Has your little furry friend eaten a sausage case by accident? Or do you want to make their day with a delicious sausage treat? Either way, you may have started to wonder, can dogs eat sausage casings?
Yes, dogs can eat sausage casings as long as it’s natural! Natural casings are made from animal substances that aren’t harmful to your dog. But ensure the amount isn’t too much. However, don’t feed your dog sausages with artificial casings, as your dog may not digest those thicker collagen casings.
So, what if your pet ate artificial sausage casings more than required or showed food poisoning symptoms? Don’t worry – we’ll help you fix this in no time. Without any further ado, let’s dive into it.
Can Dogs Eat Sausage Casing?
Your furry friend is your most faithful companion, never leaving your side. So, you would obviously love to pamper your dog with delicious foods. And sausage is top on the list, isn’t it?
But, we know that a dog’s metabolism is ‘complexier’ than ours. Therefore, not every food is suitable for their tummy – the digestive system.
Here comes the sausage with its casings.
Is sausage casing fit for your pup? Should they eat it?
Well, not all sausage casings are suitable for dogs. If the casing is natural, your dog can eat it as natural casings are usually easily digestible. These casings are thin, don’t contain any chemicals, and are made from animal intestines.
However, if the casing is artificial, made of collagen, cellulose, or plastics, you need to be extra careful.
Artificial casings made from animal parts are edible enough for your dog. However, you must watch him for any side effects for a few days.
On the other hand, you should never feed your dog sausages with cellulose or plastic casings. These casings are thick and harmful to your dog’s health. So remove the casings before you give these sausages to your dog.
Which Sausages Can Your Dog Eat?
Many dog owners feel that all sausages are safe for their furry friends. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In fact, there are a few types of sausages that can be harmful to dogs. Those include sausages with casing, which can cause intestinal blockages in dogs.
Below are some of the best sausages for your dog.
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Sausage For Dog |
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Is Sausage Casing Bad For Your Dog?
Sausage casings can be bad for your dog if it isn’t natural. Even natural sausage casings can be harmful if taken in a huge amount.
So, how can you determine if sausage is natural or artificial? Generally, you must observe the casing appearance if it’s not mentioned on the packet. If the casing looks thick or lumpy, don’t consume it. A thin, non-plasticky, and non-smelly casing is generally a natural casing.
However, don’t feed it to your dog if you’re confused. Rather cut it down and give them chunky treats. Let’s see below how two casings differ from each other.
Natural Sausage Casing
There are two types of sausage casings: natural and artificial. Natural casings are made from the submucosa layer of an animal’s intestines. They are naturally edible and contain no chemicals.
The outer layer of natural casings is made of the sub-mucosa of an animal’s intestine. This layer is naturally edible and is generally very thin.
A dog shouldn’t have any problems swallowing sausages, but it should not be given too many or treated as a main source of protein.
If you give your dog sausage as a treat, it is fine to give them a few bites but never allow them to eat it whole.
Artificial Casing
Unlike humans, dogs have different metabolic rates and may be unable to process the fats in natural casings. A thicker collagen casing should be removed before giving sausage to your dog.
A dog can’t eat artificial casings, even if the casing is labeled healthy. It is something that you should keep an eye on. Even if your dog doesn’t display any obvious signs, It may still experience gastrointestinal upset.
To avoid this issue, you should feed your dog small amounts of food throughout the day. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, you should visit the vet as soon as possible.
The vet will recommend an X-ray if necessary. It’s not poisonous, but artificial sausage casings are not healthy.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Sausage
Many people wonder: “What happens if a dog eats an entire sausage?” The good news is that the dog won’t die from this unfortunate incident.
But there are many negative consequences for your puppy. They can suffer fatigue, nausea, upset stomach, and much more. Below are the two most dangerous situations and solutions on what to do if your dog eats sausage.
1. Dehydration
A large amount of salt in sausages is toxic to dogs, and an insufficient supply can cause dehydration. Fortunately, most sausages do not contain large amounts of these substances. But this risk is heightened if a dog eats a large enough amount.
Prevention
Give your dog at least double the amount of liquid you generally do to help relieve any dehydration issues.
2. Abdominal Aches
If your dog consumes more than one sausage daily, he may experience diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. If he does, you should take him to your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Prevention.
The first step in treating a dog after sausage ingestion is to deprive him of food for a few hours. It will give his stomach a chance to settle down and prevent dehydration.
Then, feed your dog bland food and water until the stomach settles. However, if your dog continues to be ill, it is best to take him to the vet as soon as possible.
What Sausage Casing Spices Are Toxic For Dogs
Several ingredients in sausage are toxic to dogs. Below are some of the most common ones:
- Nutmeg, a common spice in sausages, is highly toxic to pets.
- The compound in garlic is called myristicin, which can cause various adverse effects in dogs.
- Excessive salts, sea salt, or even tasting salt can cause an upset stomach
- A dog suffering from anemia will have pale gums, a reduced appetite, and a lowered energy level if too little iron is provided in its meal.
- Vienna sausage is also a high-fat product that may be toxic to dogs. This sausage is made from beef or pork and may contain spices or chicken broth.
The most significant danger of sausage for dogs is the fat content. Sausages contain about half of their fat. While dogs need fat in their diet, they should get that fat from healthy sources.
Why It’s Best To Avoid Sausage Casings For Dogs
You should never give a sausage to your dog in its casing if you are unsure whether it is safe. If you give your dog sausage, remove the casing from it, as it can be dangerous if it enters the dog’s intestines.
However, besides being unhealthy, sausage is also very fatty and salty. Letting your dog eat sausage can cause various illnesses, including obesity, cancer, and pancreatitis. A dog will also need constant monitoring after consuming it.
Are Sausage Casings Digestible?
If you love sausages, you probably wonder if the casings are digestible. Luckily, sausage casings are made of natural materials, like sheep intestines and pig skin. However, if you’re wondering, “are all sausage casings intestines?” The answer is that artificial casings are not!
A few things should be kept in mind before eating sausages with casings. Remove the sausage casing beforehand so you can enjoy a sausage with it and give munchy bites to your furry friend later on.
Which Sausages Are Safe For Your Dog?
Not many dogs can digest sausages easily. So, which sausages are safe for your dog? Well, there are a few options. Plain old hot dogs without casing are generally safe for dogs. Andouille sausage is also a good option – it’s made from pork and has a relatively mild flavor.
If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, try kielbasa or chorizo sausage, which are also pork-based. Avoid any sausages with the casing on, as these can harm dogs.
Try the two dog sausages below, which have the best sausage casings specially made for dogs. The treats below can also tend to the dental care of your pooch!
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Sausage Made For Dogs |
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Which Sausage Can Dogs Eat Raw
While sausage casings are not digestible, most natural ones are.
On the other hand, artificial casings are made from plastic and cellulose and are usually only found on mass-produced meats, eventually harmful to your dog.
Natural casings do not require cooking, so if you’re wondering about eating sausage without casings, this is the right place to ask. There are several things to remember when selecting sausages with casings.
Natural casings are made from the intestines of animals and are digestible if eaten afterward. Sausage made with these casings has more fat and protein than its counterpart.
They can be smoked or baked, and both types of casings contain a small amount of digestible fat.
The key is to choose the right type of casing for your sausage production. You can also choose from a variety of animal species. Pigs, lambs, and sheep are the main animal genera used to make casings.
Sausage Casing Alternatives
If you want to make a safe sausage treat for your dog, follow through with our sausage case alternatives to find more.
You can buy sausage casings from a butcher or online, but you must remove the casing to have crumbly meat. Most casings are edible, though they aren’t completely edible. Some sausages have thick, waxy casings, such as summer sausage.
If you want to remove the casing from your sausage, look for warning labels on the packaging. Once you’ve removed the casing, you’ll be able to enjoy your sausage without having to worry about the risk of ingesting the casing.
You can purchase natural sausage casings made of vegetable fibers instead or use a muslin cotton fabric t wrap around your sausage.
These are 100% cotton and won’t be susceptible to heat and moisture. You can even cut the strips to fit your sausage, which should be around 1.5 inches in diameter.
Final Word
Can dogs eat sausage casings? Are you still wondering about it?
Well, you can give sausage with natural casings to your dog. However, it’s best not to give artificial casings. Boil the sausage, or get rid of the sausage casing at first.
However, if your dog has already digested a sausage casing, keep hydrating them and look for uneasy symptoms. If you notice anything, take them to the vet immediately. Hence, until next time, keep your furry friend happy and bouncy!
