Dog owners, beware: sharing your meal with your four-legged friend could be more dangerous than you think. If you’ve been treating your pooch to sausages, it’s time to rethink your pet’s diet to ensure their safety.
The BBQ staple has been flagged by Pet MD as a potential health hazard for dogs. According to the experts, sausages contain ingredients that are not just unhealthy but could be toxic to your canine companion. An expert from Pet MD cautioned: “Unfortunately, most kinds of sausage are not safe for dogs to eat and should not be offered as a treat.”
They highlighted the risks associated with various types of sausage: “This goes for breakfast sausage, Vienna sausage, and sausage made in all forms-links, patties, and crumbles are all no-goes for Fido.”
Sausage is typically packed with ground meat, surplus fat, and a concoction of seasonings like garlic, which poses a threat to dogs, along with other non-canine-friendly additives.
In comparison to leaner meats such as chicken or ground beef, sausage boasts higher levels of fat and sodium, making it an unsuitable addition to your dog’s meals, as reported by Surrey Live.
The pet specialist further warned: “Too much of either can lead to serious (and painful) health conditions in dogs, such as pancreatitis.”
They added a stern warning about the dangers of certain seasonings: “Even worse, sausage often contains seasonings like garlic, onion, or other spicy additives that should always be avoided. These sausages can make your dog very sick and should never be shared with your pup.”
While a small nibble of plain sausage might not be harmful to your dog, there are safer ways to boost their protein intake.
Should your pooch scarf a large amount of sausage and seem poorly, Pet MD experts urge you to contact your vet without delay.
The animal welfare organisation Blue Cross has issued a warning that grapes, raisins, and currants can be deadly for dogs. They stated: “Grapes and raisins can put dogs at risk of kidney failure – even a small amount can make your dog seriously ill.
“The exact cause of toxicity to dogs is unknown, but it appears that some dogs are much more sensitive to grape toxicity than others. Symptoms of poisoning usually show within 24 hours.”
Moreover, chocolate, onions, avocado, and macadamia nuts should also be kept well away from your canine friend. Equally important is ensuring they don’t consume caffeinated drinks such as coffee or tea.