What is bacon? Is it safe for the dogs? Bacon is a type of pork made from various cuts from the pork belly. It is rich in salt and used as a minor ingredient to flavor dishes. Bacon is safe for dogs as long as not eaten in large amounts. Dogs love the smell and salty flavor of the bacon and are unable to control themselves when they see bacon. But as a responsible owner, you must look after what are they eating? A larger amount of bacon could lead to the health issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, stomach upset, etc. because it contains fat and is high in sodium. The flavor and smell of bacon have made it popular among both humans and animals. It comes from the belly, back, and side of the pigs. It is popular as an ingredient rather than an individual food. It is added to salads, kinds of pasta, and omelets. However, bacon has many disadvantages too that, as a dog owner, you should keep in mind.
Why Can’t Dogs Eat Bacon?
You can give your dog bacon but in small amounts, and that too once in a while. Its recommended giving cooked bacon because uncooked bacon contains parasites and bacteria. Bacon is not safe for the dogs due to the presence of the following substances:
1. Fat: Bacon contains high fat and is deep-fried in vegetable oil. The presence of fat could lead to various gastrointestinal diseases such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. It can also cause pancreatitis, in which the pancreas becomes inflamed and unable to break the fat and function properly. It can also lead to obesity and weight gain in the long run.
2. Spices: Bacon includes garlic powder, onion powder, honey-chipotle, pepper, and brown sugar, which gives it a delicious flavor. These spices are not good for the dogs and can cause stomach upset. In such cases, consult your vet, and he will instruct you on how to relieve your dog.
3. Salt: Bacon is rich in salt, and too much consumption can cause thirst. Your dog will drink more water than usual. This could lead to bloating, and if delayed in treatment, you can lose your pet.
4. Raw: Raw Bacon contains parasites like flukes, roundworms, and tapeworms, and bacteria which, if ingested, start to live in the body of a dog and cause muscle pain because they are on their mission of damaging the bones. It could also lead to trichinosis, which includes the symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, fever, and muscle pain.
There are a lot of ingredients that make bacon a harmful food for dogs. If your dog accidentally ate the bacon when you were not there to supervise him, then immediately call the vet because if bloating would start, it could pose a serious threat.
What Else Can You Give to Your Dog?
There are certain meats that are healthier than bacon for your dog. They include:
Beef: Beef is the most popular beef among both humans and dogs. Kibble and raw meals generally contain beef. These types of shop products are made up of the non-useable parts of the animal. This is ground to a pulp and then dried in high temperatures to form its powder. If you want your dog to eat beef, then it’s recommended to go for only organic beef as it contains low-fat content.
Chicken: Chicken is the favorite meat of humans. It is high in protein and is the best alternative. However, it is worth noting that too much protein can cause dry skin. Make sure that you provide only cage-free Chicken as it contains high levels of vitamin D as compared to the chickens kept in the cage.
Lamb: In recent years, lamb has become a popular choice of meat for dogs. Fresh lamb costs are high; therefore, dog food providers use mutton. Lamb is the best meat for dogs and provides excellent protein to dogs. Lamb is also rich in fat, but it is grown in a pasture under suitable conditions, which makes it a good choice of meat for dogs.
If you are so much keen to feed your dog meat, then go for the above alternatives. But this does not mean you make your dog habitual of eating meat only. Eating too much meat will make your dog a potato couch and obese.
Conclusion
You can feed your dog with bacon, but that should not cross a certain limit. If you got to know that your dog has consumed a full plate of bacon, then without getting panic and late, contact your vet or immediately take him to the hospital. High fat and salt content in bacon makes it poisonous to the dogs, and if not treated on time, you will lose a good friend of yours. There is good news for you that the symptoms are easy to detect, and they may include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, bloating, etc. If you see any of these symptoms, don’t delay and contact your vet.