Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni?
Ever been eating a yummy piece of pizza and have your dog staring at you with big, sad eyes?
Maybe just one pepperoni won’t hurt them, right?
In most cases that is most likely true, but what complications can come from giving your dog pepperoni?
If you’re wondering about whether the tasty, cured pizza topping is safe for your dog to eat, then you’ve found the right blog.
Keep reading to find out if pepperoni is okay for your canine companion to snack on.
Is Pepperoni Safe For Dogs?
Pepperoni is not toxic, but it is high in salt, sugar, fat and other seasonings that dogs are not used to eating.
As far as safety
It should be safe for the average dog to have a small amount of pepperoni as long as they don’t have an easily upset stomach.
Pepperoni is a salty, cured meat that is seasoned with several ingredients, including garlic which can cause anemia in dogs and cats.
The spicy pepper seasoning that is in pepperoni along with the amount of fat from the pork and beef can easily cause an upset stomach resulting in vomiting or diarrhea.
That’s not to say that a single pepperoni will send your dog straight outside to the bathroom or maybe even a trip to the vet, but that’s also not saying that it won’t.
It depends on the individual dog and their body’s ability to handle the tasty but also greasy meat.
All recipes vary and so do the ingredients that are used, but most pepperoni consists of the following:
- Pork
- Garlic
- Beef
- Crushed red pepper
- Paprika
- Mustard seed
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Fennel seed
Along with these ingredients is salt and sodium nitrate for curing and minimizing the growth of microorganisms and bacteria.
Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni?
If your dog has a history of pancreatitis or a sensitive stomach, pepperoni should most definitely be avoided.
However, most dogs can eat pepperoni and probably be fine, but it would need to be a very small quantity.
The rich meat may taste super good to your dog, but it can most definitely cause stomach upset.
You’d hate to see your dog feeling sick, plus no one wants to clean up diarrhea at 2 am.
Also, if your dog has allergies to beef or pork, pepperoni is a no-go for them!
Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni Pizza?
Not only does pepperoni pizza include the yummy meat on top but it also has dough, cheese and sauce.
Pizza sauce tends to include onions and garlic, more so than there is in most pepperoni, which can cause anemia in dogs.
Also, the acidic content of the tomatoes is likely to upset your dog's stomach as well.
Cheese is less likely to offend your pup’s tummy, but you may pay for it later in stinky farts.
All of these ingredients included in pepperoni pizza have the potential to cause gastrointestinal upset in your dog.
Even if your dog has an iron stomach, it is still not a healthy item for your pet to eat as it will only create weight gain and future obesity.
What Can Happen If My Dog Eats Pepperoni?
Stomach upset is the concern when it comes to dogs ingesting pepperoni.
A worse potential is pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas due to eating a food that is too high in fat.
The symptoms of pancreatitis are:
- Abdominal pain
- Dehydration
- Decreased appetite
- Severe vomiting
- Fever
- Severe diarrhea
- Lethargy
If you notice any of these symptoms after your dog has ingested pepperoni then contact your veterinarian right away.
Pancreatitis can be dangerous if left untreated, leading to severe dehydration and sometimes even death.
Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni
Dogs can eat pepperoni but it should probably be avoided.
The salty, fatty cured meat can cause a nasty upset stomach and even pancreatitis, leading to severe diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration.
If your dog has gotten ahold of some pepperoni, don’t panic, and watch for symptoms of gastrointestinal upset and contact your veterinarian if anything is seen.
![Can Dogs Eat Cornstarch? [Health Benefits & Side Effects]](https://doghealthknowhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Can-Dogs-Eat-Cornstarch-768x529.jpg)
