Every couple of years my family and I travel to Texas for Christmas time. Our friends from Texas have a Hispanic origin and invited our family to join them and celebrate by making Tamales and sipping freshly ground Columbian coffee. My dog’s Labradors from a friend were always looking for food scraps. A Christmas, my friend asked me if my homemade Tamales could have enough safety for their dogs to consume and this inspired me to create this article.
Can dogs take in Tamales? It depends. The majority of Tamales can be eaten by dogs safely. consume. Before you offer the Tamales to your dog take off the corn husk completely and make sure you check your meats, Tamale mix, and seasonings for ingredients that are harmful to dogs. Certain Tamales might include salsa, spices or even cheese which could cause stomach upsets in dogs.
In reality, there are many humans who consume foods that are loaded with spices and seasonings that can be hazardous for our pets. Be sure to consider the ingredients in the food prior to offering any food to your dog.
What are Tamales?
Tamales are the traditional Mexican delight made from corn dough and meat and then cooked in wraps made from corn husk. Tamales are a classic Latin American dish and are popular among Mexican and Guatemalan families. The history of the dish dates to the period of 5000-8000 BC.
What is the process of making Tamales created?
Tamales are prepared using corn dough, broth, and lard until it becomes an extremely thick batter. This batter then gets poured over a husk of corn or a banana leaf.
Then, pork, beef, or chicken meat is added to the batter. The batter is then topped with salsa for additional flavor. The husk is then wrapped, and the Tamales are cooked. After eating the husk must be removed.
What are Tamales composed of?
Both the masa as well as the husk comprise two main ingredients that haven’t changed much since the meal was first served in the early Aztec and Mayan households.
Masa is a type of dough made from corn. It’s a staple ingredient in a variety of well-known Latin American food like pupusas corn tortillas, corn tortillas, and gorditas.
Modern Tamales also contain salsa, meat seasoned cheese, vegetables, along with chili peppers.
What is it that Tamales are packaged in?
Tamales can be wrapped with banana or corn husks. The wrapper is used only to cook the food and then washed off after eating.
What ingredients are present in Tamales?
The ingredients that are used in Tamales differ greatly depending on personal preferences. Two things that are commonly used in all recipes is masa and corn husks, or banana leaf wrapper.
Tamales are made of meat, as well as other vegetables. The meat options include pork, beef, or chicken, along together with broth and lard for a richer masa.
Other recipes can substitute cheese for meat beans, onions, peppers, and broth to make vegetable stock. Spice is a well-loved flavor for this dish and people may use chili paste to add flavor, as well as other spices.
Is Tamale bad for dogs?
Let’s take a look at the ingredients that are commonly used in Tamales and see how they might affect our furry companions.
1. Cornhusk
Although cornhusks don’t pose a danger they are a risk of choking. The husk could get lodged inside the dog’s throat and cause extreme discomfort and even suffocation. Cornhusks are also difficult to digest and could clog your dog’s intestinal tracts.
Consuming cornhusk may cause these symptoms:
- Suffocation.
- Choking.
- Stomach ache.
- Vomiting.
- Constipation.
- Internal bleeding.
2. Masa
Masa is made of corn dough or maize. It is suitable for dogs to consume by themselves. The masa in Tamales is loaded with harmful ingredients like spices, vegetable shortening as well as salt and salsa. These ingredients could upset your pet’s stomach.
With no such ingredients masa remains safe for pets to consume.
3. Meat
The natural carnivores in dogs are meat eaters, therefore the meat that is used to make Tamales can be safe to dog consumption.
The most unhealthy meat choice is pork, as it is high in saturated fats. In addition, meat is the safest portion of your Tamale for your dog.
4. Chile and salsa
Salsa includes spicy chilies and peppers that can be unpleasant. The digestive system of canines isn’t designed to handle spice.
Consuming a lot of spicy food can cause these:
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Indigestion.
- Gagging.
Salsa is also a source of two toxic ingredients, garlic, and onions that we will go over the following time.
5. Onion and garlic
Onion and garlic can be harmful to dogs. Both are toxic to. They are both contaminated by a chemical that destroys red blood cells in dogs which can cause a condition known as Hemolytic anemia.
Consuming garlic or onions in any form could trigger these symptoms:
- Lethargy.
- Weakness.
- Anemia.
6. Salt
Tamales are food items with the highest sodium level because of the salt that is added to the meat, as well as masa to add flavor. Certain recipes also require cooking powder and broth for chickens. All of which have their own sodium amount.
In total, the salt content of Tamales is a significant factor. Tamales can reach very high levels. Dogs who eat excessive amounts of salt or sodium might experience these symptoms:
- Hypertension.
- Dehydration.
- Urination that is excessive.
- Sodium poisoning.
7. Shortening of vegetable or lard
A lot of Tamale recipes require vegetable shortening or lard to be added to the masa to add more flavor. This makes Tamale an extremely harmful treat for our furry friends. Dogs who frequently consume food that is high in fats are at risk of:
- Obesity.
- Diabetes.
- Cholesterol imbalance.
- Pancreatitis.
- Cardiac concerns.
What the calories contained in Tamales are harmful to your pet
Tamales are calories dense dependent on the kind of meat and other ingredients that are used. If you are thinking about Tamales as a food option for your dog, be aware that they’re a snack.
Snacks should not comprise more than 10 percent of a dog’s diet. If you consider that an adult 25-pound dog requires not more than 625 calories per day Let’s look at how the various Tamale varieties perform.
| Tamale type | Calories (per Tamale) | % of a 25-pound dog’s Daily Requirement |
| Beef Tamale | 250 | 40% |
| Canned Tamale | 230 | 37% |
| Cheese Tamale | 270 | 43% |
| Chicken Tamale | 210 | 34% |
| Pork Tamale | 250 | 40% |
As you can observe, even the tiniest Tamales will meet the majority of a dog’s daily calorie requirement. Because snacks shouldn’t be an integral part of your pet’s diet, this number is unhealthy.
What is the best time to give Tamale to your pet?
When you prepare Tamales for humans typically, you add seasonings and flavorings to improve the flavor. Dogs’ stomachs can be affected by these ingredients and they could get sick. Don’t feed your dog Tamales made for humans.
Don’t allow your dog to consume Tamales wrapped in cornhusks. In the event that you offer your dog cornhusks, it could get stuck in their intestines or throat which can lead to constipation and suffocation.
To protect your dog from injury, take care to dispose of the husk first before offering your pet Tamales.
Does Tamale offer any nutritional benefits for your pet?
Tamales made from meat contain plenty of protein and fiber. They’re also high in vitamins B, A, and K.
Other nutrients include calcium potassium, iron, as well as zinc.
In light of the fact that Tamales may be harmful to dogs, These nutrients should be obtained from safe foods specifically made for dogs.
What happens if my dog is bitten by a Tamale?
The only reason to be of immediate worry is if your dog pet consumes the cornhusk along with the Tamale. If your dog isn’t big as well, and the Tamale husk was large it may require assistance from a veterinarian to clear the obstruction.
Be vigilant with your dog and call your vet if your dog appears to be suffering. If your pet vomits and the husk oozes out There is no reason to fret. However, if your pet begins to gag, they should seek urgent help as quickly as they can.
There are symptoms to be aware of
If your dog consumes the cornhusk in a big amount and it gets stuck in the intestines and causes an obstruction. The excessive amount of sodium found in Tamales particularly canned Tamales could also cause sodium poisoning.
Finally, Tamales containing onion and garlic can cause toxicity to dogs.
Signs of obstruction can be seen in:
- Vomiting.
- Appetite loss.
- Stomachache.
- Restlessness.
- Constipation.
- Gagging.
The symptoms of signs of sodium poisoning are:
- Urination that is excessive.
- Fever.
- Muscle spasm.
- Stool that is swollen.
- Weakness.
- Convulsions.
- Dizziness.
Signs of the toxicity of garlic or onions are:
- Breathing problems.
- Vomiting.
- Weakness.
- Reduced appetite.
- Diarrhea.
Treatments for your dog if it is suffering from Tamales poisoning
If your dog appears to be having a choking moment after eating the Tamale dog, it should seek urgent help from a professional.
The vet could attempt to induce vomiting by administering hydrogen peroxide. The husk could also block the dog’s intestines where the vet might prescribe Metamucil to allow it to pass more easily. In cases of severe damage, the dog might require surgery.
The poisoning of garlic or onion could be a different issue to consider when your dog eats plenty of Tamales. A blood test can reveal the severity of the issue.
Can dogs eat Tamale husk?
Dogs are not allowed to take Tamale husk. Cornhusks are not food items. They are used to cover the Tamale and are not edible. Of course, your pets may not be aware and could eat some cornhusks in the meantime.
Cornhusk isn’t poisonous and ingesting just a tiny amount won’t hurt your pet friend.
However, it is hard to digest and could cause obstruction in your dog’s digestive tract. The risk is higher for smaller breeds of dogs since they have smaller intestines and throats.
Are dogs allowed to consume meat from Tamales? Tamales?
Dogs can indeed take the meat from the Tamales. The meat is considered to be the safest portion of Tamales – as you don’t season it with ingredients that can be harmful to animals. If you’ve prepared Tamales using just meat, they’re suitable to eat by dogs.
But, if you’ve added chilies, onions, or garlic to flavor the meat, be sure not to let your furry friends take it in.
Can dogs eat hot Tamales candy?
Dogs shouldn’t eat the hot Tamales candy. Hot Tamales are a cinnamon-flavored candy that is a sweet and spicy flavor. They are high in both corn syrup as well as sugar.
Sugar is not good for our furry companions and may cause stomach issues as well as hormone imbalance and diabetic issues. They also contain many artificial coloring and artificial ingredients which might not go well with your pet’s stomach.
Which are dog-friendly and Non-toxic Tamales alternatives?
While Tamales are packed with a significant amount of protein, fiber and vitamins and minerals, you can also take all of the nutrients in these healthy snack foods:
- Bananas are a great source of copper, potassium as well as fiber, and vitamins. Give your dog these in moderation, since they can be quite sweet.
- Apples are rich in fiber and packed with vitamins. Cut them in half and take out the seeds prior to giving them to your pet.
- The pumpkin is an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. It can help keep your dog’s digestive system and immune systems in good shape.
- Carrots are sweet and crunchy sources of fiber as well as lots of vitamins. Cut them into bite-sized pieces so that they are easy to take in.
- Eggs are packed with vitamins and protein. Feed your dog simple eggs that have been cooked and without seasoning to provide them with an energy boost.
- Peppers not chili peppers – are nutritious and anti-inflammatory snacks for dogs. Be sure to take out the insides.
When friends of mine come over to eat dinner, we generally cook 2 to three Tamale dishes. They like spicy Tamales that are seasoned with lots of spice. Because our dogs’ security is our top priority We do our best to not feed our dogs any Tamales. Here’s what we feed them instead:
How do I prepare Tamales for my pet from home?
When we cook Tamales I like to create pet-friendly versions. We make them using unseasoned meat, and then remove the husk following cooking. However, Tamales take a lot of time and effort to make so we just give them regular cooked meat. To be honest the dogs don’t know the difference between them.
Can dogs consume Tamales?
Dogs can enjoy Tamales but only if Tamales are made of simple meat, do not have any flavorings, and are served with no cornhusk. It’s recommended to only feed your dog a small portion of it. Too many tamales could be harmful to our dogs.
Related Questions:
Can dogs consume beef Tamales?
Yes, dogs are allowed to eat beef Tamales. Beef is perfectly safe for pet consumption. Be sure that the beef Tamales you feed your dog aren’t sprayed with seasoning and are free of cornhusk.
Can dogs take canned Tamales?
Dogs should not consume cans of Tamales. Canned Tamales are high in salt and contain a significant amount of preservatives. This makes them not suitable for dogs.
Can dogs eat corn Tamales on a vegan diet?
The answer is no, dogs shouldn’t consume corn Tamales as part of the vegan diet. Corn Tamales actually contain a large amount of sugar and butter. Our dogs do not require either or both of them in their food and eating them will provide our pet no purpose. The excess sugar could create an unbalance in blood sugar levels.
Can dogs eat corn? Tamales?
Dogs should not be eating corn Tamales. Corn Tamales are a sweet version of the dish, and include a lot of butter and sugar. While dogs may consume them on occasion but be cautious never to give your pet corn Tamales for too long.