You would automatically think that any meat is okay for a dog. However, this is not true, such as pigs in blankets. Let’s find out why!
Do not give your dog “pigs in blanket” because bacon is high in salt and the sausage meat is not lean. Eating salty food can cause health problems for your dog, such as extreme dehydration. Eating fatty meats can also give your dog stomach problems or even cause pancreatitis in dogs.
What are Pigs In Blankets
It is a pork sausage wrapped in another food item, depending on which country you are in, referred to as a blanket. The pig is referred to as the pork sausage.
UK – Bacon
In the UK, pigs in blankets are sausages wrapped with bacon and are traditionally eaten with Christmas day roast dinner or as party bites around the festive period. They can come in all sorts of sizes, from cocktail sizes to large ones, and you can even put them together at home using a single sausage and bacon.
Australia and New Zealand
In Australia and New Zealand, Pigs in blankets is a sausage wrapped in bread.
US – Pastry
They are sausages wrapped in a pancake, biscuit dough or pastry in the US.
However, in this article below, I refer to the UK style only with pork sausage wrapped in bacon.
How Pig In Blankets Are Made That Makes Them Unhealthy For Dogs
Pigs in blankets are classed as processed meats. This is because it’s been modified to improve the taste or make them last longer on the shelf.
Let’s learn how pigs in blankets are made to understand that it’s terrible for a dog’s health.
Pig – Pork Sausage
Depending on the brand, there are many added species and seasonings in pork sausages, such as sage, thyme, ginger, pepper, chillies, or garlic. The meat added is usually parts of the pigs, like the guts, organs, blood, and head meat.
Blanket – Bacon
How bacon is made is through a curing process. You rub salt and spices on the meat and leave it for a while. The next step is to wash the meat with warm water and smoke or dry it. Port is already very salty, and adding even more salt makes it even more dangerous to a dog’s health.
What does too much salt do to a dog?
Too much salt can cause your dog to become dehydrated and, more seriously, can lead to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms to watch out for are vomiting, diarrhoea, thirst, tremors, high temp and seizure, and coma, which can be fatal.
If you think your dog has sodium ion poisoning, then you must take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
How much salt is poisonous to a dog?
Dogs need salt in their diet; however, excessive amounts are hazardous. Anything over 1.5 grams of salt per one pound of body weight is considered dangerous and will need medical attention.
How much salt is in a single medium-sized sausage?
Roughly a medium-sized 50-gram sausage has 0.75 grams of salt added to it.
The Ingredients That Are Bad For Dogs In Pig In Blankets
- Herbs
- Spices
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Salt
- High Fats
Help my dog just eaten pigs in a blanket?
Firstly don’t panic! Stay calm to have a clear head to decide what to do next. If they have just had a nibble or just one or two, they will be fine.
The amount consumed is significant, known as salt is the main problem in pigs and blankets.
Knowing how many grams they have eaten will help you determine if they have had a lethal amount or not.
Check the food packet to show how many grams per sausage and how much salt is there.
1.5 grams of salt per one pound of body weight is considered dangerous and will need medical attention.
However, for any signs of vomiting, diarrhoea, thirst, tremors, high temp or seizures, you will need to get your dog to a veterinarian for treatment as soon as possible. Early intervention can save their lives!
Recommended Read: How Much Protein Should A Dog Have Daily?
Conclusion
Making the right choices for our pets is something we need to do. In this case, pigs in blankets are just arent one of those good choices to make. I certainly never give my dogs pigs in blankets. Instead, op for leaner meat such as chicken. See my article on how I cook and serve chicken to my dogs.
Also, please read the story of my dog getting pancreatitis and a list of what you can and can’t give a dog.
