Can dogs eat pork safely, as a treat or part of their regular diet? Dogs are carnivores, but that doesn’t mean they can digest, eat or enjoy every kind of meat. Essential protein and fat can come from all sorts of animals or pre prepared doggy dinners. Today we’ll look at the different ways to feed pork to dogs, and methods of preparing it. We’ll share top tips for cooked or raw pork meat and bones, as well as common pork products like pork rinds, bacon, skin and even pulled pork. Raw or undercooked pork can continue parasites, and although cooked pork meat is not toxic or poisonous to dogs, the ingredients we prepare it with can be. Some spices and seasonings make pork products palatable, but are a dangerous part of a dog’s diet. Bones and parasites come with their own problems too. We’ll let you know what you can share safely with your canine companion, and what is best kept for your human friends.
We’ll also be answering some important questions. Such as: can dogs eat pork if it’s raw? And can dogs eat pork safely if it’s home-cooked and plain? Dogs are carnivores, so it’s natural to assume it’s safe and healthy to feed them meat. But raw or undercooked pork can carry a parasite that causes serious illness in dogs. And while dogs can eat cooked, unseasoned, pork in moderation. Too much can be bad for them.
Dogs are commonly viewed as carnivores, and therefore owners usually do not question feeding their furry friends meat. However, there are different health benefits and risks associated with feeding your dog different types of meat.
Dogs can eat cooked pork safely in moderate quantities. It provides them with quality protein and B12, both of which are necessary for the maintenance of healthy muscles and a number of other important bodily processes. Pork is made up of, well, pork! More specifically, pork is almost completely made out of protein. In fact, it contains about 81% protein, with the rest being fat.
Dogs do require a lot of quality protein in their diet. And most dog foods contain animal protein. However, chicken and beef tend to be the most common animal protein sources found in commercial dog food. Why is that? Despite all its nutrients, is pork bad for dogs?
Pork is actually safe for dogs in limited quantities. It provides some essential nutrients that dogs need and also has a high protein content. So, dogs can eat cooked, unseasoned pork. However, pork has a higher fat content than chicken or lean beef. And too much fat can cause digestive issues and health problems in dogs. While dogs can eat pork, they are better off eating leaner proteins as the main component of their diet.
Raw vs. Cooked Pork Bones
Pork bones, whether raw or cooked, are not recommended for dogs. Raw bones can be used when feeding your dog a raw diet, but they should be ground up with other meats to provide your pup with the nutrients they contain. Some dog owners do allow their dogs to eat raw bones during a raw feeding session, but it’s not without risk.
It doesn’t really matter what type of bone it is, either. A grilled BBQ pork rib can cause the same amount of damage as the rib from a pork chop. What really matters is the size of the bone that was consumed, and what size your canine companion is. Bigger dogs generally have bigger intestines and may be able to pass bones easier than smaller dogs. Either way, a raw bone does carry slightly fewer health risks than a cooked bone, but both should be avoided if possible.
There are several risks when it comes to eating pork bones. These are just risks. This means your pup may be just fine after bone consumption. But because there are risks, it’s not worth consciously endangering your dog’s health to feed them leftovers from that afternoon’s barbeque. Let’s take a look at each risk in further detail.
One of the more serious risks associated with feeding bones to your pup is that the bone can splinter in the mouth as it is being swallowed. A sharp edge on a splintered bone can easily cause a perforation in the intestine as it is being digested. This can lead to internal bleeding.
It then reveals itself through symptoms similar to when a bone that has gotten stuck in the intestine would. This means you’ll see diarrhea, changes in appetite, and abdominal pain as symptoms. It is very serious and also requires invasive surgery for treatment. With the stress that it would put on your four-legged pal, it simply isn’t worth the risk.
The other big risk that accompanies chewing on a pork bone is that it can cause an obstruction as it moves through the gut. Very small pieces may pass through or be broken down. But, a bone has the potential to get stuck either in the mouth or the throat even before it reaches the stomach. Excessive salivation or coughing after a dog has been chewing or playing with a bone can be a sign that there is a problem. You should seek out the help of a veterinarian immediately in this case.
Even if the bone does manage to pass to the stomach, the digestive action of the stomach and intestine is not enough to dissolve or break down a bone. There is still potential for the bone to get stuck somewhere else along the intestine. It can take up to 72 hours for symptoms of a blockage to manifest, but it is absolutely a veterinary emergency.
An obstruction in the gut can restrict blood flow to the tissue and result in serious illness or death. Signs accompanying intestinal blockages include vomiting, diarrhea, changes in appetite, or abdominal pain that don’t resolve within a few hours. If an obstruction is present, a veterinarian may have to operate to remove the offending foreign object. This is a very invasive surgery and is best avoided at all costs!
In addition to the emergency situations involving the gut, some dogs have broken a tooth from a session with a bone. This isn’t a life-threatening situation, but it is very painful. Unfortunately, the most common solution for a fractured dog tooth is dental extraction which requires anesthesia. This is another situation which your dog would not want to find himself in!
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Pork Bones?
Never feed your dog cooked pork ones.
Pork bones, whether raw or cooked, are likely to splinter and crack when your dog chews on them.
Can Dogs Eat Pork Rib Bones?
No. Do not feed pork rib bones to your dog. They can splinter into shards that can cause your dog to choke, damage its mouth, throat or intestines.
FAQ
What kind of bones are safe for dogs?
Can you get pork chop bones to dogs?