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Pork, bacon, and other pork products are popular human foods that dogs crave. Unfortunately, pork is not the best food for dogs, no matter how much they beg for it. In fact, some types of pork can even be dangerous for pups.

Dogs are carnivores by nature, and a large portion of their diet is made up of protein from meat. For this reason, a lot of dog parents don’t really give a second thought to handing over a piece of pork, or even bacon. The problem, however, is that there are quite a few variables that need to be met for your dog to safely enjoy pork, and the pork that humans eat usually doesn’t pass the test. Here's what you need to know before you feed your dog pork.

Is It Safe to Feed My Dog Pork?

Some types of pork are safe to feed to dogs, while others can be dangerous. Before you give your dog pork, it’s important to know what’s safe and what’s not.

First, dogs should only eat plain cooked pork. The ingredients that we use to make pork flavorful—think garlic, onion, chili powder, mustard, and lots and lots of salt—all pose dangers to our pups. That means that the cooked pork off of a human's plate (including that slice of fried bacon) is too decadent for your canine companion. No ham or bacon for Fido, and no cured pork products of any kind, including pepperoni, salami, and hot dogs.

Next, dogs shouldn’t be eating the fat of pork. Many pork products are high in fat, and some have sections of fat that remain on them even after they’re cooked. This fat is highly difficult for dogs to digest, and can lead to stomach upset, particularly due to inflammation and irritation in the pancreas. In fact, eating foods high in fat can lead to pancreatitis in dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Pork?

Dogs should not eat raw pork. If a pork product is raw, or otherwise undercooked, it is dangerous for both humans and canines, as it may contain Trichinella parasites that can cause pain, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, and other not-so-great side effects.

What about pork in a raw dog food diet then? The difference here is that the pork has typically been treated for this type of consumption, typically through a process of freezing for a set period of time to kill off those pesky parasites. However, commercial raw dog food can still contain pathogens. Standard raw pork from the grocery store, even high-quality pork, hasn’t undergone the same treatment.

Can Dogs Eat Pork Bones?

Never feed cooked pork bones to dogs. Any cooked bone can splinter and pose a risk for choking, internal injuries, or gastrointestinal obstructions. Even raw bones can be dangerous, so use caution. If you want to feed raw pork bones as part of a raw food diet, be sure to discuss safety concerns with your veterinarian.

How to Safely Feed Pork to Your Dog

Pork may not necessarily be a total no-go for your dog, provided you follow the guidelines above. If you want to feed pork to your pup, you’ll need to prepare it specially. Choose a lean cut of pork and trim away all visible fat. Do not add seasoning and make sure to cook it thoroughly. And you shouldn’t just be throwing down a pork chop in front of your dog and calling it a day. It’s crucial that you portion it out and only give small pieces and a limited amount, especially if your dog hasn’t had it before.

Keep a close eye on your dog after feeding them anything that’s outside of their standard diet, including pork. Any stomach upset, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or otherwise worrisome side effects should be monitored, and your dog should be taken to the veterinarian if these signs do not go away within a short period of time.

Pork Alternatives for Dogs

There are a lot of people foods that can be safely fed to your dog without having to worry too much, but pork isn’t one of them. If you follow all of the guidelines above and feed only minimal amounts, your dog will probably be okay, but with so many other options out there, it might be one human food you’re just better off leaving out of the equation altogether.

Sorry pup, but you’re just going to have to enjoy that bacon through the smell alone. We promise, there are a lot of other delicious things out there for you though, including carrots, green beans, peanut butter, and plenty of different kinds of fruits. Instead of pork, consider cooking up a lean protein-packed snack for your dog:

• Chicken (no bones, avoid skin, never raw, avoid raw chicken feet)
• Beef (lean cuts, avoid raw)
• Salmon and other fish (avoid raw)