Can Dogs Eat Sausage? How to Feed Your Dog Sausage
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jun 16, 2022 • 2 min read
Your dog may look up at you with pleading eyes when you’re cooking up pork sausages. A small piece of sausage is okay for your furry friend, but regularly feeding your dog hot dogs or breakfast sausages can lead to an upset stomach.
Learn From the Best
Can Dogs Eat Sausage?
Dogs can safely eat unseasoned sausage in small amounts and in moderation. Be sure to thoroughly cook the sausages and cut them into small pieces. The high salt and fat content in sausages can be detrimental to your pooch’s health. Oily sausage grease and spicier seasonings can also be unhealthy for a dog’s diet and can lead to stomach aches and, when consumed in excess, obesity. The overconsumption of sausage may contribute to diabetes, kidney damage, pancreatitis, and other adverse side effects.
How to Safely Feed Sausage to Dogs
If you do want to prepare sausage and give your dog a few small bites, follow these safety tips:
- 1. Avoid seasonings. Garlic powder, red pepper flakes, onion powder, and other seasonings can damage your dog’s red blood cells. Check your grocery store’s sausage ingredients and opt for plain varieties.
- 2. Bake the sausage. It is best to bake sausage for your dog—sautéeing or frying sausage requires too much oil. Bake the sausage in the oven and then wipe it off with a paper towel to remove any excess grease. Raw sausage can contain salmonella or E. coli, so thoroughly cook the sausage before feeding it to your dog.
- 3. Cut the sausage into smaller pieces. A large amount of sausage can be a choking hazard. Cut up sausage into smaller portions and feed them slowly to your dog. You can also add a bit of sausage to dog food.
- 4. Monitor your dog’s reaction. Prioritize your dog’s health and see how your pet reacts to the food. As with any new food, monitor your dog’s response before feeding more sausage pieces.
To raise a healthy dog, seek out doggy treats explicitly made for pets with health in mind. There are meat-flavored ones to satiate your dog’s appetite.
Before Sharing Human Food With Your Pooch
Certain human foods and beverages can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these items to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Want to Learn More About Training the Goodest Boy or Girl?
Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.