Question: Can dogs eat salami? What about pepperoni? Dogs often want to eat what their human is eating. This is especially true if we are having something made out of meat like salami or pepperoni. There’s just something in the smell that dogs find irresistible.
So, if you are having some salami, there’s a good chance your dog is right there next to you begging for a piece. However, try to resist those pitiful eyes, because not all human food is safe for your four-legged buddy.
Can Dogs Eat Salami?
Salami is a thinly sliced cured sausage that is a popular pizza topping, but also often used in salads and sandwiches. Everyone agrees that it’s delicious, but the question is: can dogs eat salami?
The simple answer is no, dogs cannot eat salami. While salami is not exactly toxic to dogs, it contains an alarming amount of sodium, which still makes it dangerous for dogs to eat. Salami also contains an unhealthy amount of fat, making it a very terrible choice as far as dog treats go. It is definitely for the best to avoid feeding salami to your dog.
Why Is Salami Not Good for Dogs
Dogs are first and foremost meat eaters, so many would think that things that meat products like salami and pepperoni are okay to give to our dog, but no.
Meats like salami, pepperoni and even bologna are processed meats that are best avoided.
Processed means that they have been modified in some way to enhance the taste and/or prolong the shelf life.
While enhancing the taste and extending the self life of a product might not sound so bad, it usually means that the product now contains some not so desirable additives, especially for our pet dogs.
For instance, cured meats like salami, pepperoni and bologna contain a lot of sodium. As little as one slice of salami can contain over 200 milligrams of sodium as well as up to 26 percent fat (but that’s another topic).
The Problem with Excessive Sodium for Dogs
Giving your dog salami or other high sodium foods is best avoided. The main reason being that it’s simply unhealthy for dogs to eat excessively salty food.
While dogs’ bodies do need some sodium for good health, the amount needed is rather low and exceeding that can cause problems for your doggy.
The first signs that your dog has had too much sodium are increased thirst and frequent urination. A large dose, however, can even cause sodium ion poisoning, which can result in kidney failure and become a life-treating condition.
A medium sized dog should only be consuming around 100 milligrams of sodium in a day. And as a single slice of salami can contain more than double that, it is definitely not a safe treat for dogs.
High Fat Content of Salami Is Another Problem for Dogs
Another major problem with processed meats is the high fat content, because foods that have a high fat content can not just lead to obesity, but can be a major health hazard in general.
Having said that, a major problem with high fat diets in dogs is pancreatitis( inflammation of the pancreas). This can be a very painful and dangerous condition.
Keep in mind, though, that it’s not just salami, pepperoni, and blogna that are bad for our four-legged friends. Other processed and cured meats like bacon, ham, jerky and corned beef are just as bad.
Many processed meats like sausages also contain sulphite preservatives, which are also dangerous to dogs. Foods containing sulphite preservatives can cause thiamine deficiency in dogs and even lead to death.
Moreover, there are quite a few foods that contain sulphite preservatives, like pizza and potato chips, so it is especially important to keep and eye on Fido during take out nights or parties. Having said that, the best thing you can do is to provide your dog with properly made dog treats and dog food, designed especially for dogs, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
What If My Dog Already Ate Some Salami Or Pepperoni?
If your dog has already managed to scrape up some left over pepperoni from the table, don’t be alarmed, because one or two pieces won’t kill him.
He certainly got more than the daily recommended dose of sodium and fat, but a one time thing shouldn’t cause too much of a problem, he may become extra thirsty for a while and need to go potty more often than normal, but other that, she’ll be fine. Just make sure your provide her with plenty of clean drinking water.
However, in the future be sure to make everyone in the house aware of the dangers of cured, processed meats and not to leave them where they are easily accessible by the family dog.
If your dog managed to get more than one or two slices, then it’s likely that he will start to vomit very soon. If this is the case, then it’s also recommended that you call the nearest veterinarian and follow the instructions received.
How to Prevent Your Dog from Eating Salami or Anything Else Potentially Dangerous?
Finally, your dog will learn from you what he can and cannot do, so it is wise to train them early on not to take things from plates or tables. Moreover, obedience training and taking them to a training school early on in life can make a huge difference at home when it comes to helping himself. A well trained dog won’t even touch food without the owners consent, but we all know not all of us have the time for extensive training, so it is best to keep bad foods in the refrigerator, and left overs need to be thrown away as soon as possible.
Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni?
Pepperoni is a type of salami which has a thicker slice and is spicier than usual. As mentioned above, salami is not good for dogs, and so is pepperoni. Aside from the fat that it contains, the special spices included in pepperoni can upset your dog’s stomach. Spicy foods can trigger gastric issues in the long run.
Therefore, No Pepperoni for Dogs
Pepperoni is very unhealthy for dogs. If they consume this, it might lead to diarrhea or vomiting. But if ever they have eaten a slice or two, don’t feed them more slices anymore — that’s already enough to be consumed for their entire life.
Pepperoni is made with black pepper, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, and garlic powder or paprika which are known for spicing up dishes. For dogs, that’s already way too spicy for their appetite.
Aside from the spices, pepperoni, being a type of salami, is also very fatty which can trigger some cardiovascular diseases. Even just a few slices have pretty high amount of fats and low-quality calories which can make dogs overweight and sluggish over time.
Small Dogs Are in Greater Danger
If you have a small dog, avoid giving it salami and pepperoni at all costs. A small dog’s stomach is tinier compared to other breeds, so consuming salami and pepperoni can cause a swift reaction to the body. Small dogs can be at risk of pancreatitis due to its fat content. Tiny canines cannot handle greasy, oily, and high-caloric meats. One of the possible reactions that they can immediately feel is having bloody diarrhea. So it is better to completely avoid giving feeding them pepperoni and salami.
Healthy Alternatives to Salami & Pepperoni
You have to know that not all processed foods are good for dogs, and you of course want your dog to become healthy and happy without being deprived of the food that they can eat. So instead of giving them unhealthy food, you can offer veggie treats such as carrots and cucumber instead of salami and pepperoni.
Conclusion on Salami & Pepperoni
All pet parents want their dogs to be happy, and in a perfect world, you can just give them whatever food they want to eat. But as their primary caregivers, you should be extra careful about the food that you are going to give them — no matter how you think it is okay for them, or that giving them a small amount won’t hurt them. You should be aware that sometimes the food that you think are harmless might cause some serious disease if you keep feeding them small portions habitually.
