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Do you enjoy eating corned beef occasionally? Many people enjoy this dish! But is it OK for dogs to eat corned beef?
Has your dog eaten corned beef? Are you worried the corned beef will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve put together some information about corned beef and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Corned Beef?
Corned beef is made by curing beef brisket in salt brine and spices. The brisket is from the cow’s lower breast area, where the meat is tough and full of fat. So, the meat must be brined or marinated to tenderize the meat.
The brine used for homemade corned beef may include spices (all spices, coriander, peppercorn, mustard seed, and bay leaf), which add flavor to the meat. The meat is slowly braised, resulting in tender meat that’s full of flavor.
Commercially prepared corned beef uses brine and spices to prepare the beef. However, preservatives are also added to the meat to make it last longer.
While corned beef is safe for humans (in moderation), what about dogs? Can dogs eat corned beef?
Corned Beef & Dogs
Unfortunately, corned beef is not good for dogs. If your canine companion happens to eat a small piece of corned beef, chances are he will be OK. However, if he eats a larger amount of the meat, your fur baby could become sick.
The problems are in the salt used for the brine and the preservatives added to commercially prepared corned beef. Salt is the main concern, as it can cause salt toxicity in dogs.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Corned Beef Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten corned beef:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Extreme thirst or urination
- Fluid buildup
- Headache
- High fever
- Stomach pains
- And more
These symptoms are indicative of salt toxicity, which is very dangerous to dogs. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, call the vet immediately. This an emergency.
Treatment of Corned Beef Ingestion in Dogs
In the event of salt toxicity, your dog may need to be hospitalized. The vet may supply your dog with oxygen and an IV for fluids and to administer medications.
The vet will work to gradually bring down salt levels. The reason is that bringing salt levels down too quickly could result in a heart attack or swelling of the brain. This process may take a few days and your fur baby will need to remain in the hospital during this time.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt medical care; they have the best chance of making a full recovery.
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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