While kielbasa may be a delicious treat for humans, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is safe for dogs to consume.
If you are wondering if kielbasa is safe for your dog, then it’s important to learn more about what to expect.
Can dogs eat Kielbasa?
Kielbasa is not recommended for dogs as it contains harmful ingredients like salt and garlic.
The salt and fat content in Kielbasa is unhealthy for your four-legged friend.
In extreme situations, its consumption can lead to digestive issues like bloating, pancreatitis, kidney damage, or fatality.
The range of flavors in Kielbasa gives it a distinct taste that goes with everything from mac & cheese to fries or even alone.
While the intentions for your dog are genuine, below are dietary facts about Kielbasa and why you shouldn’t feed it to your dog.
Kielbasa Diet Content for Dogs
According to the National Research Council (NRC), Kielbasa contains a good protein.
However, there are also hazardous ingredients like fat and salt, with adverse health effects on dogs.
Each100 gram of Kielbasa contains 12.4 grams of protein, and the rest are spices and preservatives.
The report further intimates that a dog weighing 33 pounds needs 14 grams of fat daily, yet the 100 grams has more than double that allowance, not forgetting the harmful ingredients the dog will be consuming.
It’s crystal clear that Kielbasa is more of a health hazard for dogs than it is beneficial.
As a pet parent, you need to explore other diet alternatives to keep your pup healthy and full of life.
The seasoning in processed meat like Kielbasa is by multiple ingredients like onions and garlic powder, both toxic for canines.
If your dog mistakenly eats a piece of Kielbasa, he will likely be okay.
However, consuming more will result in sickness.
If you have concerns your dog has ingested too much Kielbasa, and if they manifest, call or visit a vet immediately.
Here are the symptoms to watch out for.
Watery diarrhea
Nausea and Vomiting
Difficulty in breathing
Dehydration
Lethargy
Swollen tongue
Treatment for Kielbasa Ingestion in Dogs
Once you get to a vet, they will carry out a thorough diagnosis on your furry friend to determine the extent of damages.
The process might include lab tests, and treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms.
If the dog is in bad shape, they might try to induce vomiting, then give medication for diarrhea and an IV to help deal with dehydration while making it easy for you to administer drugs to your dog.
The medication given to your dog will treat any complications that might trouble your dog, but the good news is that it will make a full recovery.
A late prognosis will deny prompt diagnosis and medication for your dog and can cause death if there is too much ingestion of Kielbasa.
The Negative Effects of Kielbasa Contents on dogs
Give a proper canine diet to your dog to avoid complications like weight gain, stomach disorders, cardiovascular complications that come with feeding your dog too much human food.
Below are some adverse effects of kielbasa contents to dogs.
Excess salt/sodium
Kielbasa has too much salt and sodium, which, when ingested, lead to water retention, kidney issues, and high blood pressure.
Dogs need a modest amount of sodium to balance the body’s neurological and musculoskeletal functions.
Frequent consumption of too much sodium risks well-being from the heart to gastrointestinal complications.
Senior dogs with prevailing health disorders are more susceptible to the adverse effects of excess salt in the diet.
A lot of fat in a dog’s diet results in obesity and arthritis and eventually increases the chances of getting certain cancers like cancer of the colon and stomach.
Keep your furry friend healthy by feeding it a proper canine diet.
As much as you may feel guilty enjoying your sausage while he watches, don’t bow because sharing it will cause dire effects like digestive distress or fatality in severe cases.
Fat leads to weight gain if a dog consumes it regularly, causing a strain on joints, obesity, diabetes, and heart problems in the long run.
The presence of too much fat in sausages causes the pancreas to produce more enzymes to break down the fat, which eventually damages cells.
Acute pancreatitis can happen in a short time if a dog consumes too much Kielbasa often.
The hard outer casing on Kielbasa can obstruct the intestines, and if no attention is given directly, the dog can die.
Alternatively, you can provide the dog milk to help dissolve the Kielbasa.
Conclusion
The meat in Kielbasa alone is not harmful to dogs, but the seasoning ingredients are highly toxic to dogs.
You can make Kielbasa from different meats: chicken, pork, turkey, lamb, or beef and seasoned with multiple flavors, including garlic powder, onions, and salt as a preservative.
Apart from the meat and harmful ingredients, Kielbasa has a high-fat content which is unnecessary for dogs.
Regular feeding of your dog on a diet high in fat means it will gain weight in a short time, a development that will only pose a health risk.
Therefore, avoid complicating your life and that of your pet by feeding it the proper canine diet to live a fulfilling, healthy life.
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.
