If your dog ate a little salami, you don’t need to immediately worry. The risk of your dog eating salami is associated with the portion size. Too much salami can put your dog at risk for salt poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive thirst. If your dog ate a whole roll of salami, call your vet immediately.
If your dog only ate a little slide, they should be okay. In the future, just avoid placing this salty meat where your dog can be tempted to snatch it for themselves.
If you’re curious to know why salami can be so harmful, read on.
5 Reasons Salami Is Bad for Dogs
While a single slice of salami may cause an upset stomach at worst, too much can cause more issues. Gerald Pepin, a canine nutritionist, notes that the processed meat is high in fat, sodium, and potential toxic spices, which can cause health issues for dogs.
Here is how salami’s nutritional quality can hurt your dog’s health:
- High sodium: Healthy dogs can adjust to differing amounts of sodium in their diet, but salami’s sodium content is extremely high. Accidentally ingesting too much salami can lead to electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and high blood pressure.
- High fat content: Consuming too much fat can cause dogs to gain weight and develop pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a painful and life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.
- Toxic seasonings: Salami usually has seasonings, including onion powder, which is toxic to dogs and can cause red blood cell damage and organ failure.
- Preservatives and additives: Salami contains ingredients to improve its features, including flavor, color, and shelf-life. These ingredients may also be toxic for dogs.
- Upset stomach: Even a small amount of salami can cause a dog to have an upset stomach, including vomiting and diarrhea. Smaller dogs are at higher risk for these symptoms.
Dr. Nell Ostermeier, a veterinarian with Figo Pet Insurance, also confirms that the above risks apply to all cured meats, including:
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Salami
If your dog accidentally got into salami, they may show no symptoms at all. But if your dog ate more than their body can handle, you may see signs such as increased water intake, due to the salt content, vomiting, or diarrhea.
No matter how much salami your dog eats, Pepin recommends taking the following steps:
- Monitor your dog carefully.
- Provide your dog with regular access to water.
- Contact your vet clinic for guidance.
To make sure your dog’s vomit and diarrhea symptoms as a result of eating salami, you may want to consider withholding food.
What to Do If Your Dog Has a Taste for Salami?
To prevent any possible health concerns, avoid salami and other sandwich meats, like ham, altogether. It’s best not give any table scraps either as it may encourage begging.
If you want to give your dog human foods to try, ideally as a treat or on top of their kibble, the following are safe options:
- Cooked lean, unseasoned ground beef, pork, or turkey
- Canned pumpkin
- Fruit, including blueberries, apples, and bananas
- Vegetables, including carrots, green beans, and broccoli
