When their owner is eating, no dog worth its salt will sit back and let it happen. This is especially true for foods like pizza that have a strong aroma of fatty, seasoning-laden meat.
When it comes to meat, it can be especially difficult to say no to your dog as a loving parent.
One example of processed meat is pepperoni, a popular pizza topping. Because of this, many people who own pets incorrectly believe that it is completely risk-free for their animals.
However, not all meat is fine for canines to eat. Therefore, can dogs eat pepperoni? Here, you’ll find out.
Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni?
Pepperoni is not good for dogs, unfortunately. Turkey pepperoni, pepperoni jerky, pepperoni sticks, salami, and hot pepperoni are all bad for dogs because they are highly processed meats. As an additional precaution, never feed your dog pepperoni pizza.
Even though pepperoni isn’t instantly toxic to canines, it has a lot of salt, fat, calories, and preservatives that can be harmful over time.
Obesity, gastrointestinal problems, and pancreatitis are all possible side effects of pepperoni for canines.
Don’t feed your dog pepperoni; instead, choose healthy dog food and treats from the store or make them at home.
What Is Pepperoni?
Pepperoni is made from a combination of beef and pork that has been heavily processed and cured. Spicy chili peppers and paprika are used as seasoning.
Pepperoni is recognizable by its bright red color, its tender texture, and the slight smokiness of its flavor. Pepperoni is a favorite among heat-seeking diners.
Grilling pepperoni makes it even more delicious, as it takes on a crispy, chewy texture and adds a new dimension of flavor to whatever dish it is added to.
You only need a few thin slices of pepperoni to add a lot of flavor to your pizza, so that’s how it’s usually applied as a topping. It also goes well with melted cheese, making it an excellent topping for pizza.
Is pepperoni safe for dogs?
Pepperoni poses a number of health risks to dogs and should be avoided. You might think that only massive doses can make your dog sick, but Dr. Sievert told The Dodo that this is not necessarily the case.
Pepperoni is not only fatty and salty, but also quite spicy. Dr. Sievert warns that the “tasty” additions of paprika, fennel seeds, black pepper, and garlic powder can have disastrous consequences for the dog’s health.
If you feed your dog pepperoni, they may experience stomach distress in the form of diarrhea and vomiting.
Why Is Pepperoni Bad for Dogs?
Some pepperoni is better than none, but even a little bit can harm your dog. There are a few major problems with giving your pet this kind of meat:
1.Pepperoni is high in calories and therefore could be harmful to your dog’s diet. Overfeeding your dog on high-calorie human foods is bad for his health because it causes rapid weight gain and can have lasting effects on his wellbeing.
2.Many pepperoni pizza recipes call for garlic and onion, or garlic powder and onion powder, to up the ante on flavor. Large doses of these substances can be harmful to a dog’s red blood cells and are therefore toxic.
A dog may be able to handle the small amount of garlic or onion in a piece of pepperoni without any major health issues, but a large amount of pepperoni should be avoided, especially in a small dog breed.
3.Excessive sodium levels: pepperoni, a variety of salami, has a lot of salt. An overly salty diet can cause dehydration in your dog and, in extreme cases, sodium ion poisoning (also known as “salt poisoning”) or kidney damage.
Excessive thirst, decreased or absent urination, loss of appetite, dry gums, vomiting, and diarrhea are all signs that your dog may have consumed too much sodium in its diet.
4.Foods high in saturated fats, such as pepperoni, can cause your dog to have an upset stomach, bloat, and other digestive problems because his stomach isn’t designed to digest such large amounts of fat.
Heart disease and pancreatitis (the pancreas swelling) are two long-term issues that may arise.
5.Many pepperonis have a spicier taste thanks to the addition of spices like peppers, paprika, cayenne, black pepper, fennel seeds, and other seasonings and additives.
Your dog’s digestive system is sensitive, and spicy foods can irritate it, causing abdominal pain and gas.
Are Pepperoni Slices Safe for Dogs?
Dogs should eat mostly meat due to their carnivorous nature. Yet highly processed meats are not good for dogs. Sausage might be an option, some might ask. Most dogs don’t seem to mind them.
Due to the excessive amount of fat they contain, sausages should not be fed to dogs.
Pepperoni is the same way because it contains a lot of fat that is bad for dogs.
While a dog may be able to handle a few slices of pepperoni without any ill effects, a large serving could make him sick.
How Pepperoni Makes Your Dog Sick
Feeding a dog a lot of highly processed and cured meat can make them sick. On the other hand, if a dog has never had this kind of meat before, even a small amount can be harmful to their health.
Pepperoni is fatty and spicy. Dogs shouldn’t be fed spicy foods because their digestive systems can’t handle them.
Pepperoni is a pizza topping that gets its flavor from a long list of additional ingredients. None of these seasonings are good for a dog, and they include things like mustard seeds, paprika, fennel seeds, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Dogs should eat a diet that is mostly composed of unseasoned, flavorless foods.
Therefore, if you give your dog a large amount of pepperoni, they may experience gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea and vomiting.
If you don’t watch how much pepperoni your dog gets, its high fat content could lead to weight gain.
Since 100 grams of pepperoni can contain as many as 500 calories, you can see why this is a problem. However, the dog will not benefit from these calories because of their poor quality.
An excessive amount of pepperoni can cause weight gain in smaller dogs more so than in larger ones.
Larger animals can eat more pepperoni than usual, but they should still get plenty of exercise afterward. Yet, you should not do that.
When considering the effects of pepperoni on your dog’s health, it’s also important to think about the type of meat it’s made from. Pardon the pun, but turkey pepperoni is notorious for its excessive salt content.
Too much salt in a dog’s diet can raise its blood pressure and make it more susceptible to cardiovascular disease. The dog’s digestive tract may be overworked, leading to problems like pancreatitis.
Alternatives to Pepperoni
If pepperoni is too much for you to give your dog, try one of these other high-quality, tasty options instead.
Chicken
Chicken is a fantastic choice because it is well-liked by humans, is readily available, and won’t break the bank. Chicken is another canine favorite, but be careful not to over-oil it when preparing it for your dog. Better yet, if your dog is used to eating raw meat, you should serve raw chicken.
Fish
Dogs also have a strong preference for fish, particularly when it has been cooked. Unlike other meats, fish doesn’t need any seasoning for your dog to enjoy it.
Liver
Your dog will enjoy the health benefits and the delicious flavor of liver. Because dogs enjoy liver so much, you can use liver treats to your advantage when training.
Dehydrated Meat
If you have access to a dehydrator, you can make your pet a variety of meat jerky treats.
Making these treats at home allows you to control what goes into them, protecting your dog’s health.
Conclusion
It’s only natural to want to treat Fido to a slice of the pepperoni pizza you’re enjoying so much. Nonetheless, moderation is required.
A few pepperoni treats here and there shouldn’t hurt your dog, but too much of anything is bad. Unlike humans, dogs have little say in what they eat, so it’s important to be selective if you care about your pet’s health.