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Yes, Dogs can eat Pork, but it’s not recommended in high doses. Pigs are scavengers, and they like to eat anything that is lying around. This includes dead animals, which might contain toxins or diseases that could be harmful to your dog if he eats this meat. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they will eat both meat and vegetables.
You may have heard that dogs can’t eat Pork because it contains a certain type of bacteria called trichinosis. However, the truth is that this isn’t true for all types of pork products–only raw or undercooked meats need to be avoided.
In fact, some people believe the myth about dogs being allergic to Pork has been around since Roman times when Romans fed their pigs with figs from trees which were toxic to their dogs.
Why is Pork Good for Dogs?
Pork is high in protein, vitamin B (including niacin, thiamine, and pantothenic acid), high in selenium, phosphorus, and zinc. Pork is very easily digested by dogs, unlike many other meat sources. Pork is also high in linoleic acid, which can help maintain your dog’s skin and coat health.
However, Pork doesn’t contain any vitamin C. Meat is an excellent source of protein for dogs and one of the few sources that can provide them with a complete profile of amino acids. Pork contains all the essential amino acids required by your dog to build new tissue.
Do you Know?
Beets are a nice side dish when you serve pork. But what about that kind of veggies for dogs? Can Dogs Eat Beets?
Why is Pork Bad for Dogs?
Raw Pork is considered toxic for dogs. It can lead to the development of trichinellosis, a disease caused by parasitic roundworms that are contracted when your dog eats raw meat infected with certain types of bacteria. This can happen if you’ve been feeding your dog leftovers from the table or if he’s been hunting for his own food.
This sickness can cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue that can last weeks. It may even be fatal. Other problems associated with pork consumption are bloating, choking, and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
Fatty foods like ribs cause the latter. It can also be caused by eating too much pork and beef together. Pork contains a relatively high percentage of fat, so it needs to supplement other food sources for energy.
What Type of Pork is Good for Dogs?
Pork to be eaten by dogs is safest when well-cooked. The risk of contracting trichinosis from cooked Pork is very slim. The bacteria that cause this disease are destroyed when the meat is heated to 137 degrees F or higher for at least 15 seconds.
This includes bacon, ham, pepperoni, and salami. These products have nitrates or nitrites that can be harmful to your dog if consumed in large quantities. Undercooked Pork has a higher risk of trichinosis, but even cooked Pork has the potential to upset your dog’s digestive tract. Raw Pork contains bacterial contamination that could lead to intoxication, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
How Much Pork Can Dogs Eat?
Pork can be included in your dog’s diet in moderate amounts, not more than 10% of his daily food intake. One great thing about pork meat is that it can be easily mixed with other dog food to make a balanced meal. Pork can also be used as an addition to homemade dog treats or simply as a treat itself.
Any leftover bones should not be given to dogs, as they may splinter and cause choking or intestinal damage. Do not feed your dog uncooked Pork or undercooked ground pork; it contains bacteria that are toxic to his health.
Commercial raw diets should also be avoided because some contain uncooked Pork and can lead to bacterial contamination and food poisoning. As such, when you ask yourself you can dogs eat pork, you should consider all the factors discussed above.
