What Happens if a Dog Eats Pork?
If you serve your pup plain, cooked pork, most dogs will not experience an adverse reaction to eating small quantities of pork. Many will actually benefit from the high-quality protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants that are available in pork.
In fact, pork is an excellent anti-allergy dog food because it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction in our pups, especially when compared to other popular protein sources like beef and chicken. For example, chicken is a very popular protein source for dogs, but it can cause gut inflammation in some dogs. If your dog regularly experiences constipation, loose stools, or bloating, pork may be a great protein choice for your pup. We recommend consulting with your veterinarian for advice on how to gently transition your dog onto a new pork diet.
Can I Give My Dog Pork? Yes, you can!
Keep in mind that pork should be cooked, unseasoned, and pure (not a preserved meat like ham, bacon, or sausage.) Otherwise, many dogs will enjoy pork, and their health can benefit from its many nutrients and high-quality protein content.
Is Pork Good for Dogs?
Pork is rarely a primary protein source used in dog food, which leaves many pet parents left to wonder, “Why is there so little pork dog food?”
There are several reasons for the lack of pork available on the pet food market. For starters, pork used to be thought of as unhealthy for dogs. There were many misconceptions out there about dogs eating pork. Some claimed that pork’s high-fat content could lead to pancreatitis, even though it contains less fat than beef, while others said it’s bad for dogs’ livers.
Over and over again, the science has not supported that pork is bad for dogs.
Even though we know better now, this stereotype has stuck around and may limit some pet parents’ desire to purchase pork for their dogs.
Another reason there are fewer types of pork dog food available is because of the large amount of pork consumption by humans. Humans love pork. Whether it’s bacon, ham, sausage, or pork chops, we eat pork in large quantities. Human consumption can lead to less pork available for our furry friends.
Pork dog food can be an excellent source of many key nutrients, such as amino acids, which help dogs build healthy muscle mass, and thiamine, which is a key mineral used to support healthy cell function. In addition, pork is a great source of omega-3s, vitamin E, and healthy fats.
Pork is also highly digestible and easy on the stomach for many dogs, making it a great option for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Why do you soak pork chops in milk?
Apparently, milk is more effective in tenderizing meat than other marinades. The milk enzymes seem to break the proteins, softening the fibers and making the meat more tender. Other milk products suitable for tenderizing meat (not only pork but chicken or beef as well) are yogurt or buttermilk.
Recipe: Nutritious Pork Dinner for Dogs
Pork has more of the essential amino acids that build muscle mass and aid tissue repair in dogs than any other source of protein. Lean pork is also the easiest meat to digest, and its hypoallergenic. For a yummy dinner your best friend will adore, pair roasted pork with oats.
Roast the pork in a 325-degree Fahrenheit oven until done and juices run clear, about 40 minutes to an hour. Remove the meat from the oven and place it on a platter. Cut the roasted pork into 1-inch or bite-sized chunks and set aside to cool.
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the oats, cover, and turn off the heat. Let the oats cook in the hot water for about 10 minutes or until soft. While still warm, mix in the eggs. Set aside to cool completely.
Peel and quarter a large sweet potato or yam. Cut fresh green beans into small pieces. Place the veggies in a saucepan, cover with water and cook for about 20 minutes, or until tender. Remove the vegetables from the heat and drain.
Mash the sweet potato or yam, then place the vegetables in your dogs bowl. Toss in the chunks of pork. Pour the oatmeal over top of the veggies and pork. Stir gently to incorporate the ingredients, and serve.
Based in Ontario, Susan Dorling has written professionally since 2000, with hundreds of articles published in a variety of popular online venues. Writing on a diverse range of topics, she reflects her passion for business, interior design, home decorating, style, fashion and pets.