Dogs Cannot Eat Salami Safely, Here’s Why

In the United States, salami is most likely dry-cured pig sausage sold as a solid, long log that can be sliced into bite-sized pieces. “Cured” refers to how it is dried and salted for preservation. Various parts of pigs are diced, crushed, and blended with salt and other spices before being wrapped in a casing and allowed to cure. 

These are the main components of salami. While humans love salami on their sandwiches, you may wonder if you can share some with your doggie. So, what’s the verdict? Can dogs have salami? No, it’s not recommended, and they shouldn’t eat salami! Salami is excellent on pizza and other dishes but is not great for our four-legged pals. It may be delicious, but it can adversely affect your pup. 

There are several healthy food and treat options to feed your pup besides salami. Some treats can even help their fur or even help calm them down. Isn’t it better to treat them with something healthy and safe? Keep your sandwich away from your dog as you get the scoop on dogs eating salami.

There Is Too Much Salt in Salami

Dogs should consume some salt since it helps to maintain physiological fluids and supports the health of their organs and nervous system. However, excessive salt intake and higher salt content in food pose several dangers for your dog. 

If your dog suffers from cardiovascular conditions like heart failure or heart disease, you should pay special attention to how much salt your pup eats. Giving your dog too much salt may make them get severely dehydrated and potentially develop sodium overdose. 

Dogs that have no access to water and have consumed an excessive quantity of salt in a short period, will draw water from their body cells to balance the blood salt levels. Dogs will naturally seek for water to quench their thirst. This results in brain cell destruction and may produce neurological symptoms like headaches or seizures.

High Blood Pressure and Salt Poisoning 

Hypernatremia and high blood pressure in your dog are both caused by high blood salt levels. If your dog has anemia, high blood pressure might be dangerous. You should avoid giving salty meals to your pet if they have naturally high blood pressure and consider switching to low-sodium dog food.

Dogs may exhibit various symptoms of salt poisoning, including neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular symptoms. The most typical symptoms are intense thirst and frequent urine, which, if your dog has access to enough fresh water to drink, may help save their life. This is so that the salt in the blood, which the water dilutes, can be eliminated from the body through urine.

Pancreatitis and Dehydration 

Salt increases the chances a dog can get dehydrated, and paired with the high-fat content in salami, it can cause pancreatitis. Dog pancreatitis is one of those disorders owners must be aware of before it manifests. 

This is because it has the potential to be fatal, the warning signs might not be visible at first, and the symptoms may be misinterpreted as something less serious. A veterinarian should be consulted as soon as possible if pancreatitis is suspected since it can be dangerous. 

Pet owners shouldn’t try to help the dog on their own. The symptoms can be vague, like vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and a swollen tummy. If your dog shows these signs after snagging a piece of salami, it could be pancreatitis.

Onion and Garlic Risks for Dogs 

Salami often has seasoning in it that is toxic to a dog. Onion and garlic are in most forms of salami. Red blood cells are harmed by the poisonous substance Thiosulfate found in onions, which causes their breakdown and destruction. Hemolysis is the process that causes anemia and the browning or reddening of the urine. 

The body’s organs aren’t getting enough oxygen when dogs have anemia. In extreme circumstances, organ failure and death may follow. Another member of the allium family is garlic. They also contain thiosulfate, which is harmful to dogs but not to people, like onions. It is an emergent situation if your dog eats either of these.

What Happens if a Dog Eats Too Much Salami?

If your dog overeats salami, watch for the signs of pancreatitis and salt poisoning. After a dog eats a large amount, you will need to take them to the vet to be on the safe side. Salt toxicosis has no specific treatment. 

It is crucial to remove any questionable feed, water, or other materials right away. All animals must have access to fresh water, initially in small amounts, to prevent clinical symptoms from escalating. In more severe cases, they may need help controlling any seizures that may be present. 

A vet will check the dog’s electrolyte and hydration levels and reestablish the dog’s regular water and electrolyte balance over many days. If your dog gets pancreatitis, they will need help from a vet to control pain, medications, and withhold food if necessary. Since there isn’t an exact cure, treating the symptoms helps them recover better. 

Conclusion

Dogs shouldn’t eat salami. While a small slice of salami is unlikely to cause any issues, consuming excessive amounts of salami can be harmful to your dog’s health. Numerous health issues are correlated with salami’s high salt content, not to mention the garlic or onion that may be in it. 

Keep it out of your doggie’s reach when enjoying your sandwich to avoid any issues. If your dog does manage to get some watch for signs of distress. Dogs that get a hold of a big package of salami because freaky things happen may have adverse symptoms within a few minutes or hours. If this happens, take them to an emergency clinic so they can be examined. 

Taking a picture of the ingredients might help your vet know how to treat your dog better. Now that you know that salami isn’t a good snack for your dogs, you can share this article with other doggie owners. You can see what other meats your dog can and can’t eat listed below.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/igorbondarenko