It hurts as a dog owner to realize that your mistake caused your four-legged furry friend to be sick. So one of the best things you can do for your canine is to learn what is nutritious and unhealthy for them. This knowledge will equip you to become the loving and caring dog owner you desire to be.
No, Vienna sausages are not safe for dogs to consume. They can cause complications in dogs’ digestive systems and their overall health, putting your dog at risk. So, you should have reasons for genuine concern if your canine accidentally eats Vienna sausages.
Misleading information online may lead you to believe it is safe to allow your dog to eat Vienna sausages simply because they are delicious. However, they are risky for your pooch. This article includes research-based answers on this topic to help you to understand the dangers of giving your canine Vienna sausage. For now, let’s review the specific consequences dogs may experience.
Is It Okay For Dogs To Eat Vienna Sausages?
No, dogs should not eat Vienna sausages. Though Vienna sausages offer some nutritional benefits to dogs, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits. Below are some reasons it is dangerous for your canine to eat this treat:
High In Fat And Calories
If your dog is prone to weight gain or obesity, you should never feed them Vienna sausages. This treat is high in fat and calories, which puts your pooch at risk of rapid weight gain. If your dog is not obese, it is still risky to give them Vienna sausages because they can prompt unhealthy weight gain.
Note that obesity is not the primary issue. Rather, it is the issues obesity can cause. When canines gain excess weight, they become lethargic and at risk for health issues, such as pancreatitis and kidney problems. Even in small quantities, Vienna sausages can still hurt your dog. So, it is better to avoid them.
Toxic Ingredients
Whenever you are considering the safety of any food or treat for your dog, you should consider the ingredients. Reviewing ingredients in Vienna sausages, you will realize many of them are not healthy for your pooch.
For example, Vienna sausage can contain garlic or onion powder. Such seasonings are known to be toxic for dogs.
Seasonings can make your four-legged furry friend suffer gastrointestinal issues and stomach upset. So regardless of how delicious Vienna sausages are, do not give them to your pooch. Though some consider the sausage to be safe without these seasonings, it is still risky to give them to dogs.
Unhealthy Additives
Many food manufacturers use unhealthy additives to preserve Vienna sausages, which can hurt dogs. For example, processed meats often contain the preservative sodium nitrate that maintains the taste of this meaty treat.
Sodium nitrate causes long-term health issues, including heart disease. So it is extremely risky to give Vienna sausages to your dog. Avoid giving your dog Vienna sausages at all costs. It is tantamount to negligence when you do not care what your pooch eats.
Excessive Salt Content
Salt in small quantities is safe for dogs. However, the high salt content in a typical Vienna sausage is not healthy for pooches. Common salt is a combination of sodium and chlorine, which is why it is called called “sodium chloride” in chemistry.
Too much sodium is risky for canines. An unhealthy quantity of salt, such as the high content in Vienna sausages, can lead to excessive urination, dehydration, and bloating in dogs.
Can Vienna Sausage Kill A Dog?
The answer to this question is not straightforward. If your pooch eats a Vienna sausage, this alone will not directly lead to death. Yet, this sausage can cause health damages that can eventually lead to the death of any pooch. Here are some potential health issues:
Kidney Damage
Because Vienna sausages are usually calorie-dense and high in fat, it is not shocking that they are linked to kidney damage. Generally, when pooches eat foods that are mostly meant for humans, excessive weight gain is usually the natural outcome.
So do not be surprised to see your pooch become obese after consuming many such treats. Interestingly, eating Vienna sausages can also lead to behavioral challenges, including a change in your canine’s eating habits.
Dogs can start disliking their usual meals when they eat such treats because they might prefer it to their regular food. So do not start a diet you cannot sustain in the long run.
Severe Digestion Issues
As a loving and caring dog owner, it is difficult to resist the pleading eyes of your pooch as they watch you eat Vienna sausages. Yet, you must never forget that the digestive system of your four-legged furry friend is not the same as humans. Some food you can digest easily causes huge challenges for canines.
For example, some of the seasonings and salt in this treat, which your body can digest quickly, pose serious issues for dogs. When your pooch consumes unhealthy treats, it can lead to stomach upset and other gastrointestinal issues.
Pancreatitis
Your dog can experience pancreatitis symptoms after eating too many Vienna sausages as a result of excess weight gain. If your dog battles pancreatitis, you will notice the following symptoms:
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Hunched back
Meanwhile, excessive weight gain can cause heart disease and pancreatitis. Another reason dogs may suffer pancreatitis when they eat Vienna sausages is their high sodium content.
If you notice any pancreatitis symptoms, do not hesitate to visit your vet as soon as possible for quick treatment. Delay can lead to fatal consequences.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a complication of kidney issues and pancreatitis, which may result from eating too many Vienna sausages. Even when your pooch is not suffering from kidney damage or pancreatitis, the excessive sodium content of this dog treat can cause dehydration.
When slow to deal with dehydration, it can get worse, causing vomiting and other complications for your pooch. So it is best to avoid allowing your canine to eat Vienna sausages in the first place. Prevention is always better than cure. There is no point in allowing your pooch to eat treats that result in having to seek medical attention.
What Happens If Your Dog Eats Vienna Sausages?
You should never give Vienna sausages to your dog. But if your pooch eats this treat accidentally, take the following steps:
Do Not Panic
Emotional intelligence is vital, whether you are parenting a human being or a dog. During a crisis, your natural tendency is to worry and fret. However, some people experience anger or frustration. Yet, none of these negative emotions solve the problem. So if your pooch eats Vienna Sausages, try to calm down because it is not a fatal situation.
In fact, it is unlikely that you’ll notice any symptoms immediately. Instead, you might find your canine happy and feeling well. What you should be more concerned about is ensuring that your dog does not develop the bad habit of eating such treats regularly.
If it is a friend or family member who gives Vienna sausages to your pooch, let them know they are not healthy for dogs. This approach should ensure that the person does not repeat the mistake.
Observe The Symptoms
On some rare occasions, your dog might feel sick after eating Vienna sausages, especially after eating large quantities. This might also be the case if your pooch has been eating this treat in your absence. Too many unhealthy treats can cause health risks such as kidney damage, pancreatitis, dehydration, and heart disease.
Watch for the following symptoms:
- Irregular urination pattern
- Unease
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Stomach upset
- Diarrhea
These symptoms are usually products of the unhealthy quantity of fat and sodium found in Vienna sausages. You have to be observant enough to notice when something is wrong with your dog. When you notice the symptoms above, it is obvious that you need to do something to address the situation. You need to act fast because things will get worse when you delay.
Visit A Vet As Soon As Possible
Eating Vienna sausages does not typically immediately harm dogs, but your dog may suffer if you do not do quickly address negative reactions.
This is critical if your four-legged furry friend displays stomach upsets and diarrhea. In some cases, your canine may lose their appetite and stop eating. Responsible dog ownership demands that you find help as soon as possible when you notice your pooch is sick.
Unless you are a veterinary medicine expert, you should not try to treat your canine by yourself. Visit your vet, so they can examine your dog and prescribe the best treatment method to restore your pooch’s health. Saving the life of your canine should be the first priority and treated with urgency.
Which Treats Are Safe For Dogs?
Since we have established that Vienna sausages are risky for your dog, it is vital to help you find healthy treats for your pooch:
Scrambled Eggs
Treats made with scrambled eggs will do magic for your dog. Eggs are packed with sufficient proteins and other nutrients that will nourish your pooch. Note that Vienna sausages served with scrambled eggs remain risky for your canine.
Let your dog enjoy scrambled eggs treat. It is safe as long as it is not excessive. It is a better alternative to Vienna sausages. Your dog will enjoy it without the risk of falling sick.
Note that serving Vienna sausage with eggs does not cancel out its health risks. It is better to avoid Vienna sausage altogether instead of risking your dog’s health.
Cooked Chicken
Raw chicken can be dangerous for your dog because of the risk of infections. But a cooked chicken sausage is delicious and nutritious for your dog. Cooked chicken is safe and healthy. Nonetheless, your pooch shouldn’t consume cooked chicken excessively.
Make sure you do not season meat with onion or garlic powders. Also, watch your dog’s salt intake. If you don’t, your dog may experience the same health issues you are trying to avoid by cutting out Vienna sausage.
Cooked Beef
It would be strange to find a dog that does not like beef. Dogs used to eat beef in its raw form in the early ages because pooches are predominantly carnivores. However, in the present day, you should ensure that your canine only eats beef when it is well cooked. This is to avoid gastrointestinal upsets due to the presence of bacteria or worms.
You can make delicious beef sausages for your pooch with cooked beef. You might save yourself the stress of preparing it by buying it. Though, if you prepare the sausage, you are better able to control the ingredients and decide the quantity of each ingredient to best preserve the health of your dog.
Cooked Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is both delicious and nutritious. So, you can be certain that sausages served with this vegetable will put you in your dog’s good book for the day. In moderation, this combo is safe and nutritious for your canine.
Sweet potatoes contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, and other nutrients. They also contain sodium and potassium. But your pooch should not eat sweet potatoes regularly. Eating them too often may cause sodium accumulation, which can lead to health issues such as dehydration and kidney damage.
