Can Dogs Eat Bologna? The Surprising Answer

It can be tough to figure out what’s safe for your dog to eat and what’s not. Some people might tell you you can give your dog bologna, while others say it’s a big no-no. So, can dogs eat bologna? The answer may surprise you! In this cle, we’ll look behind canine diets and find out once and for all whether or not dogs can eat bologna.

Can Dogs Eat Bologna? 

Dogs love meat, and even though they are not carnivores, they have become accustomed to eating mainly that. Their diet must be heavy on protein and fat, which is what meat supplies them with. There are multiple types of meat but should your dogs be given every kind of meat? Lunch meat, as a rule, isn’t even the best option for humans, let alone our furry friends. Hot dogs, that Oscar Mayer bologna, or other cold cuts are very different from lean ground beef. It isn’t exactly a healthy treat.

Let’s face it, bologna is a type of meat that dogs and humans love, but is it a good choice to serve them? Well, bologna isn’t a lousy meat option for dogs when done in moderation, but does have harmful ingredients. 

While many people would rather not go too deep in research and simply cut it from their dog’s diet, others check it out and serve it accordingly. However, we don’t want you to let your furry baby miss out on anything, so journey with us in knowing the best way to give them a bite… 

First Off, Can Bologna Kill My Dog? 

Don’t stress if you notice your dog snatching a piece of bologna off the table or counter, as this won’t necessarily harm them. The concern may need to come in if you notice they have too much over a long period. Large quantities of all those chemical compounds can create serious side effects.

Bologna has a lot of sodium, as it is processed meat and may contain other chemicals. Over time, too much in their system can lead to significant health issues like pancreatitis. But, before you stop treating them to a nice bologna treat, understand that the illness doesn’t solely come from eating, just that…it all goes down to their complete diet and lifestyle. 

For small dogs, excess amounts could be more detrimental than if you had a larger dog. You can make it an occasional treat for them. You may want to cut it entirely from your dog’s diet, who might be overweight or have other health problems.

The Drawbacks to Bologna for Your Dog 

The excess salt content is too much for their system, even though some salt is needed. There is also a high amount of omega-6 fatty acids, which their system can do without (small amounts won’t do any damage). 

Creating the meat also shows chemicals and preservatives being added…substances that your dog’s diet should do without in excessive amounts. 

Many tests have also demonstrated that bologna doesn’t have many nutritional elements, it is primarily fat and has high levels of sodium. It is also high in calories, so serving too much could throw their daily calorie limit overboard. 

Corn syrup in bologna is also said to be an additive bad for canines (not to a terrible extent). A little won’t hurt “every now and again,” but just as it is bad for humans in excess amounts, it is the same for your pups. Some of the most common health conditions your dogs can develop from consuming too much include but are not limited to: 

● Hypertension – Whenever you visit your doctor, who tells you to cut your salt intake, just know your blood pressure level is above it. It is the same with your dog; if they consume too much salt, it could lead to an extreme case of hypertension which would initially be detrimental to their health. Who wants to give their furry friend heart disease or high blood pressure?

● Diabetes – Corn syrup is often found in bologna, and the extra sugar is something your dog can do without. The added sugar can build up over time and lead to diabetes and obesity in your dog. It is essential to check your dog’s weight; if you notice it is getting too high, it could be time to alter their diet. 

● Kidney Disease – Bologna is filled with preservatives, two of which are butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene. These harmful nitrates are dangerous for dogs and humans and could gradually lead to kidney failure in your pup. Bologna usually has onion powder also, and onions are a toxic food for canines.

● Cancer – the high levels of nitrate in bologna are known to react negatively with amines and, if not careful, could develop cancer over time. 

The list of nutritional benefits of bologna sausage are pretty minimal – it isn’t a good idea for anyone’s digestive system.

Allergic Reactions – Can Dogs Eat Bologna

Bologna is passed as a “mystery meat” as one cannot necessarily tell what is contained in it. The meat can be made from a mixture of just about anything, which can threaten your dog’s allergic reactions. Bologna can have a mix of different meat like chicken or pork and a bunch of fillers. You could be serving your dog something they are allergic to, and you don’t even realize it. If your dog has digestive issues or occasional stomach upset, you may want to be careful how you serve them bologna. In addition, be careful how you leave it out as they can be sneaky and steal a bit and, in turn, hurt themselves unknowingly. 

Another critical point to note is if, after consuming bologna, you notice your dog is drinking more water than usual, vomiting, or having diarrhea, this could be a sign of salt poisoning. The high salt content might cause smaller dogs a medical emergency.

Try Some Healthy Alternatives 

No, bologna should not be fed to your dogs every day, but it doesn’t mean they can’t get a bite now and then. But, there are many alternatives you can treat them with that have a lot more benefit to their bodies, such as… 

• Turkey 
• Chicken
• Beef Liver
• Steak 
• Ground Beef 

These are not processed and are directly lean meats, which have a high level of protein that is essential for your dog’s well-being. They all make great meaty treats.

The next time you make a bologna sandwich for yourself and your doggy is getting excited to be in on the action, you can make them a small one too. Just don’t do it every day, as table scraps regularly can lead to overweight dogs. 

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