Can Dogs Eat Raw Pork?

The Short Answer is:

Dogs should not consume raw pork. This is because it contains harmful bacteria that can cause your dog’s illness, as well as a high-fat content that may cause digestion problems.

The purpose of this article is to explain the “Can Dogs Eat Raw Pork?“.

Dogs should not consume raw pork. This is because it contains harmful bacteria that can cause your dogs illness as well as a high-fat content that may cause digestion problems. 

If your dog has eaten a lot of raw pork it would be best if you contact your veterinarian.

The veterinarian will usually ask you to keep an eye on your pet for any signs of discomfort or illness and to bring them into the clinic only when they show those signs. 

As long as your dog shows no signs of illness it probably ate only a small amount of pork and you need not be concerned.

Be on the lookout for stomach issues for a few days following consumption.  

You should always check if any new types of food are dog-friendly before giving them to your dog to avoid any upset.

With a simple google search you can figure this out so there is no reason for you to give your dog anything that may poison it or make it ill. 

What Are The Dangers Of Dogs Eating Raw Pork?

As with any raw meat pork can contain a number of harmful bacteria.

Pork does have a variety of health benefits like being high in protein and minerals but when eaten raw this meat is especially notorious for harboring parasites such as tapeworms.

Pork is generally only recommended for consumption by humans and animals when it has been cooked. 

What Are The Potential Side Effects Of Your Dog Eating Contaminated Raw Pork?

A dogs health can be at risk if it is fed uncooked pork.

There is a parasite inside of it called trichinella spiralis larvae that can cause infections such as trichinosis. 

The symptoms of this can include vomiting diarrhea fever tiredness stiffness and pain especially around the stomach. 

It is extremely unlikely that your dog will die from this illness but it will make your dog very ill. In order to prevent them from becoming ill you should steer clear of feeding your pup raw pork. 

Should You Phone The Vet Or Is There Something You Can Do At Home?

Generally if your dog has eaten only a small amount of raw pork then it will be fine.

You should only take your dog to the veterinarian if he or she is displaying symptoms of infection even if he or she has eaten a lot.

Keep your vet bill low and avoid wasting your veterinarians time by doing this. 

As a first step it would be best to call your vet and follow their advice based on how much pork your dog ate.

Any symptoms your dog is showing (if any) will determine how they suggest treating it.

Most often they will simply suggest that you keep an eye on your dog for any signs of infection.  

How Might Pork Fat Make Your Dog?

Pork is another problem with dogs eating it because this meat is high in fat.

This is extremely difficult for dogs to digest and can lead to numerous health issues such as indigestion gastrointestinal problems or in the worst cases pancreatitis. 

Instead your dog can consume healthy fats such as fish oils which will help them maintain a balanced diet and keep their coat healthy. Eggs nut butter and avocados can also be included as healthy fats in their diet.

By doing this they will avoid stomach problems while still getting the treats they deserve. 

What Are The Dangers Of Your Dog Eating Pork Bone?

In addition to having many health benefits raw bones are often recommended by veterinarians to dogs after they eat since they remove plaque buildup from their teeth.

However these should never be pork or poultry bones!

Pork and poultry bones when chewed on by your dog are more prone to shattering or splintering.

Therefore they can cause severe choking hazards intestinal blockages and injuries to the mouth or throat which may require surgery or even result in death for your dog.

In case you give your dog a bone you should only give it to them for a few minutes before removing it and you should supervise them while they chew it. 

Is There Any Meat Which Is Safe For Your Dog To Eat Raw?

You can make meat more digestible for your dog by cooking it.

Although it is generally not recommended by veterinarians dogs can eat some raw meat without getting ill.

If you consume too much raw meat in an unbalanced diet you may suffer from nutritional deficiencies. 

You should only give your dog small amounts of raw meat if you are feeding it raw.

Choose raw vegetables and fruit such as apples carrots and bananas that are safe for dogs.

They should only be given as treats and not as the sole source of nutrition but they can be incorporated into homemade dog foods to give your dog a variety of nutrients. 

What Is The Nutrition In Pork (Chop)?

Pork chops have about 211 calories per serving nutritionally. There are 11 grams of fat 84mg of cholesterol 514mg of sodium 0 grams of carbohydrates and over 28g of protein in one serving. 

Consequently this meat is around 97% protein and low in carbs.

Despite being around 61% fat this meat is clearly a very nutritious treat as part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

This meat will help your dog gain muscle and keep him lean but if eaten too often it will make him fat.

What Is The Safest Way To Prepare Pork For Your Dog?

The safest way to prepare pork for your dog is to chop it into small bite-size pieces and bake it in a lightly sprayed pan for about 20 minutes.

Only lean cuts of pork should be used for this.

If you trim off most of the fat your dog will be able to digest the pork more easily and may avoid stomach problems in the future. 

By baking pork with a variety of dog-safe vegetables hard-boiled eggs and brown rice you can make homemade dog food.

This will be a hit with your dog and your efforts will be appreciated! Even though veterinarians often recommend specialized dog food brands its also important to allow them to try other foods and mix up their diet. 

Pork vs Chicken Which Has Better Nutrition? 

Chicken on the other hand has only around 134 calories per serving.

The serving contains 7.7g of fat 39mg of cholesterol 883mg of sodium 1.8g of carbohydrates and 15g of protein. The protein content of a chicken serving is 84% and the fat content is 55%.

It is technically true that chicken is a healthier option but lean cuts of pork have much lower fat content than previously recorded. 

While people trying to keep their dogs healthy generally choose chicken as a treat because it is a source of protein and nutrition pork can also be beneficial depending on the type you choose for your dog.

Sausages made from factory-farmed pigs are full of saturated fats and harmful chemicals whereas a pastured pork leg may allow your dog to gain weight and muscle due to its higher protein content than chicken. 

What Is The Most Dangerous Raw Meat And Why?

On the market chicken is the most popular meat.

Salmonella is often associated with it however. Therefore raw chicken should not be given to dogs.

Salmonellosis in dogs is rare but they can carry the bacteria in their stool and saliva and therefore spread it throughout their households. 

Salmonella-related hospitalizations place chicken in the highest risk category of meat and it kills a lot of people across the country every year.

You should be aware of this before you kiss your dog touch their stool when cleaning up or let them salivate on you if you fed him raw chicken. 

The symptoms of salmonella in dogs include diarrhea tiredness stomach cramps loss of appetite and fever.

Although most animals are able to recover without antibiotics in severe cases they may have to be administered and a clinic visit may be necessary. 

In addition to E.coli and Campylobacter outbreaks chickens are also prone to these diseases.

The consumption of factory-produced chicken has also been linked to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

The chickens are given antibiotics steroids hormones additives pesticides and are kept in extremely cramped conditions which are detrimental to their health.

As a result eating chicken produced this way means our pets consume everything the chicken has been exposed to and are more likely to catch illnesses.

The combination of these factors makes chicken the most dangerous meat for dogs. 

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.