Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni?
Yummm… pepperoni! That spicy and smoky flavor of the pepperoni is just way too irresistible for anyone to pass on.
Even your meat-lover furry friend might steal a taste or two if you’re not keeping an eye on their mischievous paws.
Can dogs eat pepperoni? Yes, dogs can eat pepperoni, but it doesn’t mean they should.
Although it’s ok to give your dog pepperoni as an occasional snack or treat, too much pepperoni is never good for anyone, even us humans.
Why Pepperoni Is Unhealthy for Dogs?
What makes pepperoni bad for dogs? Let’s find out together!
Too much sodium and fat content
One of the many reasons not to feed your dog pepperoni is its high fat and sodium content.
Feeding your pooch foods with high sodium is incredibly harmful to their health. This can lead to several health issues like Hypernatremia, an increase in high blood pressure, or even death.
Watch out for these signs of salt poisoning in dogs:
- Increased thirst or water consumption
- Disorientation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Seizures
Other than that, pepperoni is also high in fat, which your dog should avoid preventing the risks of pancreatitis, obesity, and other chronic conditions.
Contains seasonings, spices, and additional flavors
Usually, pepperoni is made with seasonings like paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Most of these ingredients are toxic and harmful to dogs and cause an upset stomach. Even small amounts of these ingredients can pose a serious threat to your dog’s health, and it would be better to avoid them altogether.
Highly processed food with nitrate preservatives
Processed food in any form should not be tolerated by anyone. Processed foods are scientifically proven unhealthy and contain ingredients with little nutritional value. Additionally, processed foods like pepperoni, bacon, ham, and hot dogs, also have preservatives like nitrates that are believed to be linked to an increased risk of cancer in humans.
We Think You’ll Like: Can Dogs Eat Ham Bones?
Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni Pizza?
No, giving your dog a slice of pepperoni pizza is never a good idea. Not only will your dog be at risk of a stomach upset, but also of garlic poisoning. If not garlic, there are many ingredients in pizza that are potentially harmful to your dog.
Even with just the pizza crust, your dog is still not safe, so just don’t feed it to them!
Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni Jerky?
Pepperoni jerky might be a better alternative to pepperoni pizza, BUT only if given once in a blue moon. One or two pepperoni jerky every 6 months is more than enough for your pooch. An important thing to remember though, make sure the pepperoni jerky is not made with onion, garlic powder, or anything that can be toxic to a dog.
Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni Slices?
One pepperoni slice every few months won’t hurt your doggo. However, you should also keep in mind even a few slices can be detrimental to your dog’s health if you let your dog eat pepperoni regularly. Too many pepperoni slices, even if they are a few thin slices, contain an excessive amount of sodium and fat that your dog can’t afford to have.
Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni Sticks?
Like with pepperoni slices, your dog can have a third or half of a pepperoni stick once every few months. Never give them the whole thing as they will leave no crumbs and put them at risk for sodium poisoning. A whole pepperoni stick is already too much for a pupper, so the best way to feed them one is to only give them half or less.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Pepperoni?
Turkey pepperoni is almost the same as the traditional pepperoni. The main difference is the type of meat it’s made from. And regardless of the meat type, eating pepperoni should only be consumed in small amounts, especially for dogs. Also, consider the seasoning, flavors, or spices added to the turkey pepperoni before feeding it to your pooch.
We Think You’ll Like: Best Dog Food Toppers
Can Dogs Eat Salami?
Pepperoni and salami are essentially the same things, so the same rules for eating pepperoni should apply. Although salami is considered healthier because it has fewer calories and is less spicy, you should still take precautions when giving your dog a slice.
Conclusion
Today we learned all about pepperoni and dogs! All in all, I would recommend not feeding your dog pepperoni at all if it can be avoided. But, if you’re the type of furry parent who wants to spoil your pooch once in a while, a slice of pepperoni once every few months is not totally bad.
The most important thing is you know not to feed pepperoni to your dog in large amounts and what makes this food bad for your furry friend.
