Can Dogs Eat Chorizo?
Chorizo is delicious! This spicy, flavorful sausage is a staple in many Spanish and Mexican dishes. The best chorizo is made with natural ingredients and traditional methods. Whether you’re enjoying it in a paella, tacos, or (my favorite!) breakfast burritos, chorizo is sure to delight your taste buds.
And you know who else would probably love chorizo? Your dog of course! But important to slow down and ask ourselves, is this treat good for our pups?
We want what’s best for them after all. So, before you treat your dogs to just anything, make sure you’re not giving them a fatty, unhealthy, or even toxic snack.
So, what about chorizo? Can dogs eat chorizo? The quick and easy answer is: No, dogs should not eat chorizo. There are three main culprits that make chorizo a poor treat for your dog.
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Why Is Chorizo Bad For Dogs?
What makes chorizo such a succulent sausage to us, is what makes it a bad choice for dogs.
High-Fat Content
Chorizo is very fatty. In fact, fat makes up about 30% of chorizo’s calories.
While a little bit of fat in your dog’s diet is necessary for their health, too much fat can make them sick.
Fat is high in calories, and too many calories can lead to weight gain. An overweight or obese dog is at risk for several health problems, including joint pain, diabetes, and respiratory difficulties.
Garlic!
There are two different kinds of chorizo: Spanish chorizo and Mexican chorizo. I won’t go into all the ways the differences here. The main thing to be concerned about is that Spanish chorizo is traditionally made with garlic.
And it’s important to note that dogs should not eat garlic. Garlic can damage a dog’s red blood cells, so it’s best to avoid giving them any food that contains this ingredient.
This is not only a reason to be extra cautious with Spanish chorizo but all chorizos. There are many different recipes that home cooks follow which could contain other harmful ingredients for dogs
Loads of Sodium
Part of what makes chorizo so tasty is that it is high in sodium. Dogs do need some sodium in their diet. However, they can easily get too much if they eat foods that are high in sodium.
And too much sodium is very bad for dogs. Of course, you could look for low sodium chorizo when buying it, but that doesn’t negate the other reasons chorizo shouldn’t be fed to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Soy Chorizo?
Depending on your dietary needs, a healthier alternative to traditional pork chorizo, is soy chorizo, also sometimes known as soyrizo. It usually provides a high protein and is a low-fat option.
Unfortunately, soy chorizo is also usually high in sodium and contains garlic as well as other spices dogs can not have.
I suppose if you got lucky and found a low fat, low sodium, soy chorizo that also didn’t have any garlic or seasoning that was bad for dogs then it would be okay to let your furry buddy snack on it.
Try as I might, during my search, I didn’t find any soy chorizo that checked all of these boxes.
What If My Dog Eats Chorizo?
If your dog snags a tiny bit of chorizo that fell on the floor, odds are he’ll be alright. But don’t assume that to be guaranteed, monitor your dog for signs of garlic and sodium poisoning.
Signs of garlic and/or sodium poisoning in dogs include (but aren’t limited to):
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Trembling/seizures
If your dog has any of these symptoms, it’s important to take them to the vet immediately. If they are left untreated, garlic or sodium poisoning can be fatal.
If your dog ate more than a little chorizo you may wish to err on the side of caution and contact your veterinarian immediately.
Summary: Can Dogs Have Chorizo?
Can dogs have chorizo? In a word: No! Dogs cannot have chorizo. While this spicy sausage might make a delicious addition to your next meal, it’s best to leave Fido out of the equation.
Chorizo is high in sodium and fat, both of which can be harmful to dogs. Garlic, a key ingredient in Spanish chorizo, is also toxic to dogs. It’s important not to give your pup any food that contains garlic.
Dogs and soy chorizo (soyrizo) do not mix either. Soy chorizo usually contains at least some garlic in addition to other seasonings that can be terrible for your dog’s health.
So, if you’re looking for a tasty treat for your sweet dog, stick with something safe like pimentos or kohlrabi.