Hambones really shouldn’t be given to your dog because of the potential risks they pose on your dog’s health. When bones are cooked, they can easily splinter when a dog starts to chew on them. Those splinters can puncture your dog’s esophagus, intestinal tract, and stomach.

Raw bones are still a choking hazard and risk to your dog if you’re not closely watching them. You’ll know if your dog is suffering from a ham bone infection or complication if you notice: 

• Bloody stool
• Fatigue
• Dental problems 
• Vomiting 

There are plenty of dog-friendly bones that are safe to give your dog. Some come with different flavors or fillings, making them even more appetizing to your favorite companion. With other options in pet stores everywhere, it’s better to play it safe and avoid giving into letting them knaw on a ham bone. 

Hot dogs are a great summer cookout and ballpark food. There’s no question about that. But, are hot dogs safe to feed your dog?

Unfortunately, hot dogs are not meat that should be given to your dog because there are many ingredients that are unrecognizable. Those ingredients are risky and can be toxic to your animal, so it’s better to err on the side of caution and feed your dog an alternative treat.  Some hot dog components that can be toxic for dogs: 

• Monosodium glutamate (MSG) 
• Sugar
• Sodium Nitrate
• Artificial Sweeteners 
• Onion
• Garlic 

The sodium levels of hot dogs are what make them so concerning for your dog. The American Kennel Club states that a dog that weighs approximately 33 pounds only needs 200 milligrams of sodium every day.  If you look at a hot dog’s ingredient list, you’ll see that it contains more than 500 milligrams of sodium.

Giving your dog just one-half of that hot dog already puts him/her over their limit for the day and then some. Too much sodium will dehydrate your dog and possibly influence their blood pressure.

So, the general consensus is to avoid ever sharing your favorite cookout meal with your dog. 

This is a kind of meat that is not recommended to ever feed your dog. As we mentioned above, the best kind of meats to share with your dog are lean meats. Pepperoni is full of sodium and fat, both of which can negatively affect your dog’s health.

There are also various seasonings and spices that go into the creation of pepperoni (garlic and onion included) that can be quite unsafe for your dog to consume. If you give your dog pepperoni regularly, you’re putting them at risk for salt poisoning, pancreatitis, kidney damage, and digestive issues.  A few slices will not kill your dog by any means, but you need to be extremely careful because of how processed this kind of meat is. Smaller dogs most likely respond differently than larger dogs since their internal organs and everyday nutritional needs vary. Nonetheless, large dog breeds will still be harmed by the ingredients in pepperoni. If your dog happens to eat a few slices over a short amount of time, pay attention to these possible symptoms: 

• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Heightened thirst 
• Increased urination 

A general rule of thumb if you ever decide to give your dog pepperoni (even though it is advised to avoid this in their diet), only allow them one slice of pepperoni every three months.

In general, yes, you are able to feed your dog pork as long as you follow a few simple rules and keep the cooking basic.

Pork alone does not contain anything poisonous that would harm your dog’s body but you still need to watch out for their bones. A pork chop bone or pork rib bone should not be given to dogs because they can hurt their mouth and gums.

More importantly, dogs will try to swallow them which will cause them to choke or cause an obstruction in their digestive tract. A bone that has been cooked can be even more dangerous for your dog if it is consumed. Those bones are prone to breaking easily since they were softened, and in turn, can enter a dog’s intestinal tract. This puts your dog at risk for sepsis and death.

Pork can be a high source of protein for your dog, but be sure to serve it in moderation because of its fatty and sodium richness. A dog’s stomach is not necessarily equipped to handle high levels of either, so just make sure you’re giving your dog a balanced diet. 

Salami is not necessarily toxic to your dog, but it is another meat high in fat and sodium, putting your dog at risk for salt poisoning, pancreatitis, and kidney damage.  These kinds of severe illnesses would only happen with over-consumption, especially if you own a small dog. However, too much salt and fat can influence your dog’s hydration levels and weight gain.  If you look at what salami is made of, you’ll see that most of its ingredients can be harmful to your dog’s health. These ingredients include: 

• Meat (beef or pork)
• Fat
• Garlic
• Herbs
• Salt
• Spices
• Vinegar 

One small slice of this will not hurt your dog, but again, small dogs may react to it differently. You also need to keep in mind that every dog’s digestive system is different just like humans, so some dogs may feel fine and some may experience some aggressive symptoms. After all, most of the salami’s ingredients are toxic to dogs. The symptoms to look out for include: 

• Vomiting 
• Increased thirst 
• Excessive urination
• Trembling
• Diarrhea 
• High body temperature 
• Seizures 

If you see your dog exhibiting any of these symptoms, get them to drink plenty of water and refer to your veterinarian for further instruction. 

If you’re referring to plain sausage (not sausage meat, sausage rolls, flavored sausage, etc), then sausage in moderation is generally okay to share with your dog. However, this kind of meat only contains about 50% pork along with high amounts of fat and sodium.

It may be best to choose another source of protein for your dog because of the risks sausage can bring to their bodies. There are plenty of other healthier options such as chicken or turkey to give your dog instead!  Apart from the processed fats and high sodium within the meat, there is a chance you could feed your dog a sausage that is undercooked or contaminated.

If your dog eats a piece of contaminated sausage, there’s a chance they could get severely sick from a parasite infection known as Trichinosis. If your dog ate contaminated sausage, look out for these possible systems: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite 
• Lethargic 

Make sure you’re refilling your dog’s water bowl constantly and encourage them to drink water as much as possible. This will rehydrate their bodies and hopefully make them feel a bit better. If their symptoms do not improve, call your veterinarian and ask about bringing them in to get checked. 

Yes, steak is meat you are able to offer your dog in moderation! The most important aspect to consider is the way that you cook the meat. Just like when you cook it for people, you want it cooked all the way through and to avoid any sort of potential contamination.  Steak holds various nutrients that are actually great additions to your dog’s balanced diet. This meat is rich in iron, protein, and omega-6 fatty acids, all of which provide numerous benefits to your dog’s overall health. Some of those benefits include: 

• Muscle Tone
• Joint Health 
• Skin Health
• Hair Health 
• Shiny Coat 

Remember that the fat attached to meat can be quite difficult for dogs to digest, so be sure to cut off any of that excess fat. There are a few ways you can serve your dog the steak as well.  Always cut the steak into bite-sized pieces and have it cooked medium-well to avoid any illnesses developed by undercooked meat. You could add some pieces to the top of their dog food bowl when it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You could also use the cut-up pieces as treats when training or teaching your dog a new trick!