Can Dogs Eat Salami?

Can dogs eat salami? Not really. Salami isn’t on the list of toxic foods for dogs, but it offers little if not zero nutritional benefits. Salami is high in sodium and fat and therefore, should not be included in a dog’s diet. If your dog was to eat small amounts of salami, there is not too much to be worried about as it will not harm them. 

Busy? Get Your Hands Paws On The Answers Quickly…

• What Is Salami?
• Are Dogs Allowed Salami?
• My Dog Has Eaten Salami – What Shall I Do?
• Alternative Nutritional Meats To Feed Your Dog
• FAQs

WHAT IS SALAMI?

Typically made of pork, salami is a cured sausage consisting of air-dried and fermented meat. Historically, salami was produced and eaten in southern, eastern, and central European countries. Once cut, the salami can be stored at room temperature for up to 40 days. 

Salami is commonly made up of a variety of ingredients that include; garlic, minced fat, salt, spices (white pepper), herbs, vinegar, and wine. 

ARE DOGS ALLOWED SALAMI?

As previously mentioned, salami is not toxic to dogs but should not be given to them due to the high levels of salt and fat. Below we have outlined the reasons why dogs should not eat a lot of fatty and salty foods. 

Health Benefits

Unfortunately, salami offers very little nutritional benefits to dogs as it contains minimal vitamins and minerals but high levels of fat and salt. 

Health Concerns

High Levels of Fat
Foods that are high in fat can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Regular consumption of fatty foods can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas (organ next to the stomach). Pancreatitis can cause vomiting, nausea, and extreme pain. Common causes of pancreatitis is caused by your dog being overweight, consistently eating fatty foods, recovering from surgery, and ill/sick from a virus. 

After a full examination from your vet, they may want to carry out some tests (x-ray, blood tests, etc.). The treatments that your dog has will typically depend on the severity of pancreatitis, common treatments include; anti-sickness medicine, strong pain relief, small meals, rest, internal drip to provide lifesaving fluids, overnight care in veterinary hospitals.  

Salt, Salt, Salt
In most cases, if your dog has eaten too much salt, they will counteract this by drinking vast amounts of water, and no further damage will be caused. However, if there is no water available, there could be some serious implications that follow. Due to the lack of water, your dog’s cells in the body will begin to release its own water, which causes damage to the brain cells due to the lack of water. This results in headaches, migraines, dizziness, and vomiting. 

Although sodium (salt) is needed in your dog’s diet, too much salt can cause sodium toxicity, which can lead to serious illness and even in some cases, death!

If you think your dog has consumed too much salt, look out for these signs and symptoms;

> Confusion

> Extreme thirst and urination

> Headache

> High temperature + fever

> Lack of energy

> Loss of appetite

> Nausea 

> Stomach cramps/pains

> Vomiting

> Tongue swelling

> Weakness

> Lack of coordination/spatial awareness (stumbling/bumping into things)

Treatment of Salt Poisoning

Your dog will likely be admitted to hospital for a dosage of oxygen, IV fluid, and electrolytes, which help to cure dehydration. A sudden change in sodium levels can cause a dog to have a heart attack. Therefore the reduction of sodium must be over a longer period of time and at a slow rate. This process can typically take up to three days. The veterinarian will likely keep your dog overnight for observation at a minimum. 

MY DOG HAS EATEN SALAMI – WHAT SHALL I DO?

More often than not, your dog will not eat enough salami to have long term consequences. However, you should closely monitor their behavior that follows. They may show symptoms (see above) shortly after, and if they do, you should contact your veterinarian straight away. 

ALTERNATIVE NUTRITIONAL MEATS TO FEED YOUR DOG

Chicken
As an alternative to salami, there are various nutritious meat that dogs can eat. Providing your dog with cooked chicken is a great alternative and a fantastic source of protein. However, it is important that you don’t feed them too much as high levels of protein can cause dry and sensitive skin. You must consider using organic/cage-free chicken as this will have higher levels of vitamin D in comparison to chickens that are kept enclosed in cages. 

Beef
Beef is a very common meat that dogs eat. Shop bought cans of meat, kibble and raw meals tend to contain beef. Shop-bought products tend to be made up of the non-useable parts of the animal, e.g., the bones with meat scraps left on, offal, etc. This is ground to a pulp and then dried in high temperatures to form a powdery solution. 

Fresh beef isn’t a regular meal for dogs in most households, generally because of the cost. Nutritionally, beef can provide dogs with proper levels of protein but has a higher fat percentage than most other meats (14%). Therefore, if feeding your dog fresh beef, it is highly recommended to buy organic beef as it contains a lower percentage of fat and more nutrients. 

Turkey
This choice of meat is becoming more and more popular for dogs. Not only does it provide dogs’ with a source of protein, but it also has nutrients such as zinc, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is essential for dogs as it is responsible for the production of red blood cells but, more importantly, helps with glucose generation. 

Lamb
In recent years, lamb has become a popular choice of meat for dogs. Due to the high costs of fresh lamb, most dog food providers tend to use mutton (older sheep). Lamb is nutritionally excellent, and it provides dogs with an excellent source of protein. Lamb can be high in fat, but being pasture grown under suitable conditions, it makes a good choice of meat for a dog. 

FAQS

Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni?
Pepperoni isn’t a wise choice for dogs due to the high levels of fat, sodium, and extra ingredients such as pepper, onions, and garlic. When consumed in high doses, fatty and salty foods can cause pancreatitis and salt poisoning in dogs. 

Is Cheese OK For Dogs?
Due to the high-fat levels, cheese should only be given to dogs in moderation. Cheese is an excellent treat used to train puppies from an early age. 

What Fruits Are Bad For Dogs?
Grapes, raisins, and cherries should be avoided (for dogs). Also, citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and grapefruit can cause an upset stomach, and dogs do not enjoy the sharp taste. 

Are Bananas Good For Dogs?
Yes, but in moderation. Bananas are high in potassium and can be used as a treat from time to time. 

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Disclaimer: Each dog is different, and every circumstance is different. All efforts have been made to provide accurate information. However, it is not provided by a qualified Veterinarian, Veterinarian Surgeon, or Behaviorist. The information provided is purely educational. The information should not be used as an alternative or substitute for medical care. If you have any health or medical concerns, contact a qualified Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinarian immediately.