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, we would recommend avoiding it.  This kind of meat only contains about 50% pork along with high amounts of fat and sodium. There is a high chance other ingredients in sausages can be harmful to your dog’s digestive tract. 

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.