We all know dogs like to get into all kinds of food. How often do they beg for it too? Chorizo is no exception to this, but can dogs eat chorizo?
No, dogs cannot eat chorizo. Even in small amounts, chorizo can be toxic to dogs. This is especially true if it’s raw or undercooked.
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What is Chorizo?
Chorizo is a red meat sausage made from pork and salt, onion powder, pepper, chili powder, garlic, etc. There are two types of chorizo: Mexican chorizo (usually raw) and Spanish chorizo (typically cooked).
Can Dogs Eat Chorizo?
Chorizo is not safe for dogs to eat. The pork protein found in chorizo is usually safe, but that’s about it. Even in small amounts many of the ingredients can cause digestion issues and be toxic to dogs.
For example, onions have chemicals in them which make them toxic to dogs. Garlic runs in the same family and is also toxic to dogs. Salt and pepper can cause digestion issues and lead to vomiting or diarrhea.
In short, we recommend not letting your dog have chorizo, even a small amount of it.
What Symptoms Can My Dog Get When They Eat Chorizo?
All dogs will react a little differently after eating chorizo.
In general, you’re likely to see some or all of the following symptoms though:
- Vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
- Loss of energy
Please note this list won’t account for everything. If you see other unusual behaviors in your dog, please contact your vet right away.
What Can Happen If My Dog Eats Raw Chorizo?
Chorizo needs to be cooked. So, if your dog eats raw or undercooked chorizo, it may get a disease called trichinosis. This disease is caused by a parasite.
Trichinosis can cause more than just an upset stomach in dogs. It can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and myalgia. In some cases, it can kill them. So, if you’re cooking chorizo, keep it out of your dog’s reach.
Does Chorizo Have Any Health Benefits For Dogs?
Pork is a good source of protein, which dogs need for energy and muscle growth. It’s also good for skin and hair. However, dogs should get this protein from dog food rather than chorizo.
Is Chorizo More Harmful to Puppies and Senior Dogs?
Chorizo is harmful to dogs of all ages, but puppies and senior dogs are more likely to suffer from it. Puppies are still growing, so their bodies have a harder time fighting off the possible bacteria found in pork. Senior dogs also have a harder time fighting off bacteria because their bodies are older and can’t deal with it as well.
When Should I Do If My Dog Ate Chorizo?
If you saw or think your dog did ingest chorizo, you have several options.
1. Monitor Them
Keep an eye on them as much as possible. This will help you to determine how bad their symptoms are and how to best move forward.
2. Call Your Vet
Always check with your vet before taking any other steps. If they aren’t available, they likely have emergency vet numbers on their site that you can also call.
3. Call An Animal Poison Control Helpline
Although an animal poison control helpline works more with poisonings, they still might be able to help you if your dog ate chorizo. Here’s some information from ASPCA and also some from the Pet Poison Helpline. They are available 24/7. There are other helplines too, if they can’t give you what you need.
4. The Last Resort: Induce Vomiting
If you have no other options available or if you can’t wait until one is, you can induce vomiting. We do not recommend this though unless a vet is handling it. Every dog and situation is different. Sometimes inducing vomiting can make those situations worse.
If you still want to induce, make sure your dog isn’t already throwing up, struggling to breathe, or showing other unusual health signs. Also, it’s not recommended to induce vomiting if it’s been more than 2 hours since they ate the chorizo. That said, here are the steps, if you need to take them.
1. Buy 3% Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
3% hydrogen peroxide makes dogs throw up in about 10-15 minutes. It can take close to an hour for the vomiting to finish though.
2. Administer The Solution
The suggested amount of hydrogen peroxide is 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds (2.27 kilograms) of dog body weight. This has a maximum of 3 tablespoons for dogs 45 pounds (20.41 kilograms) and up. The best way to give the solution to your dog is by squirting it between its teeth with a feeding syringe. Do not let them breathe in the liquid.
3. Monitor Your Dog
Once given, watch your dog throughout the entire vomiting process. You’ll want to look for difficulty breathing or other unusual behaviors. Do the same in the following hours and days. Schedule an appointment with your vest as soon as you can for a checkup. If possible, collect a sample of the vomit for them to inspect.
Are There Any Other Foods I Shouldn’t Give My Dog?
There are, actually. Milk is one and alcohol is another. In general, it’s best to avoid giving your dog anything that you’re not absolutely sure about. If you’re considering any kind of human food or drink, check with your vet first.
In Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Chorizo?
Dogs might want to eat chorizo, but can dogs eat chorizo? Sadly for them, no, they can’t. With this answer, you can keep your canine companion safe and healthy for years to come. So, what do you think? What has your dog gotten into that they shouldn’t have? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!