Can Dogs Eat Meatballs?
We’re always concerned about what our dogs should eat. So the question you’re asking yourself right now is: can dogs eat meatballs? We’ll answer this shortly.
There is plenty of human food that you can eat. But that doesn’t mean it’s always safe for dogs. The reason for this could be due to the high amounts of fat, sodium, and even specific ingredients.
Meatballs are delicious for humans. Are they the same for dogs? It’s normal for dogs to eat meat.
We’ll also give you some ideas for dog friendly meatballs after we’ve answered the burning question that you’re dying to learn the answer to. So with that said, let’s get right to it.
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Can Dogs Eat Meatballs?
The short answer: yes. However, it’s important to make sure you’re not feeding them meatballs that may contain harmful ingredients. Before going any further, let’s take a look at the following ingredients in meatballs that you’ll need to avoid feeding your dogs:
- Onions and garlic
These are the two ingredients that may be found in meatballs. So when you are looking at the packaging, you’ll want to check for them before feeding your dog. Especially if you bought store bought meatballs.
Onion and garlic are known for causing anemia in dogs. Even garlic powder should be avoided because it can contain high amounts of sodium.
Your best bet in feeding your dog them is if they are homemade meatballs. That’s because you have total control over the ingredients that are included. You can create them for a tasty treat not just for you, but also for your furry friend as well.
There are plenty of homemade recipes that you can put to good use. However, you may want to skip the ingredients that may be harmful to dogs. Frozen meatballs that you buy at the store may also be high in fat and salt content, which can be bad for dogs.
If they eat too much salt, they could be at risk of salt poisoning. Learn the common ingredients of homemade meatballs and know which ones are safe for dogs. Not all the ingredients will be dog-friendly, so it won’t hurt to make an omission here and there.
The last thing you want to do is feed your dog anything that may be considered toxic to them. Now that you know that homemade is the way to go, we’ll be taking a look at some delicious ideas below for you to make.
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Best Dog Friendly Meatballs
Below are some ways for you to make homemade dog friendly meatballs. These recipes leave out the toxic ingredients so you can worry less about what you’re feeding them. Let’s take a look at the following:
Beef meatballs for dogs
While these meatballs can be fried, you should consider baking them since the fried food can be harmful to dogs. While beef is mentioned in the recipe, you can switch it up a bit with the ingredients. This can include chicken, turkey, or even lamb.
Your ingredients should be as follows:
- Ground beef (one pound)
- 2 oz of yogurt (low fat)
- 1 egg
- 1 1000 mcg fish oil
- 1 tbsp of optional supplement
Break up the beef or other ingredients you chose (i.e – chicken). Then mix the egg in with the meat itself. If you have them, add the supplements.
Then, add the meatballs to a skillet and bake them accordingly. Cook until they are completely browned.
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Meatballs for dogs (For Weight Gain)
If your dog needs to gain weight, these are the perfect meatballs for them. Here’s how you can make them so they can enjoy it and get some meat on their bones in the process:
- Ground beef (1/2 pounds)
- 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 carrot (shredded)
- 1 chopped celery stalk
- 1/2 cup spinach (frozen, but thawed)
- 2 tbsp flat-leafed parsley (chopped)
- 2 tbsp Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1 egg (large)
- 2 tsp ground turmeric
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees. Next, use a muffin tin or a baking sheet and make sure it’s greased. In a medium mixing bowl, mix all the ingredients well.
Fill each compartment of the muffin tin with 1/4 mix and create at least 10 meatballs. Place them on the baking sheet and place them in the oven. Let them bake for at least 15 minutes or until completely cooked.
Take them out of the oven and allow them to cool completely before feeding them these delicious meatballs.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of meatballs that are dog friendly. You can make them from scratch without having to deal with the ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Use the recipes above or find others online and your dog will love eating these for a nice treat.
It’s important that you don’t make it a daily thing since you may be feeding them too much fat or sodium. Make it a once a week thing and they’ll be looking forward to the next time you feed them a meatball or two.
