Can Dogs Eat Pate?

The Short Answer is:

This is a safe answer, dogs cannot eat pate. There are several ingredients in it that are toxic to dogs, such as fat and salt. When eaten in small amounts, your dog is unlikely to suffer serious consequences if he eats it once.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Pate?“.

Over and over again its the same problem. Is it possible to share a tiny bit of food with my beloved dog?

There is no greater feeling of guilt than when your pet looks at you with those big pleading eyes and you do not know whether or not to give him a morsel of what you’re having for dinner.

Human foods are generally bad for dogs but what about pate which comes in many forms and is delicious? Is it safe for dogs? 

I am sorry but this question does not have a clear answer. Your dogs overall health the type of liver pate and of course the amount of pate you plan to feed him all play a role. The more often the better.

Our goal in this article is to discuss the different types of pate and determine which are safe for dogs and which are dangerous.

What is Liver Pate? Is Pate Okay For Dogs?

In todays world you can find liver pate in supermarkets around the world food that originates from Northern Europe. Spreads like pates are usually made with pork liver pork fat and spices depending on the recipe. It is also possible to find pate made from chicken or turkey which is generally considered healthier than pork pate.

Pate is made by grinding liver either finely or coarsely mixing it with fat eggs and spices and baking it.

This does not sound too bad on the surface but the devil is in the details. Here the details are the ingredients on the label of the pate at your local store. I’m not sure the pate is very healthy food for your dog based on its appearance. Its not up to me to decide how you take care of yourself but its up to you what you do. A dog has no say in how you take care of him. Dog owners are responsible for their dogs health so they should be careful about what they feed him.

Can Dogs Eat Liver Pate?

Dogs benefit greatly from the liver which is rich in protein vitamins and minerals. 

Beef liver provides an abundance of vitamins A B2 and B12 making it the most nutritious of them all. Moreover it contains iron copper and zinc which promote brain health cellular health and healthy bones and joints. Additionally the chicken liver has less fat than pork liver. 

Next lets examine a popular liver pate and see what it actually contains.

As an example only 33% of the liver is present. So what’s in the other 61%?

Aside from pork fat you have water milk salt eggs garlic and other spices.

The percentages of ingredients may differ between different products but here are the nutritional values for pork liver pate to give you a general idea.

The calories in one small serving of 1 oz (28.5 g) are 90. And thats just a small serving!

Additionally you’ll notice that roughly 70 percent of these calories come from fat. 7.9 grams of fat are in one serving which is quite high for a dog. 

You should always check the salt content on food labels as well. For a small serving 197 mg of salt are present. An adult in good health requires 9% of this amount per day. Thats about four or five times as much for a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore garlic may be toxic to dogs in that can of liver pate. Garlic needs to be eaten in quantities between 15 and 30 grams per kilogram of body weight for it to cause damage to dogs. Although liver pate has a much lower amount of garlic this is still something to keep in mind.

Fortunately that small serving of liver pate contains many vitamins your dog needs as well as 1.6 grams of iron which can prevent anemia.

The bottom line is that a small serving of liver pate would not cause any harm but you should not feed it to your dog every day or in large amounts.

Also keep in mind that these values refer to a serving of high-quality liver pate. Often the products you find at the supermarket are of much lower quality. Be sure to read the labels carefully before buying as the liver pate on offer might contain even less liver and a ridiculously high level of salt along with other additives. 

Can a Dog Eat Pate? Is Pate Bad for Dogs?

The difference between liver pate and pate is subtle. A paste containing mostly meat and little or no offal is known as the latter. Consider for instance this pure chicken pate which is 100% fresh human-grade meat according to its label. The product does not have any preservatives and the ingredients do not mention salt. This product contains 31% raw protein which is quite good for dogs since it supports muscle growth. 

It provides your dog with much-needed entertainment and is an excellent filler for Kong toys according to the manufacturer.

When shopping for pate made for humans those will most certainly contain salt and spices so be careful when feeding them to your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Brussels Pate? Can Dogs Eat Ardennes Pate?

Even though Brussels pate is considered to be a tasty treat by most people this product is not recommended for dogs.

When you look at the ingredients you’ll see that the product contains 32% pork liver and 32% pork fat. An adult consumes 13% of the recommended daily allowance from one small serving. Those are really too much for dogs and they can cause a lot of health issues. It is not recommended to feed fattening foods to pets that are at risk of becoming obese. The opposite is also true – too much in the diet of a dog might cause pancreatitis which is a fatal condition. 

Fat should make up no more than 10% of a dogs diet according to experts.

Are Dogs Allowed Brussels Pate?

In Brussels pate onions are also a problem. It is even worse for dogs when it comes to onions. Only one medium-sized onion can cause problems to a medium-sized 20 kg dog. Dogs can be poisoned by all parts of the onion plant but the onion powder found in Brussels pate is even more dangerous due to its higher concentration. 

Can Dogs Eat Duck Pate and Orange Pate as well?

You’ll be surprised to find out it only contains 18% duck liver in duck and orange pate. In addition pork fat is present. The majority of liver pates contain pork fat even if they’re marketed as duck or chicken pate. 

Again this delicacy contains too much salt 10% for a small serving.

Oranges should not cause problems for your dog but the product also contains added sugar. 

You would not find garlic or onions in it so thats a good thing. 

Can Dogs Eat Pate? When And Why Should You Feed Your Dog Pate?

In general pate and liver pate are not downright dangerous. You should only give your dog a pate on special occasions or in emergency situations. 

You can for example cut a pate with a firm consistency into tiny pieces which you can use as a reward when training your dog.

Additionally you can use pate bites to hide pills that your dog needs to take from time to time. 

In addition pate or meat paste can be spread on top of your dogs regular food to give it an appealing flavor. If your dog has a picky appetite or you have recently switched brands spread a little pate over it and he’ll lick the plate clean. 

Since you do not want to feed him pate all day long every day gradually reduce the amount of pate on top of his regular food until he gets used to the taste.

What is The Best Pate Recipe for Dogs?

Making your own pate is a great way to ensure your dog gets enough protein vitamins and minerals. With just a few ingredients and a blender or food processor you can make plenty of yummy pate for your pet. Furthermore it can be stored in the freezers so that you do not have to prepare meals for him every day.

You’ll need the following ingredients:

• Half of a pound of chicken liver
• 1 cup of rolled oats
• 1 cup of a flour
• 2 eggs
• Cooking oil (as needed)

You will need to chop the oats in the food processor. Place the chopped oats into a large bowl after removing them from the food processor. The chicken liver should be ground into a paste in the food processor by adding it to the blade. Then add the eggs and a spoonful of oil (or a little more) and process for a few more seconds.

Make a smooth paste with the liver paste oats and flour.

The bowl should be placed in a large dish and baked in an oven preheated to 325F/165C for 30-40 minutes.

Cut the pate into smaller pieces after it has cooled down. If your dog is already crazy from the smell give him a taste of it and store the rest in little bags in the freezer. 

Can Dogs Eat Chicken Pate?

Adding a bit of chicken liver pate to his regular food several times a week is perfectly healthy.

Conclusion (Is Pate Safe for Dogs?)

It is okay to give your dog very small amounts of meat or liver pate but be sure to check the ingredients carefully.

In addition to being a good source of protein and vitamins the liver also provides a number of health benefits. Most commercial products however contain too much fat and salt and your dog does not need either.

Do not give your dog products containing onions or garlic as these can be toxic in large quantities. Consider making some homemade dog-friendly pate and incorporating it into your dogs regular diet. 

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.