Can Dogs Eat Vienna Sausages?
If you’ve ever been enjoying a snack of crackers and Vienna Sausages and noticed your dog eyeballing your food from across the room, none of us would be surprised.
These salty, fatty tiny sausages in a can are a popular snack and dogs would most certainly enjoy a taste.
Too bad for them, they’re not the healthiest treat in the world.
The truth is, dogs can eat a Vienna Sausage, but it’s likely to upset their stomach.
Let’s keep reading to find out why you should pass when it comes to letting your pooch try this salty, mini hotdog.
What Are Vienna Sausages?
Vienna Sausages are sausages made from beef, pork and poultry and cut into small finger-food sizes and served in a can.
You guessed it, this snack gets its name from where it originated, Vienna, Austria and has been a popular appetizer or lunch item for many years.
Can Dogs Eat Vienna Sausages?
Like most salty, processed meats, they are not toxic and dogs can technically eat them - but the chances of it causing stomach upset or even pancreatitis is pretty high.
These little sausages contain a large amount of sodium as well as fat, which can easily wreak havoc on your dog’s heart and gastrointestinal tract.
Not only are the salt and fat content a problem for dogs, but it is likely to raise your pet’s cholesterol levels as well.
There are also concerns about the amount of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in some Vienna Sausages.
Is It Safe To Give Vienna Sausages To Dogs?
Technically, you could give your dog a Vienna Sausage and assuming they don’t have a sensitive stomach, they will most likely be fine.
However, feeding this as a treat on a regular basis would not be healthy for them as the salt content will cause heart disease and if it doesn’t cause vomiting and diarrhea, it will certainly lead to weight gain.
A very rare and special Vienna Sausage treat for the average dog will most likely be fine.
But it is always best to consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog human food.
Should You Be Worried If Your Dog Eats A Vienna Sausage?
Vienna Sausages contain high amounts of salt, fat and preservatives.
Because it is a processed food, it is less nutritionally beneficial and often is full of unhealthy seasonings and fillers to enhance the flavor.
Preservatives such as propylene glycol have been known to cause some liver damage in dogs and the artificial flavors and colors are also not healthy for our canine companions to ingest.
Are Vienna Sausages And Hot Dogs The Same?
Vienna Sausages are very similar to hot dogs.
The process by which they are created is almost the same and the flavor profile is not far off, however, they are not exactly the same.
Vienna Sausages have a higher salt content than a hot dog, but it’s not by much.
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to Vienna Sausages and hot dogs then look into purchasing turkey dogs.
The fat, cholesterol and salt content is lower, making it a better option compared to the other wieners.
So Can Dogs Eat Vienna Sausages?
Dogs can eat Vienna Sausages, but they are certainly not a healthy treat for them.
These tasty, mini wieners are salty and fatty and are known for causing stomach upset, or worse, heart disease and pancreatitis.
If you’re looking for a meaty treat to give your dog on an occasion, then you can consider Vienna Sausages but just know that there are much healthier options out there for your companion, such as turkey sausage.
