Can Dogs Eat Raw Bacon?

The purpose of this research is to explain the “Can Dogs Eat Raw Bacon?“.

There is one thing that humans and dogs have in common: they both love the smell of bacon.

We have all experienced this situation you are cooking some bacon and your dog is immediately at your side demanding some as well.

Can you share your precious bacon with your best friend?

No matter how tempting it may be to give your dog a nice rasher of raw bacon bacon is not appropriate food for dogs and should not be given to them.

In this research we’ll address some of the most frequent questions about whether its safe to feed your dog raw bacon. 

So why can’t I give my dog raw bacon?

Bacon may not cause serious harm when consumed in small quantities but bacon contains a lot of preservatives sodium and fat which can cause digestive problems for your dog if consumed in large quantities.

Not to mention that bacon grease can clog up your dogs arteries!

If your dog gives you the eyes and asks you for some bacon you need to resist the urge!

The regular feeding of raw bacon to your dog can also cause pancreatitis a condition that disrupts digestion.

The pharmacists at the Pet Health Pharmacy say that smaller dogs like Miniature Schnauzers miniature poodles and cocker spaniels are more prone to pancreatitis than larger dogs.

You may find it difficult to say no to your dog sometimes but it is really in their best interest.

Your dog can also become salt poisoned from bacons high salt content.

The symptoms of salt poisoning include vomiting diarrhea and a loss of appetite.

Bacon along with other salty foods can also cause your dog to become dehydrated resulting in them drinking more water which can possibly lead to bloat a potentially lethal condition in which the dogs stomach twists.  

What are the symptoms of my dog feeling poorly after eating raw bacon?

Despite your best efforts if you regularly consume bacon some of it will eventually make its way into your dogs mouth. 

A small amount of bacon in your dogs stomach should not cause alarm if it ingests it.

If your dog eats an excessive amount of raw bacon this could pose a serious problem that requires immediate medical attention.

Dogs trying to purge their system of raw bacon usually vomit and diarrhea after eating it.

As a result they will be unlikely to be able to get rid of it once they have digested.

 When your dog is walking in a strange way or reacts strangely when you try to pet them this is another sign that your dog may be suffering from abdominal pain. 

It may be because your dog has been suffering from sore muscles or a fever if they seem to be sleeping a lot or not interested in what they used to enjoy doing.

You should contact your veterinarian if your dog displays any of these symptoms after eating something it should not have. Lethargy is one of the tell-tale signs your dog has eaten something it should not have. 

It could be that your dog is suffering from a parasitic infection if it is having to trouble drinking water or appears weak in general. 

What about bacon fat?

Bacon fat however is unfortunately not one of those healthy fats for your dogs skin or coat.

Nevertheless I have written a whole research on the topic of whether dogs should or should not eat bacon grease.

Just like vegetable oil grease and butter bacon fat is not safe for your dog to consume and can result in health problems such as obesity and pancreatitis.

You should feed your dog Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids instead of bacon fat. If you plan to change your dogs diet significantly consult your veterinarian first.

Can I feed my dog uncooked pork?

It looks like raw bacon is not a good idea.

Is there any other type of pork available?

Raw pork can also give your dog a parasitic infection called Trichinella Spiralis (also known as pork roundworm).

Trichinosis causes a lot of pain and inflammation in your dogs muscles along with typical symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. 

Donot let your pooch get his hands on any uncooked pork products! 

Can I feed my dog cooked bacon?

So we know uncooked bacon isnot a good idea but how about cooked bacon?

The risk of catching a parasitic infection from cooked bacon is much less than that from raw bacon which still contains a lot of fat and salt.

You should not have too many issues as long as you feed your dog small amounts of cooked bacon on occasion.

Even small amounts of bacon can cause your dog digestive problems so be wary about whether it is worth it. Bacon is very salty and rich so think carefully before giving it to your dog. 

In case you decide to feed your dog cooked bacon make sure that all the grease has been drained off first.

Moreover it is important to feed your dog in small amounts. If you have a large dog then you should feed it 12 rashers and if you have a small dog then you should feed it 14. 

Alternatively if you decide that its not worth the risk to feed your dog cooked bacon you may also want to consider one of the many “bacon-flavored” dogs treats available currently. 

What is better for dogs raw or cooked meat?

For dogs it is always safer to cook the meat first so it is easier for them to digest.

Unlike domesticated dogs wild dogs are accustomed to eating raw meat but they tend to have a much shorter life expectancy.

Bacteria such as Salmonella and E Coli may be found in raw meat.

You can ensure that these harmful bacteria have been killed off by properly cooking meat before feeding it to your dog. 

Despite the fact that raw meat is not particularly good for your dog there are plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that are beneficial.

Carrots apples and bananas can all be eaten by your dog.

Accordingly it is crucial to provide your dog with a balanced diet so that they receive the proper nutrition they require.

You should follow the 90/10 rule meaning that 90% of your dogs food should come from proper dog food and 10% should come from treats.

What is the best raw meat for dogs?

Raw diets for dogs are controversial with many questioning their nutritional value. However there are also people who swear by them. 

Chicken wings turkey necks beef tail bones and lamb ribs are good sources of calcium and protein respectively. Organ meats such as liver and kidney are also packed with vitamins that are good for your dog. Protein-rich muscle meats such as ground beef and bison meat help dogs build strong muscles. 

Whatever you do make sure that your dog isnot getting too much fat. Fat should not make up more than 20% of your dogs diet as this will cause them to gain weight. Meats that are low in fat include turkey rabbit and fish. 

Be sure to consult your veterinarian before making major changes to your dogs diet!

Conclusion

Therefore should you feed raw bacon to your dog? Definitely not! Small amounts of raw bacon should not pose too many problems but feeding your dog raw bacon regularly can lead to a number of serious health problems. 

Make sure you do not leave any uncooked bacon lying around the house. As a result it is ideal if your dog is well-trained so that he does not eat other peoples food. 

I am still not convinced that a raw dog diet is right for my dog. Instead you should feed your dog regular dog food along with an occasional treat. Make sure the bacon is cooked prior to feeding it to your dog.

If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.

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