Are pupperoni sticks bad for dogs
Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni? How Safe Is It For Dogs?
Weve all had that moment where were tempted to give in to the puppy dog pout staring us down from across the table as we eat our pizza. So, whats the deal? Can dogs eat pepperoni? Heres what you need to know!
Dogs cant safely eat pepperoni. The main risks of pepperoni for your dog include the sodium content, the fat content, and the seasonings that are often used in pepperoni processing and flavoring. While a tiny piece of pepperoni snatched off your plate wont hurt them, regular snacks of it can cause many health problems, including digestion issues, obesity, kidney damage, pancreatitis, salt poisoning, and/or seasoning toxicity.
Why is pepperoni bad for dogs?
To put it simply, theres nothing good in pepperoni for dogs. Except for the taste, obviously. Pepperoni is bad for dogs, particularly for various very relevant reasons, as introduced above. In more detail, those are:
- Sodium content
- Fat content
- The seasonings
Sodium content
Pepperoni is all sodium. To turn meat remnants into the tasty pizza topping, theyre drenched in salt to the point of petrification and then further processed through seasoning. If youve ever smelled slices of pepperoni in its form, the main smell catching your attention is salt.
Its a lot of sodium in one food choice, even for humans.Dogs have a low tolerance for sodium compared to humans. This, combined with their smaller size, means that it takes much less for them to negatively react to the salt content.Even a small amount of pepperoni can cause severe health complications.
Salt poisoning is when your dogs body is overloaded with salt, which shocks their body. This can be fatal and is very serious, even in its mildest forms. Well talk more about the symptoms to watch for below. In combination with the fat, sodium can also lead to pancreatitis.
Fat content
Theres a belief that pepperoni is just all meat parts blended. In reality, its mostly fat disguised as meat parts. The fat content is, as a result, very high. Dogs require lean protein and low healthy fat content in their diet.
The protein in pepperoni is very high-fat, and the actual fat itself is of horrible quality. The combination of high amounts of poor-quality, unhealthy fat makes it a horrible choice!
The high-fat content will cause serious digestion problems with your dog, which can lead to total disruption in their digestive systems. As a result, your dogs appetite will be off, which can impact their nutrition in the short term!
As mentioned above, pancreatitis is possible when you blend the sodiums inflammation with the oily and greasy fat from the pepperoni. This is when your dogs pancreas starts to digest itself mistakenly. In mild cases, with treatment, your dog can recover. However, moderate to severe cases can be fatal.
The seasonings
There are a lot of seasonings in pepperoni, despite what most of us think! These include black pepper, garlic, onion, paprika, mustard seeds, etc. Garlic and onion are toxic to dogs, even in small amounts.
The amount in one piece of pepperoni, which you would have no way of measuring for its potential for toxic seasonings, could be enough to create a toxic reaction in your dog.
Just like salt poisoning, the reaction from eating a toxic seasoning can be fatal very quickly in your dog. The seasonings in the pepperoni arent just dusted on top, either. Theyre cooked and processed with them. Your dog isnt able to eat pepperoni without also eating those seasonings.
Pepperoni is just plain bad for dogs, no matter which point of view you use to look at it as a justifiable snack for your dog!
Can dogs have small amounts of pepperoni?
Technically, your dog can have a small amount of pepperoni very rarely. Emphasis on the very part of that, of course. They shouldnt get a slice every time you are preparing a meal or a round of it from each pizza slice. Keep in mind that smaller and unhealthy dogs should have even less than that!
How much pepperoni can dogs eat?
This is an important question to ask when keeping your dog in good health! Experts agree that one piece of pepperoni (sliced thin) is an okay treat for your dog every few months. That pepperoni should be free from any known toxic seasonings, as mentioned above, and as healthy as possible.
In this case, healthy would mean the deli pepperoni rather than the crispy pepperoni that most people get on pizza! That pepperoni should be given in as small amounts as possible (think, a crumb) and preferably avoided if you can.
For a more personalized approach to pepperoni types and your specific dog, your vet can help you understand what is safe and unsafe if you consider offering some pepperoni to your dog as a special treat.
Pros and cons of pepperoni for dogs
By now, youre getting a sense that pepperoni really isnt an excellent choice for your dog, as much as they seem to be coaxing you to give it to them. Here are the pros and cons, plain and simple.
PROS
CONS
- Can cause health crises
- Can lead to diabetes and obesity
- Can cause kidney damage
No matter how much you may want to give it to your deserving dog, pepperonis cons can have drastic and potentially life-changing effects on your dog. When you consider that, that one lonely little pro doesnt seem quite so relevant, right?
Can pepperoni kill a dog?
Yes, pepperoni can kill your dog in two ways: short-term consequences and long-term consequences.
Short-term consequences are those weve talked about already, such as sodium poisoning and seasoning toxicity. This can lead to a fatal reaction very quickly, within several hours. Pancreatitis would also fall into this category, though it can take longer to set in.
Long-term consequences include obesity, diabetes, a weak/sensitive stomach (and digestion), and chronic pancreatitis. While they wont instantly kill your dog, they can shorten their lifespan and steal their quality of life.
Can dogs eat cold pepperoni?
Cold pepperoni is the same thing, health-wise, as hot pepperoni. It has the same fat content, salt, and seasonings as hot pepperoni. Whether cold pepperoni from a deli or in a stick form, such as pepperoni jerky or pepperoni sticks, they shouldnt eat it.
If you are set on doing so, they can have a tiny part of jerky/stick once every few months. Eating an entire piece of pepperoni jerky or a stick can be enough to kill them.
Can dogs eat hot pepperoni?
Hot pepperoni in temperature is no better than cold pepperoni. Hot pepperoni might even burn their mouth since the grease and fat are hotter, still, and will burn as your dog chews on it.
Hot, spicy pepperoni is even worse. Dogs cant handle even mildly spicy foods, so feeding your dog spiced pepperoni will cause severe digestive upset that can lead to dehydration which is a severe medical emergency in dogs.
Can dogs eat turkey pepperoni?
Health-conscious snackers often prefer turkey pepperoni. Unfortunately, its no better for our dogs than classic pepperoni. Its not the meat content thats the problem; its the processing, added salt, etc.
What happens if a dog eats a slice of pepperoni pizza?
Accidents happen even when you are actively trying to make sure that you keep your dog away from the pepperoni. If your dogs eaten a slice of pepperoni pizza, then you need to prepare yourself for a possible medical emergency.
Even in the best-case scenario for ingredients, cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce, the combination of those ingredients in the large portion of a pizza slice can cause a terrible digestive problem and possibly those crises we talked about above.
Symptoms to watch for if your dog ate pepperoni
Watching for complications means that youll be able to step in faster and get your dog to a vet if you need to. From all of the heath crises above, the list of symptoms include:
- Extreme thirst
- An incessant need to pee
- Vomiting
- An upset and sensitive stomach
- Diarrhea
- Shaking
- Loss of coordination
- Signs of distress
These can set in several minutes to several hours after eating the pizza. The more you notice, the faster you need to get them to the vet to be checked out. This will give your vet more time to intervene to counteract the toxicity or the poisoning.
Alternatives to pepperoni for dogs
One of the best things is to have a special pepperoni-shaped dog treat (from a pet store, for example) that looks like pepperoni. When you eat pepperoni, give him one of these special treats. He wont know the difference, and you can enjoy the fact that you are giving him a tasty morsel that he deserves without putting his health at risk.
In general
Pepperoni is not a safe treat for dogs due to its sodium and fat content and the potential for toxic seasoning. They can have a tiny amount of it very rarely, assuming there are no toxic seasonings on it.
Ensure you know the symptoms to watch for in case your dog has an adverse and potentially fatal reaction!
Your dogs health is going to be more important than a piece of pepperoni, especially when you read through all of those scary health conditions and crises!
Know someone prone to sharing this pizza topping? Consider letting them in on the facts by sharing this with them.
10 Worst Dog Treats To Avoid (+10 We Recommend)
Dog treats are essential to pet parenting, and it is one of the best motivations you can use when training your pooch.
It also serves as a supplement to a dogs diet, like snacks are to humans.
Given the importance, you cant afford to be carefree about it and end up feeding your pooch the worst dog treats.
Getting the right dog treats can save you from unexpected veterinarian bills.
Experts are getting more skeptical of treats now than they were in the past.
Because these treats are more wants than needs, you take an unnecessary risk when you get a product that could endanger your dogs health. Small dog owners, in particular, should be more careful.
Therefore, heres a list of the 10 worst dog treats brands you should avoid. Most of them look normal, but they contain ingredients that would be either unhealthy or outright harmful to dogs.
Subsequently, we would also recommend the best dog treats that are healthier alternatives.
The Worst Dog Treats You Should Avoide
01. Milk-Bone Original Biscuit Dog Treats
Milk-Bone Original Biscuit is a very popular dog treat, and some of you might be disappointed to find it on this list.
Nonetheless, some ingredients used could be unhealthy for dogs.
Before you grab one off the counter and into your cart, realize that this treat contains wheat which has low nutritional value and can even trigger allergies in some dogs.
Also, the artificial preservatives used have been known to cause cancer and some medical conditions. One such preservative is the BHA, a controversial additive.
Ingredients: Wheat Flour, Wheat Bran, Meat and Bone Meal, Milk, Beef Fat, Salt, Natural flavors, Dicalcium Phosphate, Wheat Germ, Calcium Carbonate, Malted Barley Flour, Choline Chloride, Minerals and Vitamins, Brewers Dried Yeast, Bah, Sodium Metabisulfite, BHA Preservatives.
02. Canine Carry Outs Beef Flavor Dog Treats
One of the main ingredients used in Canine Carry Outs Beef Flavor treat is chicken, and, whats so wrong with that?
The answer is nothing.
Chicken isnt the problem, and if other ingredients followed the path of chicken, this product wouldnt be listed here.Unfortunately, such is not the case.
Canine Carry Outs contain corn syrup as its second ingredient. Corn syrup has a high amount of sugar which is bad for dogs.
Similar to humans, high sugar can cause obesity, diabetes, and even tooth decay.
Then theres the controversial BHA and other artificial preservatives.
Ingredients: Chicken, Corn Syrup, Soy Flour, Wheat Flour, Corn Starch, Water, Propylene Glycol, Animal Fat, Animal Digest, Calcium Sulfate, Soy Protein, Concentrate, Sugar, Beef, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Phosphoric Acid, Titanium, Dioxide, Sorbic Acid, Red 40 Lake, Garlic Powder, Natural Smoke Flavor, Iron Oxide, BHA, Citric Acid.
03. Pup-Peroni Dog Treats
Pup-Peroni Original treats have a good side to them, similar to the Canine Carry Outs. It contains beef, an excellent and recommended source of protein for dogs.
However, as you might have already guessed, it doesnt stop there. We also love the creative brand name, but we have our concerns.
Pup-Peroni contains sugar, salt, meat by-products, and the notorious BHA.
The meat by-products used are not specified to the consumer, making it a shady business.
As for sugar and salt, they are both unhealthy and harmful to dogs.
Ingredients: Beef, Meat By-Products, Soy Grits, Sugar, Salt, Liver, Propylene Glycol, Caramel Color, Natural Smoke Flavor, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Nitrite, BHA (Used as a Preservative), Onion Extract.
04. Pedigree Marrobone Dog Treats
Marrow has its advantages and is generally recommended for dogs. To this brands credit, there is cooked bone marrow in the treats.
However, there is less of it compared to other unneeded ingredients that are in this treat.
Bone marrow is at the 6th spot on the ingredients, showing just how small the quantity is.
The main ingredients in Pedigree Marrowbone Dog Treats are sugar, wheat flour, poultry flavors, meat and bone meal, animal fat, and the BHA preservatives.
Some of these are okay, others are unhealthy and offer no strong nutritional value.
Ingredients: Wheat Flour, Meat and Bone Meal, Sugar, Natural Poultry Flavor, Animal Fat (preserved with BHA/BHT), Cooked Bone Marrow, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Malted Barley, Sodium Metabisulfite, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12, Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, D-Calcium, Pantothenate, Niacin, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid.
05. PupCorn Dog Treats
Impressive wordplay on the name, but thats not enough to ease our concern on the health aspect.
PupCorn Dog Treats main ingredient is corn (obviously) and while corn is considered safe for dogs and even nutritional, it has its downsides.
Serving this treat to a dog thats sensitive to allergies is akin to torture.
It can cause uncomfortable itching, vomiting, stomach cramp, skin irritation, and even hives. If youre not sure of your dogs allergies, avoid this treat.
Ingredients: Corn Flour, Natural Chicken Flavor, Powdered Cellulose, Water, Canola Oil, Dried Cheese Product, Mono and Di-Glycerides, Yellow #6.
06. Gravy Train BeefSticks
At first glance, Gravy Train looks like a pack of delicious steaks, and you might already imagine the fun your dog would have with this.
Dont judge the treat by its cover, though, or maybe you should, once you look at the ingredients listing.
Gravy Train is piled up with wheat flour and soy flour which are essentially fillers.
The animal fat and By-Products are unnamedanother red flag. Lets not start with the corn syrup. You already know how high the sugar content is.
Added to the unholy mixture are salt, propylene glycol, and artificial colors.
Ingredients: Beef, Wheat Flour, Soy Flour, Water, Ground Corn, Corn Syrup, Chicken By-Product Meal, Propylene Glycol, Animal Fat (with BHA as preservative), Dried Cheese Product, Calcium Sulfate, Phosphoric Acid, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Natural Flavor, Bone Phosphate, Titanium Dioxide, Potassium Sorbate, Garlic Powder, Caramel Color, Red 40, Onion Extract.
07. Purina Beneful Baked Delights Dog Treats
Purina Beneful Baked Delights may not be as beneficial and delightful as the name implies.
Similar to Gravy Train, youd find no meat content in the first five ingredients of Purina. That only is enough reason to avoid, but we have more.
Purina Beneful contains Brewers rice as the first ingredient. Brewers rice is processed in such a way that it loses nutrients.
The final product is less nutritious than normal white and brown rice.
Ground yellow corn, another ingredient in this treat, has the same issue as wheat. It offers low nutritional value.
Altogether, these ingredients can cause digestive issues in dogs.
Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Ground Wheat, Glycerin, Ground Yellow Corn, Wheat Flour, Chicken By-Product Meal, Natural Flavors, Corn Gluten Meal, Dried Whey, Wheat Starch, Beef, Egg and Chicken Flavor, Dried Cheese Powder, Oat Fiber, Sugar, Salt, Phosphoric Acid, Animal Fat preserved with Mixed- Tocopherols, Sorbic Acid, Calcium Propionate, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1. F-4050, Yellow 6, Citric Acid, Rosemary Extract.
08. Ol Roy Basted Biscuits Dog Treats
Ol Roy has its advantages, and were not talking about the wheat flour thats the 1st ingredient on the list. Ol Roy has meat and bone meal in the top 5 ingredients.
This is a plus for them as the meat content is a good source of protein.
Theres a catch, though. Quality brands always specify what animal is used in their meat and bone meal.
These lower ones keep it hidden, leaving us in doubt as to which animal was used. It is the same shady business we held Pup-Peroni accountable for.
Ingredients: Wheat Flour, Wheat Bran, Meat and Bone Meal, Animal Fat (preserved with Mixed- Tocopherols), Calcium Carbonate, Rice Starch, Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Beef Broth, Animal Plasma, Carboxymethylcellulose, Dried Chicken Liver Powder, Potassium Sorbate, Salt, Natural Flavors, Brewers Yeast, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Cobalt Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Red 40, Caramel Color, Iron Oxide.
09. Purina Beggin Strips Dog Treat
The marketing team for BegginStrips did a good job at making this product appealing.
From the cover design of an overexcited dog to the encouraging caption (so good they will be beggin for more), it does seem like a good reward for your pooch.
However, you might want to think twice.
Beggin Strips has ground wheat as the first ingredient on this list. Baconwhich should be the main selling point of this treatis in the ninth place, placed after sugar.
This entails that there is more sugar content than bacon.
Ingredients: Ground Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Wheat Flour, Water, Glycerin, Ground Yellow Corn, Sugar, Soybean Meal, Bacon Fat, Phosphoric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Calcium Propionate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6, T-4005 (added color).
10. Purina Alpo Variety Snaps Dog Treats
Purina Alpo Variety Snaps also has Wheat Flour as its number 1 ingredient, just like OlRoy.
As you might have noticed, wheat is present in all these treats, despite not being so nutritious.
Too much wheat can even lead to digestive problems and diabetes when taken in excess.
Ingredients: Wheat Flour, Beef Tallow (preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols), Wheat Gluten, Lecithin, Chicken By-Product Meal, Animal Digest, Lamb Meal, Oat Fiber, Mono and Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Garlic Powder, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6.
Recommended:16 Worst Dog Food Brands To Avoid (+16 Top Choices)
The Best Dog Treats We Recommend
This article wont be complete if we only consider the worst dog treats without recommending some good alternatives.
Based on research, reviews, and rankings, here are the 10 best dog treats that are good for your pooch. Only the real dealno artificial flavors, fillers, and toxic ingredients.
01. Rocco and Roxies Jerky Dog Treats
Despite the unfavorable image jerky treats have gotten after some Made in China treats got recalled, Rocco and Roxie distinguish themselves.
It being an American product is a win for it. Rocco and Roxie take the first spot in many lists of good dog treats, and it isnt hard to see why.
This treat is a doggy favorite because of its scent, texture, and even taste. It is so similar to real meat that your pooch would want more.
Rocco and Roxie have the scent of real beef, so much that you might even get tempted to have one.
As they put it, even we humans, with our seriously limited noses, can smell that these Jerky Sticks are the REAL THING from the moment the bag is opened.
Rocco and Roxie also come without wheat, soy, corn, and even gluten fillers.
02. Buddy Biscuits Oven Baked Healthy Whole Grain Dog Treats
The only possible downside of Buddy Biscuits is its high cost. But if you can afford it, you will get your moneys worth.
Buddy Biscuits is a healthy, well-balanced treat that you might even find in vets offices.
It is available in many pet stores too, making it easy to find.
Buddy Biscuits has different sizes that you can choose depending on your dogs size, along with a grain-free variety.
You also get the chance to choose from chicken, peanut butter, or bacon and cheese.
Dogs of all ages will be comfortable with this treat, and it has a low level of fat.
03. Wellness Wellbites Natural Grain Free Soft Dog Treats
The edge Wellness Wellbites has over many other products is its use of only natural ingredients.
It stays away from artificial additives, making it a healthy option for pets. Rather than artificial flavors, the brand used fruits and vegetables as flavor.
Wellness Wellbites is also easy to chew, good news for senior dogs and dogs with dental issues.
Furthermore, it doesnt contain soy, wheat, and other fillers.
There are no meat by-products too, and it was made in the United States of America. As a bonus, it is tasty!
04. Natural Balance L.I.T. Limited Ingredient Original Biscuits
Natural Balance dog treats were made with your dogs health in mind, and each ingredient reflects that.
The product contains duck, potato protein, canola oil, natural flavor, citric acid, and even natural preservatives. The name reflects the product.
Natural Balance is good for all ages as puppies, adults and seniors can benefit from it.
It is also good for dogs with allergies and those with sensitive stomachs because it is grain-free.
The best part? You get a satisfaction guarantee from the company.
05. Zukes Puppy Naturals Puppy Treats
Zuke treats are one of the most popular in the United States, and it is a common feature in training.
Compared to others, it is smaller and has low calories. Dog owners can give it multiple times as a reward without worrying about weight gain.
Zuke is also an American product, and it doesnt contain wheat, corn, or soy. It comes in different flavors, including chicken, duck, pork, rabbit, and salmon.
Even better, Zuke contains unprocessed food like fruits and vegetables.
06. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats High Protein Dog Treats Biscuits
Blue Buffalo offers a good, high-quality alternative for your dogs enjoyment and good health.
Blue Buffalo is crunchy, grain-free, and made in the United States with natural ingredients.
These include duck, chicken wings, chicken fat, potato, chicken meal, and natural preservatives.
Dogs that dont fancy soft treats may prefer this crunchier alternative. The absence of grain makes this treat highly suitable for dogs with allergies and sensitive stomachs.
07. Fruitables Baked Crunchy Treats
Fruitables Crunchy is natural and has an appealing aroma that would wake your dog from a deep nap.
It is made in the United States and comes in different flavors. It is also perfect for different dog sizes and even has resealable pouches to conserve freshness.
A downside to Fruitables Crunchy is that it is, well, crunchy. While that is good for some dogs, those with teeth issues may find it difficult to eat it.
That said, they can be used for training because of their low level of calories.
08. Zukes Jerky Natural Bites Beef Recipe Treats
Zuke Jerky is just as safe and recommended as the Rocco and Roxie Jerky, so your dog would be treated right (pun intended).
Zuke comes in small sizes, making it perfect for both big and small dogs.
The naturals in the name isnt for fancy. Zuke contains natural ingredients like real meat, carrots, apple, herbs, and blueberries.
The herbs are good antioxidants, which help with your dogs overall health. Zuke uses no artificial flavors, fat, or fillers. The packaging and aroma deserve credit as well.
09. Old Mother Hubbard Classic Crunchy Natural Treats
Our last recommended good dog treat is another crunchy biscuit with a name that oozes warmth. These treats have no additives, fillers, or artificial flavors.
Theres a variety of tastes to pick from, one of which even a picky dog would love.
The biscuits are also baked in ovens, keeping that natural flavor intact.
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FAQs
What are the most unhealthy dog treats?
Treats are good for dogs in many ways, but not all treats are healthy for them.
Low-end products often have ingredients that dont benefit dogs in many ways. Some examples are BegginStrips, OlRoy, Gravy Train, and Pup-Peroni.
What brand of dog treats is killing dogs?
Some dog treats are unhealthy and problematic, others have been blamed for causing illnesses and even death in dogs. Golden Rewards, a private Walmart label, is one such brand.
What dog treats do vets recommend?
Vets often recommend dog treats that contain some nutritious and natural ingredients.
These include bananas, carrots, apples, pears, peanut butter, and even green beans. Ensure that the peanut butter contains no xylitol.
Recommended:Can Dogs Eat Roast Beef? What Experts Say
Bottom Line
The major difference between bad dog treats and high-quality ones is the set of ingredients used.
Lower brands tend to try cutting corners by using fillers, artificial colors, and a high amount to entice the dog.
While your pooch might love the taste, it wont stay healthy for long if you keep giving it these low-quality dog treats.
Even with the good ones, caution must be taken. Treats are meant to be for special occasions, not an integral part of the dogs diet.
Ensure you get high-quality, protein-filled food for your pooch.
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