Is Ham Ok For Dogs? 7 Reasons Why Ham Is Harmful To Dogs

Is ham ok for dogs? Is it ok to feed a few slices of ham to your dog? Is it safe or a big mistake? Today we will be taking an in-depth look at is ham ok for dogs?

Its Almost Holiday Season

As the holiday season is fast approaching, the tables will soon be ladened with a delicious array of mouth-watering savories.

Within this array, no doubt, there will be some ham. You can see the scene now everyone sat around the dinner table friends, family, and of course, your dog. Dog owners know what it feels like when their dog unleashes the power of its eyes on you when you are eating something.

Your dog will work its magic into making you feel guilty for not sharing your delicious food with them.

As cute as it is, sometimes, this situation can turn into an unpleasant one. Imagine that you are at the holiday dinner table; you feed your dog some ham out of guilt. A while later, you run to the vet’s with an even bigger guilt feeling and a very sick dog.

Most owners know what I’m talking about; they have experienced this scenario. So is ham ok for dogs? The following paragraphs discuss this issue in detail.

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Is Ham Ok For Dogs?

The simple answer is no. Ham is not ok for dogs. You may not see any severe effects if your dog manages to sneak a small piece off the table. The basic composition is extremely harmful.

The high sodium levels in ham are one reason it is bad for your dog as they can not digest it. Dogs are more sensitive to sodium than humans. There are also higher levels of fats in ham, which are not good for your dog.

These increased sodium and fat levels can be even more damaging to your dog if it has heart issues, weight issues, or similar conditions. Ham should be completed avoided in this case.

Ham is a type of pork, so there is a greater chance of worms or harmful bacteria being present in it even if cooked or cured. Cooked ham can be more harmful to dogs because of the way it is prepared.

The main problems that come from cooked or cured ham are that it has been seasoned. Cured ham is usually smoked or salted, which can also be harmful to your dog because of the increased amounts of sodium.

The protein found in ham is not very high-quality. Ham, for many dogs, can also be rather difficult to digest.

Health Issues

When looking at the question, is ham ok for dogs? We need to look at the health issues that dogs may experience because of eating or overconsumption of ham.

Below will be some of the health issues that may affect your dog. If you notice your dog displaying any of the following symptoms, you should contact your vet.

Lethargy

You may notice your dog is unenthusiastic, depressed, tired, or in general, shows no interest in anything. If you notice a change in your dog’s mood, you should check to see if any other symptoms are present.

Diarrhea And Vomiting

A common side effect of ham not agreeing with your dog is that it will usually throw it back up within a few hours of consuming it. Alongside this, our dog may have accidents around the house, which may be diarrhea or vomiting.

If diarrhea and vomiting last for more than a couple of days, I would recommend visiting the vet to be safe.

Bloating

The increased salt content in ham will cause your dog to drink more water in a shorter time because of excessive thirst. Larger dogs will also have an increased air intake due to the suddenly increased amount of water.

The main issue that comes with the above is the possibility that this can cause your dog’s stomach to twist within a few hours, which can be potentially fatal to your dog.

Pancreatitis

One of the more serious issues when looking at the question is ham ok for dogs? Is pancreatitis this is because of the increased amount of salt and fat found in ham can cause the pancreas to become inflamed.

The secretion of pancreatic juice might cause the dog’s body to digest its pancreas and damage other internal organs! If left untreated, this can be fatal to your dog.

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Allergies

I always recommend that you start feeding your dog a new food in small quantities. Simply because of potential allergies. Even though you know now that ham is not suitable for your dog, accidents happen, and your dog may steal some ham.

If your dog manages to eat some ham and the ham disagrees with your dog, they may display the following signs of an allergic reaction, vomiting, itching, a rash, etc.

Keep an eye out for any of these signs and call your vet if you think your dog is suffering an allergic reaction.

Internal Injuries

If your dog gets a hold of the ham bones and chews on them, they can splinter and cause serious injuries. Cooked bones are not great for dogs because they become dehydrated and brittle when cooked, which can create choking hazards for your dog.

They can also get lodged in the stomach or intestines and may have to be surgically removed.

Long Term Problems

Heart problems can occur with long-term consumption of fatty and salty foods. It can also lead to obesity, which can lead to joint problems, diabetes, blood pressure, etc. It can also cause arthritis.

Last Words

Is ham ok for dogs? We have learned through this article that ham is generally bad for your dog. However, it will not cause any problems if fed in small amounts once in a while. Ham and ham fat are usually unhealthy foods that are not good.

As each dog is unique, it’s essential to realize that it’s difficult to say what can happen if a dog consumes ham. Some dogs will digest ham easily, while others will struggle even with a small amount.

The best and simplest advice would be to avoid feeding your dog ham at all. Feed your dog the specially-formulated dog food instead. Although it is high-priced, it still is cheaper than the cost of future health problems.

Originally published at https://doolallydogs.com.