Dogs are carnivores, which means they need meat to survive. Many people assume that raw pork is safe for dogs, but that isn’t true. Raw pork and raw meat, in general, contain harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. coli that can make your dog very sick or even kill them if they eat enough of it.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Pork?
Raw pork is not safe for dogs and can make them very sick. This is because the parasite trichinella spiralis is often present in raw pork and can cause trichinosis in dogs.
The symptoms of this disease include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Inflammation
- Muscle stiffness and pain
Dogs who contract this parasite may die within a few weeks if not treated by medication or surgery. However, there is also an incubation period, so you may not even know they have it until it’s too late.
The best way to protect your dog from getting sick is to not give them raw pork at all. There are many other safe and nutritious foods that dogs can eat, so there is no need to take the risk. Instead, cook pork before giving it to your dog. This will kill any harmful bacteria and make it much safer for them to eat.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Pork?
Raw pork is dangerous for dogs. However, cooked pork does not have the parasite trichinella spiralis and can be fed to them on occasion as a treat or as a small component of their meals.
Start Out Small
When you’re first feeding your dog cooked pork, just give them a little bit at the start. This way, you can keep track of how the pork affects their digestion. If they seem to tolerate it well, you can gradually give them more over time.
Just like with any other new food, always introduce cooked pork slowly and watch for any signs of digestive upset. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you may want to avoid feeding them pork altogether.
Keep the Meat Plain
When cooking pork for your dog, keep it simple. Avoid adding spices or sauces that may contain ingredients your dog is not used to eating.
There are many common meat seasonings and spices that we use that aren’t healthy and may even be toxic to your pup. Some of these include garlic, onion, curry, and chili powder. Your dog may have additional specific allergies that you need to be aware of when seasoning pork as well.
Spicy seasonings of any kind may irritate your dog’s digestive system or even cause an allergic reaction. You can cook pork plain with just a little bit of oil to give it flavor without adding anything else. You can also boil it, broil it, or even bake it.
Don’t Feed Them the Bones
Pork bones are not safe for dogs to eat because they can splinter and injure their mouth or digestive system. You should never feed pork bones of any kind to your dog under any circumstances. Make sure to remove these bones before you serve pork to your dog as well.
Don’t Feed Your Dog Preserved Pork
Preserved pork, such as bacon or ham, isn’t safe for dogs to eat. This is because the preservatives used in these products can make your dog very sick.
They are also very salty, which may cause your dog to become dehydrated. Furthermore, the added nitrates can even lead to cancer in dogs over time.
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Cooked Pork
Cooked pork is safe for dogs to eat as long as it is plain and doesn’t contain any seasonings or sauces that are not safe for them. You should start out small by giving them a little bit at first and then gradually increasing the amount if they seem to tolerate it well.
When cooking pork for your dog, keep it simple and avoid adding anything else. Pork bones are not safe to eat at all because they can splinter and injure your pup’s mouth or digestive system. In addition, preservatives and high levels of sodium in bacon and ham may make them very sick over time.
You can try blending the pork with their regular food or feeding it to them as a treat. Keep an eye on your pup and their stool after the first few times you feed them pork to make sure they are tolerating it well.
Pork can be safe for dogs to eat if cooked plain and given in small amounts as a treat or special occasion food. Be careful when cooking the pork, since you don’t want to add any seasonings that your dog’s digestive system may not tolerate.
Trim off any fatty parts and remove the skin before cooking to make it healthier and easier for your dog to digest.
How Much Pork Can I Give My Dog?
Pork should not make up a large percentage of your dog’s diet. It is best to only give them cooked pork as an occasional treat or small component of their regular meals.
The maximum amount of cooked pork you can safely give your dog in one day is about one-quarter pound. This translates to about four ounces, which is the size of a small hamburger. You should never give your dog more than this amount in one day.
Pork additionally has a form of fat that is hard for a dog’s digestion, which can cause allergic reactions, inflammation, and issues with the pancreas. However, this shouldn’t be an issue in smaller amounts.
What Other Meats Can I Give My Dog?
There are many other safe and nutritious meats that dogs can eat. Some of these include beef, lamb, fish, chicken, turkey, bison, or venison. You should always cook any meat you feed your dog before giving it to them so as to remove the parasite trichinae spiralis from pork and kill E. coli bacteria in the other meats.
Chicken is a good choice because it is low in fat and easy for a dog to digest. You can prepare it by boiling it and keeping it plain and unseasoned. Plain chicken can be helpful for a dog that has pancreatitis, food allergies, or gastrointestinal problems.
Turkey is another good choice for dogs because it contains essential nutrients and minerals they need to stay healthy, such as vitamin B-12 which helps with their coat quality and skin health. It also provides iron, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, B-vitamin complex, and selenium. It is also an excellent source of protein for dogs to stay healthy.
What Happens if My Dog Ate Raw Pork?
If your dog eats raw pork, it may become very sick. This is because raw pork can contain harmful bacteria that can make them very ill.
Raw pork can also contain parasites that may cause your dog to become very ill if they are ingested. This includes trichinella spiralis, which is responsible for causing trichinosis in humans and animals alike.
Trichinosis causes muscle pain, fever, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, swelling of the face, and loss of appetite. In rare cases, it can even cause death if left untreated.
What Do I Do If My Dog Eats Raw Pork?
Some of the symptoms of food poisoning caused by eating raw pork include vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms after eating raw pork, you should take it to the veterinarian immediately.
Your vet will likely give the dog antibiotics in order to treat any potential bacterial infections they may have gotten. If parasites are suspected, the vet will likely prescribe medication to get rid of them. In some cases, a dog may need to be hospitalized for treatment.
If your dog has eaten a very small amount of pork and isn’t exhibiting any signs of sickness, you may be able to monitor them at home. However, if they start to show any signs of illness, take them to the vet immediately.