My dog ate some chorizo… will they be ok? Let’s talk about what chorizo is, and if it’s a safe snack for dogs.
Do you love cooking up some tasty chorizo? Or have you had some at a friends’ house or in a restaurant? Maybe you’re thinking about sharing some of your tasty food with your hungry pup. But wait… Is chorizo safe for dogs? First, let’s talk about what exactly chorizo is.
What is Chorizo?
There are both Mexican chorizos and Spanish chorizos… and no, they aren’t the same. They have their own seasonings, style, and flare. Chorizo in general is a highly seasoned pork—sometimes ground, and sometimes chopped. The Mexican version usually comes raw and uncooked, while the Spanish version is usually smoked.
They are both very spicy. “Mexican chorizo is typically seasoned with vinegar and chile peppers, while Spanish chorizo is made with garlic and pimentón (Spanish smoked paprika, either sweet or hot), which gives it its deep brick-red color and smoky flavor.”
Now that you know what chorizo is, and what all it contains, let’s talk about whether or not those things are safe for your pup to indulge in.
Is Chorizo Safe for Dogs?
Sadly, chorizo is not a good snack for your precious pup. First of all, this is a very fatty meat—while a small portion once or twice might not hurt—over time it will cause your dog to have obesity issues, as well as problems with diabetes, heart disease, joint pain, and much more.
If your dog just snags a small piece that fell on the floor, they should be fine… other than some stomach upset like diarrhea or vomiting. But be aware if they did eat a larger piece. Not only is the fattiness unhealthy for your dog, but so is the saltiness. And the worst part is that the seasonings could be toxic. A lot of chorizo has garlic and onion cooked into it, and both of these are toxic for dogs.
On top of all that, spicy foods are harmful for dogs because they cause stomach upset like diarrhea, vomiting, and flatulence.
Is it Okay to Give a Dog Cooked Sausage?
Sausage isn’t recommended for your dog either. But it’s not quite as bad as chorizo. Sausage is still fatty and salty, which aren’t healthy for dogs. But depending on the type of sausage and the seasonings used, your dog would be fine with eating a small bite.
Just make sure it’s not spicy, and doesn’t contain onion or garlic. And remember, even if your dog is begging for it, it doesn't mean it’s the healthiest or best choice to feed your dog.
Can a Dog Get Sick from Eating Sausage?
If the sausage is raw, it could contain E. coli, so it’s important to make sure the sausage is completely cooked through before letting your pup taste a bite.
Again, if they accidentally ate a tiny bit of raw sausage, they will probably just get an upset stomach. But if your dog was a little extra sneaky, and happened to eat the entire package of raw sausage, it’s time to contact your vet.
Can Dogs Eat Bacon?
What about bacon? In the U.S., we are pretty obsessed with bacon. Bacon for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And even bacon in our desserts! So of course, everyone wants to know if it’s ok to share their bacon with their furry best friend.
The same concept that applies to sausage, applies to bacon. If your dog snags a tiny piece that falls on the floor, they should be fine. Or they might suffer from some stomach upset like diarrhea and vomiting. But you really shouldn’t be feeding your dog any bacon.
Bacon is high in fat and salt, which are both very unhealthy for your dog. And think about all that grease! None of that is good for your pup’s stomach.
“Eating a large amount can cause pancreatitis, which can be fatal.” If your dog accidentally consumes a large amount of bacon, especially raw bacon, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
Choose the Best for Your Best Friend
Let’s think about our dogs’ overall health and wellbeing, and how much that outweighs the momentary joy of eating bacon, sausage, or chorizo. Even if we have trouble controlling our own cravings and binge eating, we can much more easily control the foods our dogs eat.
And once you start feeding them healthier snacks like carrots, celery, apples, or bananas… They will realize just how much they love the taste of these nutritious, safe snacks and treats.
For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi.com.
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