Three Meats to Avoid Feeding Your Dog

Bacon is high in fat and salt, which can upset your dog’s stomach and, in some cases, contribute to pancreatitis; ham is also typically very salty, so it is not a good substitute for plain meat. Sausage varies by recipe, but its fat and salt are concerns, and some varieties contain onion or garlic, which are toxic to dogs.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating why bacon, ham, and sausage are risky.

Raw or undercooked meat is a different concern: it may carry harmful bacteria or parasites, so it is not a safer alternative to processed meat just because it has fewer ingredients. Remove cooked bones before sharing any meat, since they can splinter or cause choking or intestinal injury.

If you want to offer your dog a bite, choose a small amount of thoroughly cooked, unseasoned, boneless lean meat, with no onion, garlic, rich sauce, or added salt. Keep it as an occasional extra rather than a replacement for your dog’s balanced food, and introduce any new food slowly so you can watch for vomiting or diarrhea.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating safer ways to share meat.

A small stolen bite of plain ham is a different situation from eating a large amount of fatty bacon or sausage containing onion, so note what your dog ate, how much, and when. Contact your veterinarian promptly if the meat contained onion or garlic, your dog swallowed a bone, or you notice repeated vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, or unusual weakness; our guide to sharing human food with dogs offers more everyday feeding context.

Our team’s Navigating Human Food for Your Pup eBook covers safe foods, toxic foods, and meal planning if you want a broader reference while deciding what to share with your dog.