Can Dogs Have Pastrami? Is This Cut Of Meat Safe For Your Fido?

Who doesn’t love a juicy pastrami sandwich for brunch?

While pastrami could be the best thing to ever go between two slices of bread, you may be wondering if you can let your dog have some.

So, can dogs have pastrami?

No.

You should never feed your dog pastrami as it has high-sodium and high-fat content that can be detrimental to your dog’s health, especially if he has kidney disease.

It also contains spices like garlic which can damage your dog’s red blood cells, resulting in anemia.

This article will explain what pastrami is and its effect on dogs.

It will also discuss the best action to take if your dog accidentally eats pastrami.

Can Dogs Have Pastrami

What is pastrami?

Pastrami is a form of cured meat that usually comes from beef, lamb or turkey.

Pastrami is brined in salty liquid and then covered with spices like garlic, black coriander, paprika, clove, allspice, and mustard seed to give it an extra kick. 

It is then smoked and steamed.

The lengthy process of brining, drying, seasoning, smoking, and steaming gives it that depth of flavor that we love and enjoy.

Why is pastrami bad for dogs?

Pastrami contains high fat and sodium content, posing severe health risks to dogs.

This is because dogs who constantly feed on high-fat foods like pastrami may be at risk of becoming overweight.

Dog obesity may further lead to other problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and pancreatitis.

Similarly, foods with high sodium content can result in sodium ion poisoning, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Pastrami meat also contains garlic which is highly poisonous for dogs as it contains chemical compounds that damage the red blood cells.

This results in hemolytic anemia, leading to death if left untreated.

Should dogs eat pastrami?

Feeding your dog pastrami meat will do more harm than good to your dog.

While a tiny amount may not cause any harm to your dog, it’s best to avoid it altogether.

Some of the health issues that may occur after offering your dog pastrami include:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Obesity
  • Salt poisoning
  • Excessive thirst
  • Diabetes
  • Blood thickens
  • Death

Avoid feeding your dog pastrami as the high sodium, high-fat content, and other harmful ingredients like garlic may be lethal for your dog.

The spices added to enhance flavor in pastrami like black pepper, paprika, coriander seeds, and mustard seeds can lead to some severe health issues. 

These health risks may include dehydration, glaucoma, and disturbance in the water balance of cells.

Pastrami also causes thickening of dogs’ blood, which blocks the circulation, eventually leading to irregular heart function.

The high sodium content may affect bone strength in dogs, resulting in weakness.

Excess sodium content may also cause salt poisoning, leading to dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, tremors, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

It can also cause high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, or kidney problems.

What to do if your dog eats pastrami meat

If your dog took a tiny bite of pastrami meat, there shouldn’t be any cause for alarm.

While a small slice of pastrami is unlikely to be toxic to your dog, expect possible stomach upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. 

Give your dog plenty of water in case of these symptoms and if they don’t disappear within a day or two, call your vet for further instructions.

Your dog’s size and breed will determine the magnitude of the side effects.

A single slice can cause severe effects for smaller breeds, while a larger dog might survive eating more than one slice.

Try to find out how much pastrami your dog ate, as this information will help your vet administer the correct treatment.

Try to keep your dog hydrated with fresh drinking water at frequent intervals while monitoring signs of indigestion, dehydration, diarrhea, or vomiting.

You can withhold your dog’s regular food while trying to feed him plain canned pumpkin or bone broth to help settle the stomach without overloading it.

If you notice your dog acting strangely after eating pastrami meat, contact your vet immediately for further instructions or take him in for close examination.

If your dog overfeeds on pastrami meat, he may suffer salt poisoning, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Ensure your dog stays well hydrated as it will help him recover balance in his digestive system.

Can dogs have pastrami every day?

No.

Dogs should not be fed pastrami even for once.

This is because pastrami may cause mild to severe issues.

Even as a one-time thing, feeding your dog pastrami can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weight gain, and stomach upset.

Other serious issues like blood thickening can slow down blood circulation, resulting in poor heart performance.

Your dog may experience lethargy, weakness, dizziness, and aggressiveness.

Can dogs eat pastrami cold cuts?

If you feed your dog pastrami cold cuts, he may be at risk of salmonella poisoning.

This will generally present with diarrhea containing blood or mucus.

Pastrami also contains nitrates used to cure the meat, which can cause irreparable damage to your dog as it increases the risk of cancer.

How long does it take for pastrami to be removed from your dog’s system?

The time taken for pastrami to be flushed out of your dog’s system will depend on the size and breed of your dog and how much they ate.
You can offer your dog Gatorade or Pedialyte as it will help replace fluids and sodium lost after a bout of diarrhea.
 If your dog accidentally ate a significant amount of pastrami and is not showing symptoms, it’s best to call the vet as a precaution.
Depending on the size of your dog, it may take anywhere between several hours to days before pastrami, and other toxic substances are expelled from their system.
The amount of pastrami your dog ate and the toxicity level will also affect how long it takes before the symptoms disappear.
Generally, the symptoms should take between 1 and 2 days, but if your dog becomes lethargic or if the symptoms persist, call the vet immediately.

In conclusion

Pastrami should be tucked safely away from your pup despite being a succulent and flavorful cut of meat.

You can offer your dog other safer options like a fresh piece of lean meat without worrying about the aftereffects of toxic ingredients like salt.

Megan Turner

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