogs in moderation throughout the summer months. And while there are healthier hot dogs (or hot dog-like items), some of them are just as processed as traditional dogs so make sure you choose wisely.
Which hot dog options are the least unhealthy?
The Healthiest And Least Healthy Hot Dogs
For a chicken sausage choice, Applegate makes a great organic chicken sausage or Thin n Trim Gourmet chicken sausage, Stangland said. Both very lean choices and no processed meat, just 100% chicken.
For a plant-based dog, Strangland recommended Jack and Annies Applejack sausage, with whole ingredients including jackfruit. Plus theyre not overly high in sodium and still pack great flavor. Yves tofu dog is the lowest sodium out there and is another good plant-based option if you like tofu.
If youre thinking about totally abandoning hot dogs on a grilling night out, Strangland suggested other great grill choices: kabobs with chicken, or chicken or turkey sausage.
These are lean meats so you get far less fat, more high-quality protein and without fillers or preservatives, Stangland said. You could make a bun with an alternative protein choice such as seafood lobster roll or shrimp roll or a veggie dog by just stuffing the bun with beans, cabbage, onion and mustard. This would be another way to eliminate the saturated fat while still having a bun filled with delicious foods on the inside!
While you shouldnt have a traditional ballpark hot dog every day, having one once in a while is probably OK. And there are a lot of other great end-of-summer options.
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Can Dogs Eat Hot Dogs?
NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially people foods. What might be OK for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors, such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet.
Summer is the season of get-togethers and grillingand who can resist the begging face of an adorable pup at these gatherings? But is it OK if someone sneaks your dog a hot dog or if Fido steals one off the picnic table? Can dogs eat hot dogs safely?
Although no ingredients in hot dogs are inherently dangerous to dogs, there are good reasons they shouldnt be fed to your pup.
Are Hot Dogs Bad for Dogs?
Hot dogs dont generally contain anything that is toxic for dogs, but they also dont have much thats good for them, either. Most hot dogs are quite high in fat and may contain ingredients that arent good for your dog, such as:
To make matters worse, wieners are typically extremely high in salt, with some brands containing more than 500 mg per hot dog. For reference, a 33-pound dog only needs to consume about 200 mg of salt in an entire day, so a single hot dog is more than twice their daily needs.
And then theres the size of the hot dog to consider. Some dogs will try to gulp down a hot dog whole, which can lead to choking.
Should You Use Hot Dogs as Training Treats?
Some people like to use hot dogs as training aids, and there is something to be said for a high-value treat like this during a training session. However, there are a few guidelines to follow if youre going to reward your pup with hot dogs.
1. Keep It Plain
Only use cooked hot dogs with no added flavorings. Do not feed your dog raw hot dogs, as they are known to harbor bacteria in high numbers, which can make your dog sick.
Select a hot dog with only natural ingredients and with a minimum of preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors. And be sure to skip the extras, like the bun and condiments!
2. Cut It Up
Cut the hot dog into bite-sized pieces prior to the training session, (about -inch thick) and dont give your dog too many pieces during the training session.
On average, its likely safe to feed one -inch thick slice of hot dog per 15 pounds of dog. So, a 60-pound dog could have a total of 1 inch of cooked hot dog, cut into tiny pieces.
3. Make It an Occasional Treat
Using hot dogs should be reserved only for the occasional training sessionnot done daily! If you are looking for something special to use for training, consider pieces of cooked, unseasoned chicken breast or small pieces of cooked beef or pork.
Many commercial companies make special treats designed for training, too.
My Dog Ate a Hot Dog. What Do I Do?
If your pup snuck a hot dog off your plate, you might be wondering what to do now. Its important to watch your dog closely for any signs of gastrointestinal discomfort such as vomiting, diarrhea, excess gas, or abdominal cramping. If your dog seems particularly distressed, or if the problem lasts more than 1224 hours, contact your veterinarian for advice and treatment.
Additionally, if your dog shows any signs of chokingsuch as pawing at the mouth, having trouble breathing, and salivating heavilyseek immediate emergency care.
A healthy dog that steals a single hot dog is not likely to have any major problems, unless they ate multiple hot dogs. If your pet has any underlying health concerns (like if theyre prone to pancreatitis), contact your veterinarian right away.
What To Feed Your Dog Instead of Hot Dogs
So, if you find that puppy face totally irresistible at the family picnic, what can you feed your dog instead of hot dogs? Consider bringing along something to grill just for Fido, such as a portion of chicken breast or lean beef. Just keep the portion size small and look for cuts that are low in fat.
These treats should never be fried, but could be grilled, baked, or boiled and broken in tiny pieces and given as snacksbut be sure they are cooled before serving! Many dogs also like vegetables off the grill as well.
And if you dont feel like cooking for Fido, purchasing a special bag of meaty, freeze-dried treats to take along might fit the bill, too! Many healthier options than hot dogs exist that your dog will thank you for.
Featured Image: iStock/fotyma
WRITTEN BY
Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVPVeterinarian
Sandra Mitchell is a 1995 graduate of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine.Since graduation, she has worked in many fields...
Can Dogs Eat Hot Dogs?
Your dog would probably love to chow down on a hot dog. But is that a good idea? Hot dogs are full of ingredients that are toxic for dogs or unhealthy for them to consume.
The Problems With Hot Dogs
Many hot dogs contain ingredients that are not good for dogs, such as sodium nitrate, which has been linked to cancer, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and sugars or artificial sweeteners. Hot dogs also contain seasonings, such as garlic and onion powder, and these people foodscan be toxic to dogs.
The biggest problem with hot dogs, though, is salt. According to the National Academy of Sciences, a dog weighing 33 pounds only needs 200 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. The average hot dog contains more than 500 mg of sodium, so feeding your dog only one-half of a hot dog would probably put them way over their daily sodium limit.
Feeding a dog too much sodium can lead to dehydration. And over time, excess sodium can lead to high blood pressure, just as it can in humans. Hot dogs can also be a choking hazard, especially for big dogs that might try to swallow them without chewing them.
What if Your Dog Eats a Hot Dog by Accident?
If your dog snags a hot dog while youre not looking, dont panic. Just one will probably not cause harm. Your dog might get a bellyache or have some other digestive problems, like diarrhea, but this should pass within one day. You only need to call the vet if the diarrhea persists, or if your dog is vomiting with diarrhea, as this could lead to extreme dehydration.
Make sure that your dog has plenty of water available since all that salt in the hot dog will probably make them thirsty.
Alternatives to Hot Dogs
Because they contain so many added ingredients that are not healthy for dogs, hot dogs are not a good choice for your pooch. At a cookout, if you want to give your dog a safe treat, its best to give them some plain beef, pork, or chicken that has no salt or other seasoning on it. Just make sure to cut the meat up into bite-sized pieces.
