How many of us share our snacks with our dogs? We all do. But are all snacks healthy for your dog? Probably not. Many dog owners often ask if their canines can eat deli meat.
For instance, can my dog eat salami? Let us answer this question by helping you understand what salami is and whether your dog can eat it or not.
Can My Dog Eat Salami
What is Salami?
Salami is a form of a cured meat. It is either made from air-dried or fermented meat or a combination of both. One can find salami made from pork, duck, beef, lamb, and even horse. Can you guess the one that is the most popular today?
Beef salami – Its smoky flavor makes it a great addition to dishes, especially sandwiches. Not only that, but salami is also a combination of various herbs and spices.
To boost its taste, salt, red wine, and garlic cloves are added. But can your dog eat salami? Keep reading to find out.
Should I Feed My Dog Eat Salami?
We all know that dogs love all types of meat. It is a good source of proteins and minerals. But are all kinds suitable for your dog? The answer is no.
You need to be careful with specific deli meats because they’re high in salt, cholesterol, and overall, just bad for your canine. Similarly, if you want to know if your dog can eat salami – the answer is it’s best if you avoid it. Here’s why.
Dangers of Salami For Dogs
You should know that salami can make your dog sick. How? Salami is made from ingredients that aren’t great for your dog’s health.
Firstly, salami is called a salt bomb – it contains a very high percentage of salt and sodium. Feeding salami to your dog can increase sodium levels abnormally. Bloating and increased thirst are caused due to high salt intake. Therefore, you want to limit your dog’s salt intake.
Secondly, meat is generally a good protein source. Salami, being heavily processed, is high in fat rather than protein. It is not a good snack at all for your dog.
Like humans, if dogs eat more fat regularly, the chances of getting heart problems, weight issues, and pancreatitis increase.
Thirdly, garlic is a must for salami as it makes it yummier. But is garlic safe for your dog? Not at all. According to many vets, garlic can be moderately toxic for dogs. For some, the side-effects may become severe as well, such as vomiting and weakness.
We all know that wine is a massive no for dogs. Most salami recipes include red wine. Vets strongly advise dog owners to make sure that their dogs must stay away from wine. It can lead to heart diseases. Although salami itself contains very little wine, it is best to avoid it for all the other reasons listed above.
Benefits of Salami For Dogs
Salami is a highly processed type of meat and almost no fiber. It doesn’t have any health benefits as such, except that it’ll add to your canine’s daily protein intake. But, if your pet’s diet is already varied and healthy, adding salami to it will make no nutritional difference.
Bottom Line
‘Can my dog eat salami?’ The answer to this popular question is it is best to avoid feeding your dog this particular deli meat. It’s best not to get your dogs used to a snack that is not good for them. The high salt and fat percentage can lead to several problems.
If your dog eats salami and has a sensitive tummy, watch for symptoms like diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, and increased thirst. Salami is not toxic but should be avoided.
Lisabeth
Lisabeth has been a content blog writer for almost 10 years. She had fostered many dogs in that time, including 11 Golden Retrievers. She recently adopted an Australian Shepard named Shadow.
