Every dog owner desires to give them the best, especially on feeding.
If you have some delicious meat products, such as Italian sausage, you may want to leave some for your four-legged companion.
However, it’s always important to consider the ingredients in the meat product.
So, can dogs eat Italian sausages?
No, Italian sausages are not healthy for dogs.
They’re spicy and are high in fat; hence can cause stomach upsets and other health complications.
The cooked Italian sausages are highly processed, while the uncooked may expose the dog to bacteria and parasitic infections.
In this article, we will look at what Italian sausage is, the health effects on dogs, what you can do when your dog eats italian sausage and whether dogs can eat them in different conditions.
What is an Italian Sausage?
Italian sausage is a pork sausage seasoned with fennel or anise as the primary seasoning.
It can also include other spices like garlic, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Beef and poultry meat are used as an alternative to pork.
The Effects of Italian Sausages on Dogs
Italian sausages contain garlic, a member of the allium family containing a compound called thiosulphate, which is toxic for dogs. Dogs are more sensitive to garlic than humans, and as little as one clove of garlic can cause digestive upset and anemia in dogs. If your dog eats a lot of garlic or eats it frequently, it could be fatal. Look for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and pale gums to determine if it’s affected.
Italian sausages contain spices such as thyme and pepper flakes which aren’t safe for dogs to eat. These spices can cause stomach irritation and digestive issues when ingested by dogs. In addition, they contain large amounts of salt, which can lead to excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and death when consumed in high quantities by dogs.
Italian sausages are among the high-fat foods that increase the risk of pancreatitis. When your dog consumes too much fat, its digestion becomes difficult, causing inflammation in the pancreas and can lead to pancreatitis. Fat also causes obesity in dogs, increasing the risk of many other health problems.
When dogs eat highly processed foods, they’re not getting all the nutrients. Italian sausages are heavily processed from the cured pork to preparation, then cooking, thus low nutrient levels.
No Italian sausage is suitable for your dog. While the cooked sausage is heavily processed, the raw sausage may carry bacteria such as salmonella, hence putting your adorable companion at risk of bacterial infections.
How to Prevent Dogs From Eating Toxic Italian Sausages
There are different ways you can prevent your dog from eating Italian sausages.
They include;
If there are leftovers, securely store them in the freezer, to keep them away from dogs. Leaving them on the table or countertop makes it easy for the dog to locate them through smell instinct and thus munch them.
Make yourself some home-made Italian sausages that have no seasonings or spices
Buy Italian sausages that are specifically made for dogs and do not contain harmful ingredients.
Can Italian Sausage Kill Dogs?
Yes, the Italian sausages can kill dogs when they consume one that contains toxic ingredients such as garlic. If you suspect that your four-legged friend has eaten some Italian sausage, check out for symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms show severe effects and so you should call a veterinary doctor immediately or visit a vet clinic.
Conclusion
There you have it.
The verdict on whether dogs can have Italian sausages.
While it’s true that you love your fluffy friend and would like to share some mouth watering Italian sausage with him, it is not good for him/her.
Italian sausages contain toxic ingredients which have the potential of causing health problems and worse death.
Besides, the seasoning has a high fat content that may cause stomach upset and damage to the pancreas.
Therefore, you should completely keep Italian sausages out of your dogs’ reach.
If you want to give it an Italian sausage treat, you can go for other sausage or hot dog options that are less harmful for them.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
