Can dogs eat pork? This question might sound absurd for some because for them the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” But, is it really, “Yes” without a shadow of a doubt?
Let’s take a look at every angle of this question so next time, when someone asks us if dogs can eat pork, we can give them a clearer answer with full conviction.
Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not carnivores, but instead omnivores. Their bodies take nourishment both from meats and plants.
However, we could not disregard the fact that their teeth, digestive system, and behavior are designed as if they were only made to accept meat as a primary protein source and as their main source of nutrients per se.
So, we couldn’t blame anyone for raising eyebrows when confronted with the question, “Can dogs eat pork?”
Technically, yes, but the discussion doesn’t end there. Pork is not toxic to dogs, so you can give it to your pup. However, certain conditions must be met to keep your dog healthy and safe as he chews on the cuts of meat with gusto.
To start, it’s best for your dog to eat cooked pork without added salt, spices, garlic powder, onion powder, and other ingredients that can be harmful to him.
Keep his cooked pig meat plain and simple. Reserve the bells and whistles of a gourmet pork dish to yourself. You deserve such a sumptuous treat.
Nonetheless, we’re not saying that your pup doesn’t deserve to be pampered with seasoned pork products like bacon, ham, and pork chop. You may feel guilty for not allowing your dog to taste these fatty and mouthwatering human foods, but you should not.
After all, dogs are not fond of these spices and flavors and they can’t even taste some of these ingredients that we usually add to our dishes.
Instead, dogs are drawn to the fatty and meaty flavor of the meat. So, don’t feel bad for giving your pooch plain and unseasoned cooked pork for dinner.
Whether you believe it or not, your canine companion loves it. And besides, you can also see it to yourself just by observing how fast he finishes his homemade dog food.
When Is Pork Bad for Dogs?
Generally speaking, plain pork is safe for dogs. In fact, they are way safer than many other foods that often cause adverse and toxic reactions to dogs, such as raw fish or macadamia nuts.
Nonetheless, it’s not a reason at all for us dog owners to be complacent because again adding pork to dog's diet has some risks.
Overall, it’s not safe to feed your dog pork when it is uncooked, soaked and drizzled with additives, and mixed with toxic ingredients.
If you are feeding your dog pork or a specific cut or portion of pig meat (such as pig ears) for the first time, make sure to only give him a small amount.
You can’t just put pork chops on your pup’s bowl and call it a day. And of course, don’t forget to closely monitor your pup because there are always risks involved when you feed your dog something that is not part of his regular diet.
Also, there’s the risk that your pup may show some allergic reactions, or he may exhibit bothersome symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you observe anything unusual, don’t hesitate to contact your vet immediately, or better yet go to the nearest veterinarian so proper assessment and medical intervention can be given right away if needed.
As for raw or undercooked pork, it’s not recommended both for humans and dogs because it may be infested with trichinella parasites that can cause stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and other uncomfortable side effects.
To be fair though with raw pork, trichinella spiralis larvae can also be found in other uncooked or undercooked meats. This can cause a parasite infection called trichinosis.
This condition also occurs in humans, but there are more cases in dogs. So, we can’t use the excuse that a dog’s digestive system is tougher than ours.
Symptoms of trichinosis that you should watch out for include an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, muscle inflammation, stiffness, and lethargy. These symptoms don’t usually appear in all dogs. Basically, those with a weaker immune system suffer the most.
Next, pork becomes bad for your dog when it is seasoned and mixed with toxic ingredients. We’ve mentioned this earlier, and it’s just right to say it again as repetition can help with the retention of information. Again, you can’t use BBQ sauce for your dog’s pork meat nor add garlic, onion, salt, spices, and other salty ingredients.
Moreover, there are pork products that are high in salt content and fat, such as bacon, sausages, and ham. You can’t feed processed meats to your dog not just because they are fatty and salty, but also for the fact that they contain carcinogens that can cause cancer.
Eating huge amounts of these fatty and salty pork products can also be too much for your pup’s digestive system to process in one go.
The risk for indigestion is high, and it can cause bloating and an upset stomach. Eating huge portions of these pork products regularly can also lead to weight gain, weight-related complications, pancreatitis, and other fatal health issues.
Finally, while it’s advisable to cook pork meat first before giving it to your pup, you can’t do the same thing with the bones.
Any cooked bone can splinter inside your dog’s body and may pose a risk for choking and/or intestinal obstruction. If you want to feed your pup bones, stick to the ones that you can buy from the pet store.
As mentioned earlier, it’s not safe to feed your dog raw pork meat. How about the raw pork that is used for a raw food diet?
Well, we figured that you’ll ask. While both types of meat are raw, the pork that is used in a raw diet has been treated for this type of consumption.
This typically involves freezing the raw pork meat for a certain time to effectively kill those nasty parasites. Standard raw pig meat or even high-quality pork that you can buy from the grocery or a supplier didn’t go through the same process of deparasatization.
What Are Some Safer Meat Alternatives for Dogs?
Pork isn’t toxic to dogs, and other meats such as beef, rabbit, and lamb are more likely to cause allergic reactions in dogs. But still, we can’t undermine the fact that there are also safer meat options that you can give your dog, instead of pork.
At the top of the list is chicken, which doesn’t just provide an extra source of protein in dogs, but is also easier to digest, and is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, amino acid, and fats.
Just like with pork, vets recommend feeding your dog with plain, unseasoned, and cooked chicken meat, especially when they are experiencing gastrointestinal problems.
Final Thoughts
Pork meat can be bad or good to your dog depending on how you serve it to him. And again, when feeding pig meat to your dog, it is best to cook it first.
And by cooking it at home, you can also ensure that you are giving your pup the right kind and cut of meat. Below are some suitable parts that you can give to your dog:
Lean pork cuts
Livers and hearts, which are a great source of vitamins and minerals
Tongue, trachea, tail
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He is a seasoned writer who has more than 10 years of experience in creating engaging and optimized content for various platforms and audiences. He has worked on diverse projects ranging from articles, social media posts, newsletters and ebooks, covering different topics and niches.
