Can dogs eat bacon?

Is your pooch giving you "the eyes" every time you eat a slice of bacon? Although they love the smell of many human foods, dogs cannot safely eat them all. Here's what you need to know about bacon for dogs. 

Can dogs eat bacon?

Although one tiny strip of bacon once a month isn't dangerous, feeding your dog bacon on a regular basis can lead to some serious health issues.

What's wrong with bacon?

Bacon is so good because it's very greasy and high in fats. Not only can it upset your dog's stomach, but it can also clog their arteries.

If your dog eats bacon often (even in small quantities), they can develop pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas.

Pancreas is the organ in charge of releasing digestive enzymes to help with digestion. Pancreatitis prevents the pancreas from working properly, therefore your dog can't digest food and absorb nutrients. The most common cause is poor nutrition, especially high fat diet.

Symptoms of pancreatitis

Although small breeds are more prone to developing this disease, large breeds can also be affected. The main symptoms are loss of appetite, vomiting, abnormal bowel movements, fever and lethargy.

Dangerous bloating

Bacon is also dangerous for dogs because of its high salt content, making your dog super thirsty. If they drink too much water, too quick, their stomach will blow up, put pressure on other organs and potentially twist.

This type of bloat can be fatal and must be treated as an absolute emergency. If your dog is vomiting, has a swollen belly, pale gums and is restless, call your vet immediately.

Overall, the risks of bacon causing health issues aren't negligible. It's always best to stay on the safe side and find less risky treats to give your pooch.

Curious about other foods? Find out if your pooch can snack on cheese and which fruits are safe for your dog to eat.