When it comes to popular meats in the United States, ham is right up there. Ham is popular meat because of its wonderfully salty flavor, which is appreciated whether it’s served as a whole joint with a Sunday roast or in thin slices on a sandwich for lunch. Our canine companions are among the most vocal fans of this delectable protein. Wait, can a dog eat ham? And if we give in to them, will it cause more problems than it solves?
The question is whether or not ham is safe for dogs to consume.
Both yes and no might be true. While little amounts of ham are OK for your dog, big amounts should be avoided. It’s not the worst meat for your dog to ingest sometimes, but it’s not the greatest unless your dog has a preexisting medical problem.
Ham hocks as dog treats?
Rather, never eat ham bones, ever. Dogs are prone to breaking off bits of bone, which may lead to potentially fatal obstructions in the digestive tract. These bones become very soft when cooked, and if your dog chews on them, they may shatter and cause them harm in the form of oral and gastrointestinal injuries. A further danger comes from feeding your dog raw ham or ham bones, which might introduce germs that can make your dog sick.
We’ve written an essay to help you understand the risks associated with giving your dog bones.
Does anybody know whether dogs can eat ham?
I wouldn’t say that at all. Your dog’s comprehensive and balanced diet, which likely includes ham, has all the nutrients it needs to flourish. Also, the salt content of pre-sliced ham from the grocery store is too high to be healthy for your dog. In addition, the preservatives used in most prepackaged sandwich meats are sodium-based and hence bad for your dog. Despite its delicious flavor, ham has a high fat level, which may lead to gastrointestinal distress, and excessive fat consumption can induce pancreatitis, a potentially fatal disorder affecting the pancreas.
Ham as a dog treat
The occasional little bit of ham every once in a while is unlikely to be a problem, unless your dog has a special medical condition. However, we do not encourage giving ham to your dog and instead suggest that you stick to dog-friendly treats, which are far safer and yet tasty for your dog. Anyhow, before feeding your dog any human food, you should check with your vet to make sure it’s healthy for your dog’s specific breed and size.