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Spam is a very popular product and can be used in a wide variety of recipes. Many people enjoy eating it with almost any meal, including breakfast! Dogs may even come begging for their fair share when their pet parents are eating spam! But what happens if a dog eats spam?
Has your dog eaten spam? Are you worried the spam 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 gathered information about spam and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Spam?
Spam is a brand of cooked pork that’s made by the Hormel Foods Corporation. The company first produced spam in 1937, and it soon became very popular around the world during WWII. Today, spam is still enjoyed by many people around the globe!
The ingredients in spam include:
- Pork shoulder
- Ham
- Modified potato starch
- Sugar
- Sodium nitrite (a preservative)
Spam is cooked right in the can; the result is a cooked meat product that’s covered in gel. The gel is natural and comes from the meat.
While spam can be safe for humans (in moderation), what about dogs? Can spam make a dog sick?
Spam & Dogs
The meat used to make spam is not toxic to dogs, and spam does not contain other ingredients that are toxic to dogs. However, spam’s not a very good food for a dog to eat.
The problem is that spam contains high levels of salt and fat. Foods high in salt can be toxic to dogs if eaten in large amounts. What’s more, the fat in spam adds calories, but it can also cause a condition called pancreatitis in dogs.
Finally, spam also contains high amounts of preservatives that can cause digestive problems in dogs.
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Ask a Vet Live NowCan Dogs Eat Spam?
If a dog eats a small bite of spam, chances are he will be OK. However, a dog should not eat more spam than that, and he should not be given spam on a regular basis. It’s not a healthy food for dogs.
If your dog has eaten a large amount of spam, it’s best to call the vet right away. Your dog could develop salt poisoning or pancreatitis. The preservatives in the meat could also make your dog pretty sick.
So, be sure to call the vet right away. Don’t wait to see how your dog’s symptoms develop or he could become very sick. The vet has medications and other treatments that can help your dog. Eating too much spam is never a good thing for dogs! It’s best to keep spam and other processed meats out of your dog’s reach. You’ll both be happier for it!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
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