Just like salami, pepperoni is a popular meat product that goes well with another popular human food – pizza! Pepperoni is basically an Italian-American creation. It’s a cured dry sausage, with similarities to the spicy salamis of southern Italy. But, can dogs eat pepperoni? After all, it is meat, and meat is meat, right?
Well, it’s a fact that pepperoni is a type of salami and it is derived from meat. However, that doesn’t necessarily make it safe for dogs.
In this article we’re going to answer the question can dogs eat pepperoni. We’ll also take a look at the ingredients of pepperoni and why it is or why it isn’t a good treat for your dog.
If you’d like to learn more about other human foods and if they are safe for dogs we’ve got you covered:
- What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?
- Can dogs eat cat food? Here’s the truth!
- What fruits can dogs eat and which are toxic?
- Can Dogs Eat Spicy Food?
- Which Food Is Good Or Bad For Dogs?
Can dogs eat pepperoni – The truth
Generally speaking, pepperoni isn’t toxic for dogs. Just like it is with many other human foods, moderation is key. So, a few pieces here and there won’t harm your dog. However, we still wouldn’t recommend giving any pepperoni to your dog or dogs.
Ingredients and how its made
To better understand why pepperoni isn’t a good dog treat we should first look at the ingredient list of pepperoni.
To make pepperoni beef and pork are used. Generally speaking the ratio of fat and lean meat is around 70 percent lean to 30 percent fat. Then seasonings are added such as salt, sugar, and spices like paprika and garlic powder, fennel seeds, mustard seeds and black pepper.
To get that recognizable flavor the above-mentioned mixture is inoculated with a culture of lactobacillus bacteria. These bacteria produce lactic acid, which is a crucial ingredient in curing the sausage.
FUN FACT: Lactobacillus is the same bacteria used for making yogurt and cheese, and it’s also produced by the wild yeasts in a sourdough starter.
Now, the issue with pepperoni isn’t the meat, but the spices (and other chemicals used to preserve the pepperoni) that are used.
Too much sodium
The biggest issue with pepperoni is the salt or the sodium, that can be found in them.
It’s no secret that too much salt is never good. It can actually can cause severe health problems for your dogs (and you too!).
Also, keep in mind that too much salt can cause a condition called hypernatremia. In the case of hypernatremia, your dog will likely lose a tremendous amount of water in its body which can lead to dehydration and urination problems!
Another issue is the garlic powder which can be just s dangerous as too much sodium. Garlic powder (and onion powder) can compromise your dog’s internal systems majorly and causes all kinds of problems at the same time!
It can cause lethargy, weakness, jaundice, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases even death!
What if dogs eat pepperoni?
Now that we know what the biggest issue with pepperoni is, we need to say what will happen if your dog eats pepperoni. Now, we’ve already said that there is nothing toxic for your dog.
However, if your dog eats too much pepperoni there are certain symptoms you should look out for:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
If you notice any of these first of all don’t panic! Secondly, put out many water bowls for your dog, so they can drink a lot.
Then, contact your veterinarian, because he or she will have the best advice for what you should do. There is no one that knows your dog better than them and the advice your vet gives you will always be the most accurate.