Is pork good for dogs

Can Dogs Eat Pork?

We all know that dogs love to eat meat and that high-quality meat is a fabulous source of protein and healthy fats. Yet people often ask us (and the internet, it seems):Can dogs eat pork?

Its understandable pork is, in a way, more complex than some other meats, particularly when it comes to thehealth of your dog.

To find out more about if, how, when and why dogs can eat pork, we spoke to Braeden Ruud, Co-Founder and CEO of5-star-ratedRaised Right. This is what he told us.

Can dogs eat pork?

If fed the right way, pork is a nutritious protein source that is particularly helpful for dogs with allergy issues because pork is considered by many to be a novel protein. Veterinarians often recommend pork for dogs with allergies as its less likely to cause an allergic reaction when compared to other protein sources.

Some companies likeRaised Rightare aware of how helpful pork can be for dogs with allergies and this is why they offer limited-ingredient recipes with pork as the protein source.

Are there any risks with dogs eating pork?

With that said, we dont want you to confuse a complete and balanced dog food with different types of highly processed pork that are prepared for humans like bacon and ham. When were in the kitchen preparing meat for us humans to eat, we often add salt and a variety of seasonings. Too much salt and certain ingredients commonly found in spices like onion powder are very dangerous for dogs so you need to be careful on what table scraps you feed to your dog.

Why are people worried about pork?

The main reason people are worried about pork is because of trichinosis. Raw pork can potentially contain the parasite called trichinella, which can cause the parasite infection known as trichinosis. To avoid this all you need to do is make sure the pork is cooked properly.

According to the USDAs FSIS Compliance Guideline, theres variety of time and temperature combinations that eliminate trichinella from pork, but the simplest is to cook the pork to an internal temperature of 144 Degrees F (62.2 Degrees C) because once this temperature is reached trichinella is instantly eliminated.

To be on the safe side, we cook all of our recipes to 162 F and we test every single batch for E.coli, listeria, and salmonella because they are killed at 160 F so if these pathogens pass the lab safety test we know there is no risk of trichinosis as the trichinella parasite is killed at a much lower temperature (144 F), which makes it pointless to test for trichinosis.

We have never had a pet contract trichinosis from our food as we have a hold release program where we dont ever ship our food unless it passes the lab safety test. For transparency, we post the test results of every batch on our website for everyone to see.

Heres a chart showing the various time & temperature combinations listed in theUSDAs FSIS Compliance Guideline:

Can dogs eat sausages?

Pork sausage is high in fat, salt, and is usually processed with a variety of seasonings that arent safe for your dog. If youre making the sausage yourself from scratch and dont add any salt or seasonings then you can give some to your dog as a treat in moderation.

Can dogs eat ham?

Processed ham is very high in sodium and too much sodium can cause a variety of health issues for dogs. Symptoms can include diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. In more serious cases, too much sodium can cause seizures, comas, and kidney damage so it would be wise to avoid feeding processed ham to your dog.

Can dogs eat bacon?

With how processed bacon is, its not a good idea to feed too much of it to dogs because bacon usually contains high amounts of salt. Bacon is also very high in fat, which can cause indigestion.

Can dogs eat pulled pork?

Plain pork thats cooked properly is safe for dogs to eat just as long as there arent any seasonings or spices added to it. Also, make sure youre not adding any barbecue sauce to the pulled pork as its only safe to feed to your dog if its completely plain.

Can Dogs Eat Pork?

Your dog can eat pork as long as there is no seasoning, sauces, condiments, onions or other ingredients that can be potentially toxic. Pork has a high fat content, which is why its better suited for treat time every once in a while than added to your dogs diet as a staple. If in doubt, always check with your vet before making pork a regular addition to your dogs diet.

Can dogs eat raw pork?

It is not recommended for dogs to eat raw pork. Raw or undercooked pork meat might contain trichinella parasites which can infect both dogs and humans, and theres also the risk of contamination with a range of harmful bacteria. For these reasons, its always best to cook pork before handing it over to your dog.

Although infections with trichinella are rare, the disease can be serious. If your pet has managed to get their paws on a piece of raw pork, look out for the following signs:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Stiffness

Get in touch with your vet if you notice one or more of the symptoms above.

Can dogs eat pork bones?

Dogs love to chew on bones, so its likely that youll be deeply appreciated by your canine friend if you throw a pork bone in their direction at dinner time. However, pork bones arent the best choice for a dog treat. Cooked pork bones are fragile, meaning that small pieces can easily splinter off and get stuck in your pets throat or damage their mouth or other internal organs. Raw pork bones are less brittle, but theres still a risk of splintering and a range of other problems, so its not recommended to feed them. Find out more about the risks of feeding bones to your dog here.

If your dog loves a good chew, there are many specially-formulated dog dental chews they can have. Theyre just as tasty as the pork bone theyre craving and much safer to give.

Can dogs eat bacon?

If the smell of sizzling bacon gets your dogs attention like nothing else, its important not to give in and feed them too much of this tasty meat. Keep in mind that bacon not only has lots of flavour, but also plenty of fat which might prove too much for your pets stomach to handle.

An upset tummy is not the only concern when it comes to feeding bacon to your dog. The high fat content in bacon means it can be added to the list of possible causes for dog pancreatitis, a life-threatening condition.

As well as its high fat content, bacon is also high in salt, which can be unhealthy for your dog in excess. So if you want to feed bacon to your dog, only reserve a very small amount as a treat perhaps for training. Be careful to avoid fatty cuts, and if your vet has suggested your pet could have particular problems with fatty foods due to their risk profile or history of previous disease, its worth asking their advice first before feeding bacon to your dog.

Can dogs eat ham?

Much like bacon, ham is high in salt, and it also has a relatively high fat content. Ham therefore carries the same risks as bacon, so again its only appropriate in very small amounts as a training treat. Remember that your dog does not need either ham or bacon for nutritional value, and be careful not to overdo it because salty, fatty, or preserved meats can be unhealthy for your dog.

Can dogs eat cooked pork?

Yes, dogs can eat cooked pork in moderation, but just like with any other type of meat, its best to keep things simple when preparing a meaty treat for your pet. Save your condiments for the family dinner, and give your canine companion a plain and simple piece just a little bit as a treat.

Are Pork Chops Good For Dogs? The Complete Guide

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Can Dogs Eat Pork? When Is Pork Bad for Dogs?

Can dogs eat pork? This question might sound absurd for some because for them the answer is a resounding, Yes! But, is it really, Yes without a shadow of a doubt?

Lets take a look at every angle of this question so next time, when someone asks us if dogs can eat pork, we can give them a clearer answer with full conviction.

Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not carnivores, but instead omnivores. Their bodies take nourishment both from meats and plants.

However, we could not disregard the fact that their teeth, digestive system, and behavior are designed as if they were only made to accept meat as a primary protein source and as their main source of nutrients per se.

So, we couldnt blame anyone for raising eyebrows when confronted with the question, Can dogs eat pork?

Can Dogs Eat Pork?

Technically, yes, but the discussion doesnt end there. Pork is not toxic to dogs, so you can give it to your pup. However, certain conditions must be met to keep your dog healthy and safe as he chews on the cuts of meat with gusto.

To start, its best for your dog to eat cooked pork without added salt, spices, garlic powder, onion powder, and other ingredients that can be harmful to him.

Keep his cooked pig meat plain and simple. Reserve the bells and whistles of a gourmet pork dish to yourself. You deserve such a sumptuous treat.

Nonetheless, were not saying that your pup doesnt deserve to be pampered with seasoned pork products like bacon, ham, and pork chop. You may feel guilty for not allowing your dog to taste these fatty and mouthwatering human foods, but you should not.

After all, dogs are not fond of these spices and flavors and they cant even taste some of these ingredients that we usually add to our dishes.

Instead, dogs are drawn to the fatty and meaty flavor of the meat. So, dont feel bad for giving your pooch plain and unseasoned cooked pork for dinner.

Whether you believe it or not, your canine companion loves it. And besides, you can also see it to yourself just by observing how fast he finishes his homemade dog food.

When Is Pork Bad for Dogs?

Generally speaking, plain pork is safe for dogs. In fact, they are way safer than many other foods that often cause adverse and toxic reactions to dogs, such as raw fish or macadamia nuts.

Nonetheless, its not a reason at all for us dog owners to be complacent because again adding pork to dog's diet has some risks.

Overall, its not safe to feed your dog pork when it is uncooked, soaked and drizzled with additives, and mixed with toxic ingredients.

Also, its not advisable to feed dogs cooked pork bones, pork cuts, and parts with lots of fats, as well fatty and salty pork products like bacon and sausages.

If you are feeding your dog pork or a specific cut or portion of pig meat (such as pig ears) for the first time, make sure to only give him a small amount.

You cant just put pork chops on your pups bowl and call it a day. And of course, dont forget to closely monitor your pup because there are always risks involved when you feed your dog something that is not part of his regular diet.

Also, theres the risk that your pup may show some allergic reactions, or he may exhibit bothersome symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea.

If you observe anything unusual, dont hesitate to contact your vet immediately, or better yet go to the nearest veterinarian so proper assessment and medical intervention can be given right away if needed.

As for raw or undercooked pork, its not recommended both for humans and dogs because it may be infested with trichinella parasites that can cause stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and other uncomfortable side effects.

To be fair though with raw pork, trichinella spiralis larvae can also be found in other uncooked or undercooked meats. This can cause a parasite infection called trichinosis.

This condition also occurs in humans, but there are more cases in dogs. So, we cant use the excuse that a dogs digestive system is tougher than ours.

Symptoms of trichinosis that you should watch out for include an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, muscle inflammation, stiffness, and lethargy. These symptoms dont usually appear in all dogs. Basically, those with a weaker immune system suffer the most.

Next, pork becomes bad for your dog when it is seasoned and mixed with toxic ingredients. Weve mentioned this earlier, and its just right to say it again as repetition can help with the retention of information. Again, you cant use BBQ sauce for your dogs pork meat nor add garlic, onion, salt, spices, and other salty ingredients.

Moreover, there are pork products that are high in salt content and fat, such as bacon, sausages, and ham. You cant feed processed meats to your dog not just because they are fatty and salty, but also for the fact that they contain carcinogens that can cause cancer.

Eating huge amounts of these fatty and salty pork products can also be too much for your pups digestive system to process in one go.

The risk for indigestion is high, and it can cause bloating and an upset stomach. Eating huge portions of these pork products regularly can also lead to weight gain, weight-related complications, pancreatitis, and other fatal health issues.

Finally, while its advisable to cook pork meat first before giving it to your pup, you cant do the same thing with the bones.

Any cooked bone can splinter inside your dogs body and may pose a risk for choking and/or intestinal obstruction. If you want to feed your pup bones, stick to the ones that you can buy from the pet store.

Can You Feed Your Dog Raw Pork Meat?

As mentioned earlier, its not safe to feed your dog raw pork meat. How about the raw pork that is used for a raw food diet?

Well, we figured that youll ask. While both types of meat are raw, the pork that is used in a raw diet has been treated for this type of consumption.

This typically involves freezing the raw pork meat for a certain time to effectively kill those nasty parasites. Standard raw pig meat or even high-quality pork that you can buy from the grocery or a supplier didnt go through the same process of deparasatization.

What Are Some Safer Meat Alternatives for Dogs?

Pork isnt toxic to dogs, and other meats such as beef, rabbit, and lamb are more likely to cause allergic reactions in dogs. But still, we cant undermine the fact that there are also safer meat options that you can give your dog, instead of pork.

At the top of the list is chicken, which doesnt just provide an extra source of protein in dogs, but is also easier to digest, and is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, amino acid, and fats.

Just like with pork, vets recommend feeding your dog with plain, unseasoned, and cooked chicken meat, especially when they are experiencing gastrointestinal problems.

Final Thoughts

Pork meat can be bad or good to your dog depending on how you serve it to him. And again, when feeding pig meat to your dog, it is best to cook it first.

And by cooking it at home, you can also ensure that you are giving your pup the right kind and cut of meat. Below are some suitable parts that you can give to your dog:

• Lean pork cuts
• Livers and hearts, which are a great source of vitamins and minerals
• Tongue, trachea, tail