Can Dogs Eat Pork Rinds: The Pros and Cons

When it comes to serving pups the right food, many people take into consideration the same concern they have for their children. You have to be mindful of their health, so you don’t harm them, so ensuring the food doesn’t contain any harmful substances is important.

Take, for instance, pork rinds…many people have served their doggies while there are other people who refuse to add it to their diet. So, is it a good option to serve your furry friends this particular human food during their mealtime? We will delve deeper into knowing whether it is good or not for dog owners to do, and answer the simple question: can dogs eat pork rinds?

What Are Pork Rinds?

Pork rinds, or pork crackling snacks, are a crunchy type of snack that was pretty much made for humans and not animals. They are also quite salty, which makes a lot of people wonder if it is safe to feed them to their dogs. We have all had that experience where our pups go crazy when they see us enjoying a little snack without them. However, due to how pork rinds are prepared and served as a finished product, it is best to leave it off your dog’s diet plan.

Pork rinds are popular in lots of countries around the world, such as Mexico, where it is known as chicharrones, and in the UK, pork scratchings. The snack is made from pork skin which is usually boiled and then scraped to get rid of excess fat. It is then cut into bite sizes and left to be dehydrated until it gets dry. The final phase includes deep-frying them until they become puffed up and crunchy. They are usually seasoned with salt and pepper, but the flavors include BBQ, cinnamon sugar, and salt and vinegar.

Pork rinds contain a high serving of both fat and protein, but they’re extremely low in carbs for those who are on low-carb diets. However, you might want to consider the fact that it is high in sodium and doesn’t really have any form of vitamins or minerals like fiber. A few brands also contain a lot of monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Your Dog and Pork Rinds

So, we now understand that pork rinds this popular snack was made specifically for humans, but does it mean your dogs can’t eat them? As a pet parent, you should always be mindful and careful when making decisions like these because the food could potentially contain ingredients toxic for your pup that causes either health issues or some digestive issues. If a particular ingredient in excess is bad for us, for example, salt and fat, it simply means it is also unhealthy for your dog.

Why You Should Keep Pork Rinds From Your Dog

As noted earlier, there are certain steps involved in preparing your pork rinds, such as deep frying. This method alone makes it a no-no for your pet. Fried food can cause diarrhea, upset a slightly sensitive stomach, cause abdominal pain, and a more serious issue…pancreatitis, which can be fatal if not treated.

If you are not sure if your dog has developed pancreatitis, you can look out for any of these signs…

• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Extreme dehydration
• Occasional shock
• Extreme lethargy

Should any of these symptoms arise, you must take your pup to the vet immediately to help them fix their digestive tract and prevent possible kidney disease.

Why is fried food bad for your dog?

It is because when food is fried, it produces a lot of free radicals that can cause inflammation and damage to your pup’s cells, leading to pancreatitis. Free radicals are also known to contribute to cancer cell growth. That fatty food simply has too much fat for your canine friend.

Can fatty food on a regular basis lead to heart disease? The short answer is yes. It can call a few health problems, and even weight gain for both human beings and dogs.

Preparation of Pork Rinds

Another drawback when it comes to feeding pork rinds to your dog is the fact that it has a lot of seasonings that are not healthy or safe for your dogs. Spicy pork rinds are a major no-no because anything spicy is toxic for them.

Spicy foods can cause diarrhea and upset stomach and may cause your pup to experience extreme thirst. Garlic and onions are also part of the seasoning package, and these, too, are toxic for dogs.

Pork Rinds Are Too Salty

Each ounce of pork rinds contains about 498 mg of sodium, according to Johanna Dwyer, professor at Tufts University School of Nutrition and director of the Frances Stern Nutrition Center. That means that pork rinds contain high amounts of salt, more than double what potato chips have. That makes for more toxic ingredients in this tasty treat.

Too much salt in their system will not only cause severe dehydration and excessive thirst, but that risk of salt poisoning can also lead to kidney damage. If you are worried that your dog may have ingested too much salt, you can look out for the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Tremors and seizures
• Depression

If you happen to give them pork rinds and notice they show any of these symptoms, we highly recommend taking them to the vet immediately for treatment.

Allergic Reaction

Just as much as humans have food allergies, it is the same as dogs. It can be an issue for dogs who have never had pork before. If you are not sure what to look for if they have a reaction, the symptoms are similar to all the others noted above, as well as

• Red and infected skin
• Ear infections
• Hot spots
• Bald spots and itchy skin

Once again, if you notice any of these signs after they have consumed the snack, it is best to contact your vet.

Dog Pork Rinds

You are not going to see fried pork rind treats or dog-safe versions of this salty snack that you can give Fido in small quantities. Between that high fat content and a lot of salt, there just isn’t a way to really make them good for a dog’s digestive system. Even homemade pork rinds will be too greasy. It’s just not a good idea as there are negative health benefits to this snack food. Why risk it?

Bear in mind dogs can’t determine what is good for them or not, so they depend on you for that. If you didn’t know the dangers of this popular junk food and what adverse reactions to look for, you can now take the necessary steps to give your furry friend what is best for them.

Personally? We stick with regular dog food and a few protein-rich treats like occasional scrambled eggs, fresh melon, or peanut butter.

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