Can Dogs Eat Sausage? How to Safely Feed Sausage to Your Dog

Sausages are usually a family food favorite – and for good reasons. They can be prepared in a variety of ways and simply taste delicious. As they say, sausage makes everything better – but are dog treats included? Can dogs eat sausage?

If you have been looking for new, tasty foods for your best friend, you might have considered using sausage in place of boring old dog biscuits and treats.

It just might surprise you both with the reaction it gets from your pet! With all that in mind, it makes sense to wonder what the best way is to safely feed sausage to your dog.

As a precaution, you may not want to feed your pups too much of it. There are many reasons why you shouldn’t give them sausage on a regular basis, and in this post are some of the most important ones.

Is Sausage Harmful to Dogs?

You might drop by a local deli for your own savories, and as you glance at the display you suddenly wonder “can dogs have Italian sausage?”, for example.

For starters, there’s nothing quite like the smell of sausage on the grill. It’s a smell that reminds us of summer cookouts, football games, and just being outside. Whether you’re having a family get-together or hosting a tailgate party, there’s no doubt that sausages will make an appearance at your event.

But what about your dog? When it comes to feeding your pup this favorite family staple, there are actually some things you should know before giving it to your dog.

While humans have been enjoying the flavor of sausage for years, dogs were not created with this tasty treat in mind. Dogs’ digestive systems are completely different from ours—they don’t digest meat like we do.

Because their bodies are so different from ours, many people believe that dogs shouldn’t eat certain foods like pork or beef because they may cause internal damage over time if consumed regularly.

This is especially concerning when it comes to feeding your pup pork products because they contain high levels of sodium nitrite which can be toxic if ingested regularly. Let’s have a look together at the different reasons why sausage is not really something that I would recommend you feed your dog.

Why Is Sausage Harmful to Dogs?

Sausage is a popular food that many dogs and their owners enjoy, but is it safe for dogs to eat? Here are the reasons why sausage is harmful to dogs.

different kinds of sausages in a big pan
  • Sausage contains nitrates, which can cause stomach problems or even cancer.
  • Sausage contains salt, which can raise blood pressure in your pet over time and make them more likely to get heart disease or kidney disease later on in life.
  •  The sausage casing itself may be harmful to your dog if they swallow it whole because it could cause an obstruction in their intestines or other organs inside their body cavity (like their stomach). It could also cause choking if the casing got stuck in their throat while trying to swallow it down whole instead of chewing first before swallowing again afterwards.
  • Sausage is high in fat, which can lead to pancreatitis.
  • The preservatives used in processed meats can be harmful to your dog’s digestive system. The most common preservative used is sodium nitrite, which can be toxic to dogs if consumed in large enough quantities. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even death.
  • Some sausages may have sugar added to them, which is not if consumed in high amounts over time by your dog.

Tips for Feeding Your Dog Sausage Safely

Can dogs eat cooked sausage? Yes, they can! Sausage is a delicious addition to your dog’s diet, but it can be dangerous if consumed in large amounts. Here are some tips for safely feeding your dog sausage:

  • Choose the right kind of sausage for your dog. Sausage should be low-fat content and made from chicken, turkey, or beef. Avoid pork sausage because it can cause pancreatitis in dogs.
  • Feed your dog small amounts of sausage throughout the day instead of one large serving at once. This will help prevent bloating or other digestive issues that may occur with too much fat in their diet.
  • Only feed your dog dry sausages that have been cooked thoroughly until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Raw sausages are not safe for dogs because they may contain bacteria that could make them sick or even kill them if eaten uncooked.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Eats Sausage?

While there are certainly benefits to feeding your dog sausage, there are also potential risks associated with doing so. Some types of sausage contain ingredients that may cause gastrointestinal problems in dogs or lead to allergic reactions if ingested regularly over time.

person hand feeding a dog with brown and white coat

Here are some steps you can take in case your pup accidentally ingests sausage that is not part of their diet:

First, determine whether or not there is any sausage left in your dog’s mouth. If so, remove it with your fingers.

Next, check for any signs of vomiting or diarrhea. If there is no vomiting or diarrhea within 1-2 hours after sausage ingestion, and if there are no other symptoms, you can wait and observe your dog closely for 24 hours without taking any action other than monitoring. If you see either symptom during that time frame, contact your veterinarian.

If there are no signs of vomiting or diarrhea within 1-2 hours after sausage ingestion, and no other symptoms present at all during that time frame, give your dog a small meal such as 1/4 cup of their usual food, and then monitor closely for another 8 hours without taking any additional action.

If there are no additional symptoms during that time frame, then you can consider this an isolated incident and resume normal feeding practices at this point.

Alternatives to Sausage

Sausage is a tasty treat for your dog, but it’s not the best choice of food. There are many alternative foods you can feed your dogs, instead of sausage.

One of the most common alternatives to sausage is chicken. Chicken is a great option for dogs who have allergies or sensitivities to other meats. Chicken is also a better choice than turkey, which has more fat and calories than chicken.

Another alternative to sausage is beef. Beef is another great meat that is high in protein and can provide some much-needed nutrients for your dog’s diet. Beef also comes in many different varieties, so there are plenty of options for feeding your dog this alternative food.

Finally, you can also feed your dog fish as an alternative to sausage. As long as you choose low-mercury fish like salmon or cod, there shouldn’t be any problems with giving this type of meaty treat to your pet.

For other possible alternatives that might have crossed your mind, I wrote about can dogs eat turkey burgers and can dogs eat hot dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Pork Sausages?

Yes! Dogs can eat pork sausages as long as they’re cooked thoroughly and you don’t give them too much of it at once. Cooking pork sausages will kill any bacteria or parasites inside them and make them safe for your dog to eat.

sausages on a wooden board with tomatoes

Make sure to also check how the sausages are manufactured and what’s in them, as a lot of sausages contain preservatives, additives, and salt or sugar, all of which could be harmful to our fur buddies.

Is Breakfast Sausage Okay for Dogs?

Yes, dogs can eat breakfast sausage, or any sausage for that matter. But I don’t recommend it as a regular part of your dog’s diet.

That’s because sausages are made from meat by-products, which means they’re full of stuff that could be bad for your dog. And while the meat itself is fine for dogs, there may be other additives in the sausage that are not good for them.

For example, some sausages contain sugars or preservatives that can be unhealthy for dogs. Thinking of adding seasoning to your dog’s dishes? Here is another post I wrote to answer the question can dogs eat barbecue sauce, which can help you decide. Hope it helps!

Is Raw Pork Sausage Bad for Dogs?

Can dogs eat raw sausage? No, this is highly discouraged. There’s a great chance that your dog will get sick from eating raw pork sausage because the meat can be contaminated with salmonella or other bacteria.

Conclusion

In the end, there’s no reason not to give your dog some sausage. It’s a safe, tasty part of any high-quality diet, and it can be a great way to treat your furry friend (in moderation, of course).

Sausages can also be helpful as treats in training your dog to sit, lie down, stay, roll over and more. Be sure to always supervise your dog while they are eating sausages just like you would a child. And of course, just remember to make sure that you’re giving him or her the “good stuff”!

Looking for more posts on what we can or cannot feed our furry friends? Just keep checking in for more information on how we can make our canine companions live their healthiest and happiest! See you around!

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Lovelia Horn

I’m a certified crazy dog mom, a physical therapist (for hoomans), writer, animal rescuer, and foster home provider. Together with my hubby Ryan, I’ve fostered and helped look for forever homes for over a hundred shelter dogs in the Southern Illinois area. I mostly work with Puppy Rescue 911, Inc., a certified animal rescue organization based out of Chester, IL (home of Popeye!)

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