Has your dog eaten some luncheon meat? Are you worried the luncheon meat will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place! We know it can be scary when your dog eats something that maybe shouldn’t have.
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In this article, we’ll take a look at luncheon meat, its ingredients, and whether or not luncheon meat can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Luncheon Meat?
Luncheon meat is similar to lunch meat; in fact, they’re sometimes the same thing. Luncheon meat can include processed turkey, ham, chicken, beef, or pork. It may be made into salami, sausage, and more. Or it can simply be served in slices in sandwiches, salad, and more. It just depends on the brand and variety of luncheon meat used.
Luncheon meat, like lunch meat, can contain lots of fat, salt, spices, other ingredients, and preservatives. It’s not one of the healthiest meats around. It’s also usually high in calories.
So, can dogs eat luncheon meat? Will luncheon meat make your dog sick?
Luncheon Meat & Dogs
Thankfully luncheon meat is not toxic to dogs. However, it can have some adverse effects if a dog eats luncheon meat on a regular basis. The problem is found in the high levels of fat, sodium, and other ingredients.
The fat in luncheon meat can cause a dog to gain weight or even become obese. It can also lead to other health problems such as heart disease. Eating too much fat at one time or on a regular basis can also cause a very serious health issue called pancreatitis. If left untreated, pancreatitis can even lead to death.
Then the salt in luncheon meat can also cause health problems. The salt, in the form of sodium and nitrates, is used to flavor and preserve the meat. Salt will not hurt your dog in small amounts; however, it can cause problems if your dog eats it on a regular basis. Too much salt can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, hypertension, and more.
Next, the flavorings in luncheon meat can make your dog sick. This especially applies to onion and garlic, which are both toxic to dogs.
Lastly, luncheon meat has too many calories for a dog. Too much luncheon meat on a regular basis can lead to weight gain and more.
So, if your dog has eaten a little bit of luncheon meat, he should be OK. In some dogs with sensitive stomachs, the luncheon meat could cause vomiting and diarrhea. This should last no longer than 24 hours. If these problems last longer, then it’s a good idea to call the vet.
If your dog has eaten a large amount of luncheon meat, it’s probably a good idea to call the vet before you notice any symptoms. It’s possible your dog will have digestive problems, but he could also develop pancreatitis. So, be sure to follow your vet’s instructions on what needs to happen next if your fur baby at a lot of luncheon meat.
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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