Bacon is one of the most common flavors when it comes to dog treats and food. I'm sure most of us think of the Beggin' Strips dog treats and how much dogs gobble them up.
With the look and smell of bacon, it does beg an even larger question which is can or should dogs eat bacon? While some might guess the answer, it also might surprise others as I'm sure most of us have given our dog a piece from time-to-time.
According to a post from Fetch Insurance, dogs should not eat bacon. The reasoning behind it is simple: "Bacon isn't recommended even as an occasional treat for dogs since it's so high in salt and fat. This rich food can even cause pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening for dogs." That makes a lot of sense and is a valid reason to not feed your dogs anymore bacon.
However accidents happen so if your dog does accidentally ingest some bacon, the best thing to do is to watch them and make sure they're not acting abnormally or have any unusual symptoms. As long as they're okay, you should be fine but if you do notice anything, be sure to contact your vet as soon as possible.
Is there a better bacon alternative for dogs?
For those who love bacon and eat it regularly, the news of dogs not being able to eat bacon might be shocking. However, in the post, Fetch shared an alternative which is: "If you're going to feed your dog bacon, opt for turkey bacon. Low-sodium, uncured turkey bacon without added seasonings can be a safer option for dogs who drool over the smell of bacon." Of course, this is just a treat occasionally and shouldn't be a part of your pup's regular diet.
If you're looking for something you eat to feed your pup, Fetch recommends giving your dog a turkey hot dog which is cut up so your pup doesn't choke. Honestly, I would have never thought of giving them to my dog so I had to share. Additionally, you could give your dog some plain chicken or turkey rather than bacon.
Even though dogs shouldn't eat bacon, it's good to know that from time to time, we can fry up some turkey bacon for them. Considering that turkey bacon is better than regular pork bacon, it might help you out as well. No matter what you pair your bacon with, it's nice to know that you have an alternative to share with your pup.