Don’t you just love lunch meat? Sometimes there’s nothing so satisfying as some turkey, pastrami, salami, or ham. They taste great as a snack, as a sandwich for lunch, and more. However, what happens if your dog eats lunch meat?
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Has your dog eaten some lunch meat? Are you worried the lunch meat could make him sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when our dogs eat something that may not be good for them.
In this article, we’ll take a look at lunch meat and whether or not it can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
Lunch Meat
Lunch meat comes in many varieties and brands, but they all have one thing in common. They’re made with meat! Dogs can’t help themselves when they smell meat. It’s like their noses drag them to it and get them to eat whatever the meat may be!
The good news is that lunch meat is not toxic to your dog in small amounts. As a once in a while treat, it’s OK for your dog. However, if he eats too much lunch meat, it can make him sick over time.
Lunch Meat & Dogs
The problem with lunch meat is that most of it is high in salt and fat. It may also contain flavorings and preservatives that aren’t good for dogs, as well as spices (such as onion and garlic) that are toxic to dogs.
When dogs eat too much fat, they eat many calories. This can lead to problems with the heart or to your dog gaining weight. It can also lead to obesity if your dog eats lunch meat too often.
Another problem with fats in lunch meat is that they can cause pancreatitis, which is a very painful condition. It can flare up once but can also become a chronic condition in some dogs. If not treated, pancreatitis can also lead to death.
The salt (sodium & nitrates) is also bad for dogs. This is added for flavor but also as a preservative. In small amounts, most dogs will tolerate the sodium just fine. However, in higher doses and over a long period, salt can put your dog at higher risk of kidney failure, hypertension, and heart disease.
Next, the spices and flavorings can be harmful to dogs. Again, as an occasional treat in small amounts, your dog will probably tolerate these just fine. But your fur baby really shouldn’t eat anything containing garlic and onions, as these are toxic to dogs.
So, if your dog has eaten one piece of lunch meat, chances are he will be just fine. However, if he’s eaten an entire package (or more), then it’s probably a good idea to call the vet for advice. They’ll let you know what to do next; they may say your dog will be OK or that you need to bring him in. Just be sure to follow the vet’s advice, and your dog should be OK!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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