Can Dogs Eat Sausage? What Happens If Your Dog Eats Sausage?

Sausages are tempting enough for us, humans; so, the more that they can be tempting for dogs. It can be due to their appetizing aroma.

Or it can simply be because of how much you enjoy eating cooked sausage with pancake and eggs for breakfast. It could also be both reasons that make your pup sit beside you with his begging eyes. But, can dogs eat sausage?

And what happens if your dog eats sausage? As a pet parent, we know, you have a lot of questions regarding what food to feed and not feed your canine buddy.

In this article, we’ll share more about sausages, and whether these tasty human foods are safe for your dog or not.

Can Dogs Eat Sausage?

Generally, pork or beef sausages are not toxic to dogs. So, if you can’t resist sharing these cooked processed meats with your furry friend, then, you can safely do so in moderation.

However, that being said, sausage is not healthy for dogs. Hence, as much as possible, it’s best to keep this salty and fatty food to yourself.

Nonetheless, if out of curiosity your dog ate a tiny bit of sausage, he will just be fine. Also, be sure that the sausage was cooked properly because raw or undercooked processed meat can be contaminated with E. coli and salmonella that can make your dog sick.

Additionally, you should also ensure that the sausage doesn’t contain ingredients that can be harmful or even poisonous to dogs such as garlic, onions, onion powder, as well as some spices and seasonings.

However, it’s quite impossible for sausages not to have one or two of these ingredients, unless, of course, it was made at home.

Hence, your best bet is to stick with dog food or your dog’s kibble to keep your pup safe while ensuring that he is eating a complete and well-balanced diet.

Is Sausage Bad for Dogs?

Sausage is not healthy for us, humans, so, the more that it is unhealthy and unsafe for our dogs, especially when eaten regularly and in huge amounts. While you can indulge in a few sausages now and then, your dog should definitely not.

Dogs are smaller and therefore need fewer calories than us, humans. Hence, a piece of sausage can already take in an unusual amount of their recommended calories and fats per day. A healthy medium-sized dog weighing 15 kgs only needs 640-800 calories daily.

If the dog isn't in the best health or has been neutered, he will need to consume the lower end of this range. And when we look at sausages, the typical pork sausage has 111-176 calories. Without a doubt, a single sausage can already take a lot of your dog's daily calories in one bite.

While dogs are omnivores, they also need meat in their diet. However, beef or pork sausage is definitely not a healthy source of protein for your pup because of its high fat and high salt content. The extremely high-fat content in sausages is definitely a no-no for dogs.

It is possible that sausages may contain at least 55% of fat. Not only is this unhealthy but may later result in obesity, heart disease, and pancreatitis. And of course, salty foods are also discouraged for dogs.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials requires pet food manufacturers to include 0.3 percent of sodium in dog foods because pups also need a little bit of this mineral to remain healthy.

But bear in mind that sausages contain too much sodium. In particular, one cooked sausage patty can contain 349 milligrams of sodium.

So, you can just imagine the negative consequences that can arise from feeding sausage to your dog regularly. Sadly, your pup may have to endure complications to his heart, kidneys, and overall wellness.

What’s more, as mentioned earlier, sausages could also contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs such as onion, garlic, spices, sulfites, and artificial flavorings.

Additionally, sausages have poor nutritional value. Despite being a meat product, they aren’t a good source of healthy protein for your dog. And a lot of sausage brands also contain less than 50% pork.

What Happens If Your Dog Eats Sausage?

If your dog managed to eat a small amount of sausage, he should just be okay. Most probably, he will experience minor vomiting and diarrhea.

So, you should still keep an eye on him. And since your pup is releasing fluid from his body, it’s best to provide him plenty of fresh clean water.

These two symptoms, coupled with the high salt content in sausages can lead to dehydration, which can be alarming. So, you should ensure that your pup is well-hydrated.

Also, if he continues to vomit and defecate, don’t give him food just yet. Give your dog’s stomach enough time to settle.

If your dog consumed a contaminated or undercooked sausage, you should also watch out for the following aside from vomiting and diarrhea:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Lethargy
• Dehydration

Undercooked or raw sausages can also put your pup at risk for several harmful side effects not just because of E. coli and Salmonella, but also due to a parasite infection called Trichinosis.

And as mentioned earlier, the high fat and salt content of sausages are also problematic for dogs, not to mention that they could be mixed with other potentially harmful ingredients to your pup.

Dogs eating even a tiny bite of sausage with onion and garlic regularly can cause damage to their red blood cells, and can lead to anemia.

If your dog’s symptoms persist, you should take him to your local veterinarian.

Can You Cook With Sausage Grease?

Sausage grease may have that irresistible and mouthwatering smell, but for your pup’s health and safety, never add this to his wet foods or kibbles. The grease contains more salt and fat content than the sausage itself.

So, if you love cooking your raw eggs and other meats in bacon or sausage grease, please don’t share your cooked meal with your dog. Again, stay away with this nasty grease if you want to lengthen your pet’s precious life.

What Are Some Sausage Substitutes?

If you like to give your dog an enjoyable treat, consider giving him some chicken and turkey hot dogs. But still, keep the quantities low, because hot dogs may also be full of salt.

Beef sausage crafted from premium meat is a good choice for your pet as long as it contains no condiments. Chicken sausage can also be a safe alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat sausage rolls?

Short answer, No. They should not eat the rolls for the same reason they should not consume sausages in general. The meat is highly processed which also contains lots of salt and fats, not to mention the pasty used for the rolls means more calories. Though, in general, it is not toxic, if you want, you can try giving him as very small bite just to taste.

can dogs eat turkey sausage?

If it is homemade, then yes. Turkey is a very good protein source for our four-legged companion, which is a plus. However, commercialized turkey sausages may contain seasonings and spices that may be harmful for your pet. For example, onion and garlic powder, these 2 are toxic and may cause anemia towards our beloved pets.

can dogs eat italian sausage?

No. Italian sausages are known for their seasoning and spiciness. When our pets consume spices such as garlic and onion, it can cause anemia and all the spicy flavorings can also bring about stomach upset. The meat in sausages are very high in fat, thus, it is not a recommended source for protein.

Can dogs eat vienna sausage?

Still no. As aforementioned, sausages are rich in fat and sodium plus the seasonings that may pose a threat to your pup's health.

The Bottom Line

Sausage hurts dogs! While a small amount of cooked sausage can't cause a significant problem to your dog, still, we can't take away the fact that it is an unhealthy food choice for canines. Sausage has high levels of sodium and fat and is a serious threat to pets.

Hence, instead of giving your pup a fat-filled sausage, offer him healthier treats and dog foods that meet the standard set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials and are recommended by your local vet.