Watch out for ham bones and heavily seasoned recipes before you offer your favorite pooch a bite.
Picture this: It's a big holiday meal, with a big holiday ham, and you're sharing feelings of gratitude and joy with all your family and friends. Do your four-legged canine friends get a piece too? We had a vet sound off on scenarios where ham may or may not be safe for your dog.
Can You Give Dogs Ham Safely?
So, is ham good or bad for dogs? It has protein, which is an important part of a dog's healthy nutrition.
But ham is probably not part of your dog's regular balanced diet, so it shouldn't count as a healthy meal, but instead as a treat that makes up no more than 10 percent of your dog's daily caloric intake, according to Renee Schmid, DVM, DABVT, DABT, a veterinarian toxicologist who works with Pet Poison Helpline.
"A small piece or two of ham is not likely to be problematic in a healthy dog," Schmid says. "Ham is a source of protein, but for certain dogs, the risk outweighs the benefit of feeding it."
Ham can be high in sugar, salt, fat, and excess calories, depending on the recipe. That's bad news for dogs who are prone to gastrointestinal upset, who are obese, or who have a chronic illness affected by salt intake like heart disease. (Ham is not good for cats, either, if you have multiple pets in your household.)
"Frequent feeding of ham is best avoided, especially in older animals," Schmid says. Excess fat in ham or other human food can also cause a painful health condition called pancreatitis.
And if you do feed a little ham, avoid raw or seasoned ham, as raw meat can carry disease and various seasonings (like onion and garlic) can cause upset canine stomachs or cause poisoning.
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How Much Ham Is Too Much for a Dog?
"This is a tough question," Schmid says. "It's very dependent on the dog's size and health status."
A little bit of cooked ham as an occasional treat for a healthy dog is fine, she says. But a pet with a sensitive stomach or other existing health conditions might react badly to even a thumbnail-sized piece.
If your dog sneaks some ham off the table at Thanksgiving or Christmas or you're experimenting to see whether it agrees with your dog, watch for signs of a bad reaction, including:
If signs don't resolve soon, call your veterinarian.
Can Dogs Safely Eat Ham Bones or Ham Hocks?
Ham hocks are made from the joint that connects a pig's foot to its leg. They're large enough that a dog who wolfs one down could choke. Ham hocks can also cause digestion problems, so avoid them for dogs.
Ham bones are best avoided, too, according to Schmid.
"Any real bone can splinter and cause damage to a dog's esophagus, stomach, or intestinal tract," she says. "Ham bones are generally more brittle than other bones, like chicken, and can splinter more easily."
Cooked ham bones are an even bigger problem, because they're even more prone to splintering and could be a choking hazard.
If Not Ham, Then What Human Foods Are Healthy for Dogs to Eat?
If ham is out as a regular treat for your dog, what other healthy human foods would make better alternatives? (Don't worry—there are plenty of options to share with your canine companion.)
You can feed these human foods (in moderation) to healthy dogs:
And if you want a crash course on some common human foods and ingredients that can be toxic for dogs, here are a few big ones:
RELATED: 6 Tips to Make Thanksgiving Safer for Your Pets This Holiday Season
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Oops! Did your dog get into the trash and dig out a ham bone? Did he wolf it down before you had a chance to get it? It happens! Dogs are always out looking for something to snack on! However, there may be some things you should watch for now the ham bone’s gone.
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Dogs & Bones
Your fur baby’s ancient ancestor is the wolf. Think of that for a minute and then look at your dog. Can you see the resemblance? Well, it might be challenging to see, especially if you have a small, regal Shih Tzu or a similar dog. Still, your dog’s wild ancestors were once wolves. What’s the point? We’re getting there!
The point is that ancient wolves and other canines have always hunted their prey and eaten it whole. That means bones and all. The same applies today with wolves and wild dogs. They eat every part of the animal, including the bones.
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Bones contain many valuable nutrients that wild canines have needed for thousands of years. Our domesticated canine companions haven’t changed too drastically from their wild cousins. They still need about the same nutrients as a wolf.
So, why are we so fussy about giving our dogs bones?
Be Careful Giving Your Dog Bones
The reason comes down to the type of bones we give our dogs. Raw bones are much safer for your dog than cooked bones, no matter what kind of bone you may have.
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The problem with cooked bones is that they become dry and brittle. When chewed or crunched by your dog’s teeth, the brittle bones can shatter into thousands of sharp pieces. And this is where the problem starts to become dangerous.
Health Issues Caused by Brittle Bones
There are a number of health issues your dog could suffer from after eating cooked bones. We’d like to take a look at a couple of problems that could be serious.
Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract: this condition is caused by fine, sharp bone fragments. The sharp bone fragments enter the gastrointestinal tract, where they can puncture or perforate any organ. This can lead to internal bleeding, which is a medical emergency.
Intestinal obstruction: this condition can be caused if a large bone is ingested whole. The bone can become stuck in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. This leads to a blockage, which is another medical emergency.
Can Dogs Eat Ham Bones?
Possibly. The answer depends on whether or not the bone was cooked or not. If the bone was cooked, your dog shouldn’t be allowed to eat it. If the bone was raw, he might enjoy it but be sure to monitor him at all times.
If your dog has swallowed an entire ham bone, then it’s probably a good idea to call the vet now before your dog starts to show symptoms. Your vet will have the advice needed on the next steps required in his care.
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