Can Dogs Eat Bacon?

There’s probably nothing dogs love more than bacon. It’s the number one food dogs are known to steal from our plates, pans, and countertops—and if they could open the fridge, they’d be stealing bacon too. Luckily, bacon is non-toxic to dogs. The main concern, though, is the sodium, followed by the fat content. In fact, sodium is even more dangerous for dogs than fat!

I know you’ll feel sorry for your dog and give them a slice of bacon, or two, and then you’ll fall into the endless loop of guilt and guilt-tripping, but all processed meats are high in sodium and will be bad for your dog in the long run. Dogs shouldn’t eat ham, and they shouldn’t eat sausages—those tasty things you thought were safe for them since they’re basically meat are not good for them!

The main reason is that too much fat combined with sodium can potentially lead to health issues like pancreatitis and obesity. Not fun, and not good, but in this article, we’ll cover the key aspects of what happens when dogs eat bacon and how you can tell if they’ll handle the salt and fat (especially if they ate a lot by accident).

Can dogs eat raw bacon? What about the cooked bacon?

Dogs can technically eat raw bacon, but it’s not the best idea. Most bacon sold in the US is cured, meaning it’s treated with salt and preservatives, so it’s not truly “raw.” If you are making some real raw bacon, uncured bacon, then please don’t share it with your dog, as they really shouldn’t eat raw meat.

While cured bacon is less risky than completely raw pork, as there’s a lower risk for bacteria or parasites, it’s still not something we should give our dogs too often. The main concern is again the sodium, followed by the fat. So while raw bacon is safe for dogs, it’s still not recommended, just as cooked bacon isn’t.

Now, while dogs can eat cooked bacon, it’s not really recommended to give it to them. Cooked bacon is tasty, salty, and fatty, and if it’s fried in oil, it’s even worse for your dog.

Although it’s protein and may be tasty and not necessarily unhealthy for us, things are much different for our dogs, as their stomachs are not designed to handle salt and fat. Eating bacon as an occasional treat is also not recommended due to the cumulative effect of feeding your dog processed meats.

Can dogs eat turkey bacon?

Yes, dogs can eat turkey bacon, both raw and cooked, but it’s still not recommended just like regular bacon. While turkey bacon is often considered a healthier alternative because it has less fat than traditional pork bacon, it is still high in sodium.

If you decide to give your dog a small piece of turkey bacon, make sure it’s plain and cooked without any added oil or seasonings.

Is bacon generally healthy?

Ah, this is a big question. When it comes to bacon, it turns out that it’s not just the salt and fat we need to worry about. Fried bacon actually has one of the highest levels of something called heterocyclic amines (HCAs). HCAs are chemicals that form in meats when they’re cooked at high temperatures, like frying or broiling, and they’re known to be potential cancer risks.

In this study, fried bacon had more HCAs than fried pork, beef, or chicken. So, while bacon is tasty, it’s good to remember that cooking it until it’s crispy or frying it often can produce more of these chemicals. HCAs form depending on how long and how hot the meat is cooked, so the longer and hotter, the more HCAs you’ll get. That’s why researchers are always looking into how much of these chemicals end up in our food when we cook it like we normally do at home. In addition, WHO classified processed red meat as potentially cancerogenic, so with bacon and all the fun bits, I suggest we eat them sparingly and maybe not share them with our dogs.

What happens if dogs eat too much bacon?

First of all, don’t worry—bacon is not toxic to dogs, and if your dog manages to eat some, they will most likely be fine.

While a small bite of bacon won’t cause any harm, you need to remember that bacon is loaded with salt, nitrates, spices, seasonings, and sometimes even sugar if it’s cured. So if your dog eats bacon quite often, or if you give it to them, say, every week, there’s a chance that it can impact their health in the long run.

If your dog steals a large amount of bacon and devours it all, you need to watch out for signs of digestive upset. This can include bloating, vomiting, runny stool, and general discomfort.

You’ll also notice that your dog may become very thirsty, so be sure to give them plenty of water, but don’t let them drink excessive amounts all at once.

As you can see, a one-time mishap is okay and definitely something your dog can handle. However, repeated mishaps, using bacon as a treat, and regularly giving your dog bacon or other high-sodium processed meats can lead to health issues. These can include obesity, joint pain, and pancreatitis that requires medical treatment.

Please consider better alternatives to bacon that are both lean and nutritious, such as:

• Cooked lean chicken breast is a top choice for dogs.
• Cooked turkey meat is a great low-fat source of protein for dogs.
• Cooked beef.
• Cooked organ meat, is full of essential vitamins and minerals but should only be given in moderation.

If you’re interested in reading more about whether dogs can eat processed meats, then you can check our entire category and discover foods like sausages, salami, and addictive snacks like Slim Jims.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs eat bacon grease?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat bacon grease. It’s not toxic, but it’s just pure fat and salt and it will cause a mess to your dog’s stomach. They can end up with diarrhea or vomiting. Plus, over time, too much fat can lead to serious issues like pancreatitis or obesity.

Can dogs eat bacon bits?

Technically, dogs can eat bacon bits, but it’s not the best idea. Bacon bits are super processed and usually have artificial flavors, preservatives, and loads of salt, none of which are good for your dog. So, bacon bits are even worse than regular bacon.

Can small dogs eat bacon?

Small dogs can have a bite of bacon, but it should be tiny and only as a rare treat and it’s best if it’s a one-time thing. Since they are smaller, they will have a harder time processing all the fat and salt.

Can dogs eat bacon jerky?

No, they can’t. Most store-bought bacon jerky is packed with salt and other additives that aren’t good for dogs.