Can Dogs Eat Spam?

Spam is a brand that sells canned pork, as well as other meats. It might seem like a good idea to feed your dog Spam or another brand of canned meat, maybe as a treat or even a kibble topper. After all, meat is very good for dogs and should be a staple in their diet.

Unfortunately, Spam contains high quantities of salt and fat, both of which can make your dog sick. It also contains unhealthy preservatives and high amounts of sugar. If your dog eats Spam, monitor them for signs of stomach upset, salt poisoning, and pancreatitis.

In this article, we’ll discuss why dogs shouldn’t eat Spam, symptoms to watch for if your dog does eat Spam, and more.

Spam Isn’t Good for Dogs

Spam isn’t healthy for dogs, and ideally shouldn’t be fed as a treat. It contains too much salt and fat for dogs, both of which can make them sick if fed in high amounts.

It also isn’t very nutritious, as it contains a lot of potato starch as a filler. Spam contains high amounts of sugar as well, which isn’t healthy for your pup.

While a very small amount of Spam might not hurt your dog, it likely isn’t going to be worth the risk. Below, we’ll go over the risks of spam for dogs.

Risks of Spam for Dogs

The first risk of Spam for dogs is salt poisoning. While dogs do need some salt to survive, just like humans, excess salts are bad for them and can actually be toxic. Your dog should get all the salt they need in their dog food.

If your dog doesn’t have access to fresh water alongside salty foods, this is even more dangerous. One of the biggest risks of your dog having too much salt is dehydration.

The excess salt can also become too much on a dog’s kidneys, leading to kidney damage or failure.

Symptoms of salt poisoning include:

• Excessive thirst or urination
• Loss of coordination
• Stomach upset (vomiting, diarrhea)
• Decreased appetite
• Tiredness
• Tremors or seizures
• Coma

If your dog shows symptoms of salt poisoning, please see a veterinarian right away. In severe cases, your dog’s kidneys can be damaged and they can become severely dehydrated. Salt poisoning can be deadly, especially if left untreated.

The second risk of Spam for dogs is pancreatitis. This is an emergent condition that occurs when a dog’s pancreas becomes inflamed. Fatty foods are one cause.

Symptoms of pancreatitis include:

• Stomach upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
• Intense abdominal pain
• Fever
• Tiredness
• Decreased appetite
• Increased thirst
• “Downward dog” or praying position with the hind end in the air and the head low to the ground
• Shock
• Depression

If your dog shows signs of pancreatitis, it’s important that they see a veterinarian right away. If your primary vet is unavailable, call your nearest emergency clinic for help.

What About Spam Lite, Turkey, or Low Sodium?

Unfortunately, even the various flavors of Spam are unhealthy for your dog. They still contain unhealthy additives.

For instance, even the Spam that’s marked as having 25% less sodium still contains too much salt for a dog.

Help! My Dog Accidentally Ate Spam

If your dog ate Spam, don’t panic! Luckily, it doesn’t contain toxic ingredients and most dogs will be okay after eating some Spam. 

Provide them with lots of fresh water to offset the salt in the Spam and decrease their risk of dehydration or salt poisoning.

In a case where your dog ate a lot of Spam, it’s a good idea to contact a veterinarian for advice. Let them know the ingredients in the Spam, how much your dog ate, and if they’re showing any symptoms of stomach upset, dehydration, or illness. Remember that behavioral changes, like tiredness, are also symptoms worth noting.

Keep an eye on your dog after they eat Spam, even if they only had a little. You might see some stomach upset. If it becomes severe or lasts several days, contact a veterinarian for help.

If you notice symptoms of pancreatitis or salt poisoning, call an emergency vet clinic or see if your primary vet can get you in for an emergency visit.

What Canned Meat Can Dogs Eat?

In general, canned meat isn’t good for dogs because it tends to contain salt and other preservatives.

Some may contain seasonings or other ingredients as well that are unhealthy for or even toxic to dogs.

While you can rinse canned meat (that doesn’t contain toxins) to remove some of the salt content, it’s better to just avoid them altogether or to feed them as a rare treat.

Using canned meat to top kibble or feeding it daily isn’t advised. It’s better to give your dog cooked, unseasoned fresh meat or use store bought canned dog food in this case.

There are also kibble toppers sold in stores that you can use instead of canned meats!

Next Up

• Can Dogs Eat Corned Beef?
• Can Dogs Eat Sausage? Sort Of.
• Can Dogs Eat Rib Bones, Are They Safe?

The photo featured at the top of this post is © jreika/Shutterstock.com