Can Dogs Eat Ham? 7 Harmful Effects of Ham on Dog’s Health.

It has often come into my observation that your beloved canine attracts towards the human food. It is kind of dog’s nature that he/she wants to share the owner’s food and try to get it with its innocent nature. But the question arises that, food which I am consuming e.g dates, pickles and applesauce is good for my dog’s health perspective. Well, it depends on the food.

Here we are discussing that is ham edible for dogs? Or can dogs eat ham? We are going to cover this topic from every angle so that it is helpful for our readers. First, we are going to explore that what is ham? How is it prepared?

What is ham?

Ham obtained from a pig; the meat from the hog’s behind leg is the major source of ham. It is fresh because it is unprocessed. It undergoes the curing and smoking process which adds more ingredients to it and become as cured ham. It can be dry cured, i.e., the addition of salts, sweet pickle cure (soak in a sweet brine with seasoning) or injection cure (inject with brine): -brine is a high concentration of salt in water.

Ham is rich in fats and proteins. It contains a significant amount of pasteurized salts, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, sodium chloride, sodium nitrite, sodium ascorbate, and dextrose. It stops further growth of microbes because with curing process food gets low in water concentration.

Then it is a major treat for gussets in Christmas and Easter celebrations. Its shortage in supermarkets of these special occasions is a clear proof that it is of great significance. It depends on you how you serve it, either with sandwiches or thoroughly cook it.

Now let’s see its relationship with your pooch.

Can dogs eat ham?

Well the answer to this question is “No.” Let’s discuss it thoroughly.

Ham is a compulsory and mouth watering treat on several occasions. To get together with guests or close friends, it is the main dish on the table. Often in such type of parties, your pooch move from person to person in search of leftovers and feed it to them. The point to ponder is that the pet should not ingest those human foods which are harmful to it. Ham is one of those unhealthy food items that can be injurious to your dog health.

The reason is that it preserved with different chemicals and ingredients list of which mentioned in above topic thus its main composition is harmful. It consists of high levels of sodium chloride and other preservatives because of this it can’t be digested.

It is rich in fats and proteins, i.e., it has fats as compared to other white meat. So abide it from those dogs which are already more in weight.

As compared to other white meat such as chicken and beef, ham is inferior to them. Ham is more notorious than beef and chicken, but it also has microorganism and indigestible. So it is slightly toxic.

It leads to other diseases such as pancreatic diseases. If the pet owner, observe ham under a microscope, he can properly see the microorganism such as bacterias and other parasites, which could be the reason for different several health problems.

Thus to avoid the ham from your pooch’s diet plan.

Small amount or one to two pieces are bearable, but if a significant amount of it is swallowed then several other health issues.

Now let’s go through them and also see their symptoms.

Harmful effects on health

There are many harmful effects of ham we will discuss them one by one. These are the side effects which can occur because of the intake of ham or if it consumed than moderate level.

• Effect on the pancreas.
• Bloating.
• Source of diarrhea and vomit.
• Giving birth to allergies.
• Lethargy issues.
• Internal injuries.
• Other problematic issues.

1.    Effect on the pancreas.

Ham is rich in fats and proteins. The function of the pancreas is to break down the fats and fatty acids and provide it to the body as fuel. The types of salts in ham cause pancreas to secret juice in abnormal rate, which can cause inflammation and may these juices, digest the pancreas and in such case, it leads to death.

2.    Bloating.

It also occurs because of the salty nature of ham, i.e., it contains a bunch of salts as preservatives (their names mentioned above). Due to thirst, your pooch will rush toward the water to quench his thirst. This sudden intake of water in large amount swells the stomach. Also, inhaling a lot of air with water starts the stomach ache, and in the severe case, it may twist and as a result death occurs.

3.    Source of diarrhea and vomiting.

You know that ham is not easily digesting. This complex nature of ham ingredients disturbs the stomach and poor canine start throwing up. And this ham ingestion often causes diarrhea and weakens him.

4.    Giving birth to allergies.

Well, if your dog is allergic to ham, it is good in a way that it will never munch on ham, but the other hand it can become the health issue for your pet. Because it will start to show the allergy symptoms such as itchiness, rash, red eye, sneezing, scratching and vomiting.

5.    Lethargy issues.

Well, another side effect it is that develops fatigue, and as being slightly toxic, it also affects mentally, i.e., he/she may seem inactive and not take an interest in fun activities. Enthusiastic levels go down and as result lethargy issues seem clear.

6.    Internal injuries.

Stop your dog from munching on the ham bones, these bones divide into tiny fragments and harm the teeth and gums. Other internal injuries can occur because of this human food.

7.    Other problematic issues.

The fatty nature of ham gives birth to several other health issues. Having too much ham in the pet’s diet can be the reason for severe heart issues. On the other abide it for those dogs that already overweight. It is the source of obesity.

If you see any of those above symptoms, then rush towards the vet hospital. All of these are the risky health stages. If your beloved pooch shows any of the above symptoms, then don’t be late. Consult with your veterinarian and give proper medical attention to your pet.

Conclusion

The final verdict is that ham is not recommended for your pooch. The small dosage of it can’t be harmful, but we still don’t recommend this human food to add it to your pet’s diet. The question can dog eat ham is entirely clear to the pet owners.

The summarize discussion of the whole article is below, just go through it will be helpful and benefit for the pet owner.

• Ham is rich in protein and fat, but the preservatives in it are not suitable for the dog. Use other white meat and beef in the pet’s diet.
• It is difficult to digest because of its ingredients.
• Curing process makes it harmful
• Upgrade your pet diet and abide him from ham.
• Ham is a delicious but dangerous microorganism can tame him.
• It is way much riskier to allow your pet have a higher dosage of ham.
• Different health problem takes place, which is completely described above.
• The ham bones also prohibited.
• Bones can’t stick in the throat, which may result in choking.
• And make tiny holes in the intestine and stomach.

Hope this whole article is helpful for pet owners. And they stop giving ham to your pet as leftovers.