Is Ham Safe For Dogs?

Is Ham Safe For Dogs?

Whenever humans eat, their dogs are bound to run right up to them and use the ultimate weapon to get what they want: the puppy eyes. No dog parent can resist that cute look on their pooch’s face, so they’re bound to give in.

And, if you’re a dog parent, you probably love sharing things with your dog. Ham seems like something that would be totally safe for a dog. But is it really?

As with most things, you need to ask your vet if you can give your dog ham or not. But some general guidelines can give you an idea as to how safe ham is for your dog. Even though ham is a protein, it usually contains a lot of sodium, which can be bad for dogs. Too much sodium can be toxic to dogs. And even if it isn’t toxic, it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Sometimes it can even lead to seizures and kidney issues. Ham is also higher in fat than most other meats. If your dog’s diet is balanced, adding more fat could only do your dog harm.

The worst part about ham is cooked ham bones. Because they are cooked, they can get soft and can splinter. So, if your dog chews on them and they swallow a splinter, that could hurt their mouth, throat, and internal organs. In severe cases, this can be fatal for your dog. And raw bones are not much better, as they can contain harmful bacteria.

Small bites of ham won’t hurt your dog. Just be careful not to give them too much, and make sure you don’t let them near bones.

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