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Some people enjoy bacon on their sandwich, with eggs, on a pizza, or in a pasta dish, knowing very well that it’s not the healthiest meat. However, it’s crispy and tasty and hard for many people to resist. As much as your dog may enjoy the smell of sizzling bacon in the morning, it’s not a good idea to share it with them, even though they technically can eat it.
Thankfully, bacon isn’t toxic to dogs, and you don’t need to rush them off to the vet if they munched down a strip or two behind your back. However, it is not recommended to add it to your dog’s diet. Keep reading if you need more convincing as to why your dog should swap bacon out for a healthier option.
Why Is Bacon Bad for Dogs?
Bacon is a very fatty meat and is often cooked in oil. Frequently eating high-fat meals and snacks can cause pancreatitis in dogs. If your dog has pancreatitis, it’s important to get it treated early for the best prognosis. Signs of this condition are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and a loss of appetite. Over time, pancreatitis can destroy the insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas, leading to diabetes.
When bacon is cooked at high temperatures, heterocyclic amines form in the bacon, which has the potential to cause cancer. Bacon is also high in calories, which can contribute to obesity if eaten often. Obesity can shorten your dog’s life by around 1–2 years. It’s a serious condition that can increase the risk of health issues, such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, joint issues, and heart disease.
Is It Nutritious?
Bacon contains protein, which all dogs need, but it’s high in fat, and there are much healthier protein options for your dog. Bacon has iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, but most dog food formulas provide enough to keep your dog healthy.
Bacon doesn’t provide additional nutrients that they don’t get from quality dog food, and the negatives far outweigh the positives. Leaner alternatives include cooked chicken and turkey, which are safe for most dogs, but dogs with food allergies may react to them.
What About Raw Bacon?
Raw bacon can be contaminated with parasites, which will make your dog very sick if they eat it and become infected. Trichinella spiralis, which is also known as “pork worm,” can infect your dog and cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and inflammation. Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella are bacteria in raw meat that can make your dog sick.
Conclusion
Dogs shouldn’t eat bacon since it comes with risks, whether cooked or raw. Pork bacon is high in fat, which can negatively affect your dog’s health. Giving your dog raw bacon has risks, too, because it could be contaminated with harmful bacteria or worms that will make your dog sick. While your dog’s mouth may be watering for a bit of sizzling bacon, they are better off getting a healthier alternative.
Featured Image Credit: Artit Wongpradu, Shutterstock
