Can dogs eat Spoiled meat without getting sick?
A dog may not immediately get sick after eating Spoiled meat, but that doesn’t mean that you can feed them rotten meat regularly. Symptoms of food poisoning may take up to 6 days to appear.
If your pooch ate meat that wasn’t excessively rotten, moldy, or smelly, or if it was just past its “best before” date, your pup might not get sick at all. It also depends on how much soiled meat your dog ate.
Raw, Undercooked or Spoiled Meat Can Cause Food Poisoning
Even though many may feed their dog raw or spoiled meat since their stomachs are very acidic, these items can still cause serious illness for your furry friends. Spoiled meat can contain harmful bacteria that will likely cause food poisoning in your dog, and if left untreated, could cause death.
An easy way to check if the meat is spoiled is to check it’s smell, texture, and color. When you smell the meat, the smell will be very strong and pungent if it is spoiled. The meat might be slimy or sticky to the touch, and the color will tend to look a little off from the original color.
Botulism
Though rare, botulism can be deadly in dogs. Botulism is caused by the toxin Clostridium botulinum type C. The symptoms can start within hours of consuming the toxin, or they can take a day or two to show up.
Botulism causes weakness in the limbs, starting with the hind legs, and eventually leads to paralysis. If left untreated, the paralysis can spread to the respiratory system, causing death (source).
Botulism is usually found in animal carcasses, but can also show up in raw and spoiled meat. Dogs will sometimes eat carrion if they come across it outside, especially if their dietary needs aren’t being met.
If botulism is suspected before the onset of symptoms, your vet can administer an anti-toxin that will prevent any further complications.
However, once symptoms occur, immediate supportive care is the only option. Getting your dog to the vet as soon as possible will increase the chances that it makes it through, with the average recovery taking a week or two (source).
Learn more about Botulism here:
Can Dogs Eat Spoiled Meat
It’s a fact that dogs have a different digestive process than humans. Dogs will eat dirt and poop without getting sick, so we can’t help but wonder, can dogs eat spoiled meat? While dogs have very acidic tummies, it’s not advisable to feed your pet with spoiled meat. The bacteria on the spoiled meat can wreak havoc on your dog’s stomach, which can lead to an emergency visit to the vet.