Never feed dogs 1 common meat product that could be dangerous

Dog owners have been told they should never feed their pets one type of meat, as it could be harmful – potentially leading to painful conditions like pancreatitis

Treating your dog should never compromise their wellbeing. As a nation of dog lovers, many of us enjoy indulging our pets, especially with food-based rewards. Some owners share portions of their meals directly from their plates, whilst others offer their canine companions small samples during meal preparation.

Numerous foods that humans consume are indigestible for dogs. Most dog owners understand that items such as onions, grapes and chocolate must never be given to their pets, yet there’s one food many people don’t realise poses a risk. Whilst we generally assume meat is safe for dogs, given it comprises the bulk of their diet, animal experts are cautioning owners against feeding their dogs one particular type of meat that could prove harmful.

The potential danger of this food emerged in the comments section of a TikTok video showing a couple filming their golden retriever puppy sampling a sausage for the first time.

The young dog became so enthusiastic about eating the freshly cooked sausage that it attempted to swallow it whole without chewing, prompting its owners to intervene quickly and remove the sausage from its mouth, concerned about choking. They subsequently broke the sausage into smaller portions for the dog to consume safely.

While the video was intended to be endearing, vets and veterinary technicians swiftly responded in the comments to caution the couple that sausages can pose genuine health risks to dogs.

One person commented: “I hate to be that person, but coming from a vet tech, dogs can’t eat sausages as it causes pancreatitis, which is super common in goldies as well. Hope this helps!”

Another remarked: “Oh, can we not feed the puppy sausages, please. They aren’t able to process this stuff properly, and the stuff they put in it isn’t good.”

A third responded: “Vet Nurse here; feeding him a little bit of sausage is harmless, but please remember that stuff like this causes pancreatitis. Whilst it’s treatable with fluids and rest, it’s not cheap to treat, and it’s very uncomfortable for your pup. Please have a chat with your vet about the best way to have your furry friend enjoy things like this safely!”

Can dogs eat sausages?

According to Pet MD, the majority of sausage varieties are unsuitable for dogs to consume, including breakfast sausages, Vienna sausages, and even sausages prepared in different forms, such as patties or links. Sausages are produced by blending meat, fat, spices and other ingredients, some of which can prove harmful to your dog.

Sausages frequently contain seasonings such as garlic and onion, both of which pose serious risks to dogs. These ingredients can cause significant illness in your pet, whilst the elevated fat and sodium levels in sausages can result in severe and distressing health problems such as pancreatitis.

While a small morsel of plain sausage is unlikely to cause your dog any significant harm, sausages shouldn’t be given to dogs regularly, and there are far superior food options available. For a meat-based treat, consider offering them plain chicken, turkey, salmon, beef or lamb instead, and save the sausages for yourself.

What to do if your dog eats sausage

If your dog has managed to devour a piece of sausage, your course of action will depend on several factors.

1. Determine how much sausage was eaten. A healthy adult dog that’s eaten a small piece of unseasoned sausage will likely be fine. If you know your dog has eaten sausage, monitor them and call your vet for advice.
2. Watch for symptoms. If your dog shows any signs of digestive upset, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, and lethargy, call your vet for guidance. If your dog ate a large amount of sausage or appears distressed, contact your vet ASAP, as they will be able to give you advice on what to do next.

For more information, visit the Pet MD website.