Can Dogs Eat Ham? When it is or isn’t an Emergency

Yes, dogs can eat ham as long as it’s plain but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for them. Ham as we know comes in many different varieties, some of which are more unsafe to dogs than others.

Why dogs shouldn’t eat ham

The main reason dogs shouldn’t eat ham is due to the unhealthy ingredients used to make processed meat. Most hams contain a fat content that’s a lot higher than other types of meat. It’s not good for a dog to be fed a high-fat diet. Wafer thin ham, for example, may contain 3 grams of fat in one serving. An odd slice of plain ham here and there is unlikely to make a dog sick but anything more frequent could lead to long-term health issues.

Many varieties of ham also contain a lot of salt and preservatives. The sodium-based ingredients are not good for your dog’s health. Smoked ham, in particular, could be quite bad for dogs because a single slice could contain about 0.30 grams of salt. The recommended amount of salt intake for dogs is about 100 milligrams for every 100 calories of food.

Gastrointestinal issues can’t be ruled out if you let your dog eat pieces of cooked ham too frequently. You should seek other healthier choices if you want to give your dog a nice tasty treat.

Can dogs have ham bone?

No, you shouldn’t let your dog have a ham bone. It’s not the safest choice of natural chew for dogs. Cooked ham bone, in particular, have a risk of splintering once it’s chewed on. Dogs that accidentally swallow pieces of ham bone are at risk of issues like choking and intestinal blockage. The same goes for ham hocks, which have a high risk of causing digestion problems in dogs.