Can Dogs Eat Slices of Ham? A Vet’s Guide to Feeding Ham Safely

As a dog owner, you likely want to share tidbits of your own meals with your furry friend. So you may wonder, can dogs eat slices of ham from your sandwich or leftovers? It’s a common question, since ham is a favorite flavor for many people.

The answer isn’t straight forward. While an occasional small bite of ham won’t harm your dog, there are some risks with feeding larger amounts. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of feeding ham to dogs and tips for keeping your pup safe.

Is Ham Toxic to Dogs?

The good news is ham is not toxic to dogs in small amounts. Pork in general is no longer considered high risk for dogs as modern processing methods have greatly reduced the incidence of trichinosis and other parasites.

So you don’t need to panic if your dog sneaks a bite of ham from your plate. However there are some important reasons why ham should not make up a regular part of your dog’s diet.

Potential Risks of Feeding Ham to Dogs

Here are some key reasons veterinarians recommend limiting ham for canine consumption

• High sodium content – The sodium used to cure ham is unhealthy for dogs, putting them at risk of sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death.

• High fat – The high fat content of ham, especially the marbling on certain cuts, can lead to pancreatitis and other digestive upsets in dogs.

• Difficult to digest – The high fat and salt content makes ham challenging for dogs to digest. It is not considered a high quality source of protein for dogs.

• Nitrates/nitrites – These preservatives used to cure ham can be toxic to dogs in large quantities.

So while the occasional small, lean piece of ham is unlikely to cause problems in an otherwise healthy dog, regular consumption does come with risks.

Safest Ways to Feed Ham to Dogs

If you want to share a little ham with your dog, follow these tips to reduce risks:

• Avoid fatty pieces. Choose lean, low sodium ham and trim any visible fat or rind. Opt for a high quality reduced sodium variety.

• Go for a few small bites. Treat ham as an occasional snack, not a dietary staple. A few small bitesonce a week or less is safer than daily ham treats.

• Avoid processed ham products. Deli slices, ham jerky, cured hams with honey glazes etc. can be high in fat, salt and sugar. Fresh lean ham is better.

• Don’t give ham bone. The bone can splinter and cause obstructions or perforations in the gut.

• Avoid if dog has health issues. Don’t feed ham to dogs with kidney disease, heart disease or pancreatitis concerns. Talk to your vet.

When in doubt, check with your veterinarian about whether ham is appropriate for your individual dog. Some dogs tolerate it just fine while others are best avoiding it altogether.

Healthier Meat Treat Alternatives for Dogs

Rather than ham, choose unprocessed lean meats to provide protein for your dog. Here are some healthier treat options:

• Baked chicken breast
• Plain boiled eggs
• Beef liver
• Turkey slices
• Plain cooked ground beef or turkey
• Canned sardines or tuna packed in water
• Plain yogurt
• Unsalted peanut butter

Check with your vet if you have questions about how much lean meat is appropriate for your dog based on their health, weight and nutritional needs.

While ham might be a tasty snack for humans, it’s best reserved only as an occasional treat for dogs. Be sure to serve it in moderation. Small amounts of fresh lean ham are less likely to cause problems, but regular high fat ham can put your dog’s health at risk. Talk to your vet if you have any concerns about feeding people food like ham to your pet.