Can dogs eat their nature? Well, we had our childhood thoughts that hotdogs are relatively cultured from the meat of dogs.
Hilariously, some people believed that hot dogs came from dogs — but it’s not!
In reality, hot dogs are finely processed meats, usually from pork or beef. They are partly compacted in casting to form their cylindrical shape gradually.
If you may wonder where this food got its name, it began during the 19th century in Frankfurt, Germany, where the sausages were called “dachshund” or “little dog” sausage.
A popular street food, yet intrigued by many dog owners. Can dogs eat raw hot dogs? That’s the question we are about to answer.
This article will help and guide us on the nature of hot dogs — the benefits, hazards, and how it impacts your dog’s health.
Also, we prepared the best and safe practices on how to serve this food for feeding!
What are Raw Hot Dogs?
Hot dogs are finely processed meats that are usually made up of pork or beef. They can be in the form of sausages, frankfurters, and wieners.
These processed meats contain fillers like wheat flour to improve texture and taste, making it easier for consumers to chew on them while eating their favorite hot dog snack.
Initially, hot dogs were native to Germany and were a sausage made from pork or beef.
There are also vegetarian hot dogs available in the market today, but many still prefer to eat meat-based raw hotdogs because it is tastier than its counterpart.
Hot dogs are often produced by mixing all the ingredients and then stuffing them into a casing.
They are then boiled, baked, or fried to give it that distinctive flavor before being served on a bun with condiments like ketchup, mustard, and relish.
Food family of Raw Hot Dogs
Hot Dogs are a member of the food family of preserved or processed meats.
It is a type of food that has been through curing, smoking, and salting to extend its shelf life by killing bacteria responsible for spoiling raw meat.
In preserving hot dogs, it allows them to last longer without going bad so they can be stored in markets before being sold as ready-to-eat.
The curing process is an integral part of hot dogs because it gives them the distinct taste that consumers prefer over other types of meat.
It also makes the texture firm and chewy, which holds condiments like ketchup, mustard, or relish better than regular raw meats would do without any preservatives added to it.
Can dogs eat Raw Hot Dogs?
Dogs can eat raw hot dogs. Both can eat cooked and raw ones. Weighing which is more appropriate to feed your dog, it’s best to have the raw hot dogs cooked first.
Cooking the meat first before feeding it to your dog will kill all those bacteria. This method can secure your dog’s health by contaminating any diseases, and it’s suitable for dogs because it has the natural flavor of hot dogs.
Additionally, raw hot dogs can also be nutritious for dogs. It contains around 24 grams of protein per 100-gram serving, making it a healthier alternative than regular hot dog meats with natural fats and cholesterol content, added preservatives, salt, or sugar, leading to weight gain and other health problems.
However, raw hot dogs may not suit dogs because they can cause health issues like upset stomachs or diarrhea.
And also, raw hot dogs can carry salmonella or E. coli, which can be deadly for pets because they are not immune to bacteria like humans do.
Considering this food may cause potential hazards, we prepared the best ways to feed your dogs with raw hot dogs:
Best Ways to Feed your Dogs with Raw Hot Dogs
Cooked raw hot dogs first.
Before anything else, you have to cook the hot dogs first. This can be done by pan-frying, grilling, or boiling it before serving your dog.
While this is optional, you have to keep in mind that cooking raw meat reduces its chance of contamination by bacteria and parasites outside the food, which may cause severe infection for pets!
Raw Hot Dogs as a Treat
You can also feed your dog raw hot dogs as a treat, but it is best to limit the amount to prevent getting diarrhea and other health problems.
If ever this happens, stop giving your dog raw hot dogs immediately! Instead, you have to provide them with cooked ones from now on until their stomach has normalized again.
Additionally, do not forget to remove the casing before feeding it to your dog, as this can cause choking or intestinal blockage.
Raw Hot Dog as a Flavoring Agent for other Foods
Lastly, you may also choose to give raw hot dogs as a flavoring agent on some of their regular food. This is not only healthy but also safe!
But make sure that the amount is not too much and do not cook it. This can be mixed with their regular food or given as a treat by itself — remember to serve cooked hot dogs from now on!
Reasons Why Dogs Can Eat Raw Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are not made from dogs’ meat — and perhaps, this could lead me to the most reasonable evidence your dog can eat hot dogs.
But on a more serious note, raw hot dogs also contribute to developing your dog’s health. Here are some benefits to look forward to:
Source of Protein
Like any other protein source, hot dogs are also good for your dog’s health. It can help build their muscles because it contains around 24 grams of protein per 100-gram serving, making it a healthier alternative to regular hot dogs with their natural fats and cholesterol content.
Plus added preservatives, salt, or sugar, leading to weight gain and other health problems.
Delicious Treats for Dogs
Hot dogs can also be an excellent treat for your dog! It has the natural flavor of hot dogs that they would surely love to eat again and again.
This is because it’s healthy, filled with protein, which helps develop their muscles and bones and promotes a reasonable growth rate — all without needing to be cooked!
Good Flavoring Agent for other Foods
Lastly, you can also use hot dogs as a flavoring agent on some of their regular food. This is not only healthy but safe too because it contains the natural flavor of hot dogs, which will surely add up in your dog’s taste buds without adding preservatives or artificial flavors that may lead to other health problems.
Possible Concerns When Eating Raw Hot Dogs
Beware! Your dog may enjoy eating raw hot dogs. However, you have to consider probable consequences that your dog may suffer from.
So, below are the symptoms you have to watch out for:
Allergic Reaction to the Components
Since hot dogs are made up of different components that may have mixed reactions, they can trigger allergic reactions, primarily if your dog is not used to eating raw meat.
This will cause skin problems like rashes or itchiness, which requires immediate attention from a veterinarian.
The Casing
The casing can be another problem when feeding your dog with raw hot dogs. Casing pertains to the outside portion of the hot dog, which can be challenging to digest and may lead to choking or intestinal blockage.
This is why you must remove the casing before feeding your dogs raw hotdogs for their safety.
Diarrhea and Other Digestive Problems
Hot dogs also have a high percentage of water and fat, causing diarrhea or vomiting in your dog.
This is why it’s essential to monitor your dog if your dog is already used to eating raw hotdogs for you not to experience such problems when feeding them this kind of food.
Presence of Intestinal Parasites
Lastly, you have to be aware of intestinal parasites or bacteria that can cause food poisoning. This is where proper sterilization must be done before feeding your dogs with raw hotdogs — mainly if they are not used to eating this kind of meat.
Signs your dog is sick from eating Raw Hot Dogs
You might not know until you have checked your dog’s actual health status. If you spot your dog suffering from symptoms listed below, your dog could be experiencing sickness from eating raw hot dogs:
Depression
If your dog is experiencing depression, this may be caused by intestinal parasites or bacteria causing them sick.
This is why it’s essential to have their stool checked immediately to know if they are infected with any disease so that proper medication will be done directly.
Rashes and Itchiness on Skin Parts
Rashes are considered one of the most common symptoms when suffering from allergies caused by hot dogs.
If your dog is already used to eating raw food, this can indicate that they are not yet ready to eat this kind of meat because it may cause rashes or itchiness on their highly uncomfortable skin parts.
Excessive Vomiting and Diarrhea
Another sign that your dog is already experiencing sickness from eating raw hot dogs is excessive vomiting.
If you notice them throwing up more than usual, it can cause intestinal obstruction or choking because the casing was not adequately removed before feeding them this kind of meat.
You have to check their actual condition because this may also lead to dehydration.
Excessive Thirst and Fatigue
Lastly, another sign of your dog being sick from eating raw hot dogs is fatigue or excessive thirst.
If you notice them more tired than usual, even if they had a good sleep the night before but still feel dehydrated with increased thirst, then it’s time to visit your veterinarian to prevent further complications.
What to do if your dog is sick from eating Raw Hot Dogs?
Here are the things that you have to do when your dog is sick from eating raw hot dogs:
The first thing that you have to do is monitor their symptoms and health status. Then, professionals will determine what sickness they are currently experiencing with a proper diagnosis of blood, stool, or any other tests.
It’s essential to check their health status regularly for you to determine if they are already recovering or not so that proper medications will be given accordingly.
Then, avoid feeding your dog with raw hot dogs because this can cause them more sickness, especially when it poses several risks, which we have discussed above.
Lastly, you have to bring your dog to a veterinarian to give them proper diagnosis and treatment depending on their current health status.
It’s important because this will help you decide what kind of food they should be eating in terms of hot dogs.
Avoid similar foods from this family.
Raw meats
Likewise, raw meat can also pose the same threats as hot dogs regarding bacteria and parasites.
It’s best not to feed them with any kinds of meat but if you are planning on doing so, make sure they are appropriately cooked first before feeding your dog.
Raw bacon
Raw bacon, too, has the same risks when it comes to bacteria and parasites. That is why this has to be cooked properly before giving them a bite or two of raw bacon, so your dog does not get sick from eating natural hot dogs.
Raw sausage links/sausages
In addition, sausages can pose the same risk because they can still be filled with bacteria if they are not cooked properly.
So it’s best to avoid feeding your dog sausages as well unless you are sure that these are already fully cooked.
Raw chicken
Last but not least, raw chicken also has to be avoided for your dog not to get sick from eating hot dogs.
This is because even if you altogether remove all of its bones and skin, there are still some parts containing bacteria that may make them sick when consumed by your canine companion.
How to Make Raw Hot Dogs Safe To Eat
Prevention is better than cure. So, as early as now, you have to devote safe practices in feeding raw hot dogs to your dogs.
Thankfully, we prepared something more significant for you.
Here are ways in making raw hot dogs safe to eat for your dogs:
But, first, you have to learn the safe foods that can be given to your dog so you won’t have a hard time figuring out if they are okay with certain kinds of meat.
Second, it is also essential to know how these meats should be prepared and cooked before food.
This will prevent any possible bacterial contamination and parasites.
Third, make sure that the meat is cooked correctly before feeding them with it. This will minimize any possible bacterial contamination or parasite infestation if you plan to give raw meats as food for your dog.
Fourth, cleanliness is also essential when preparing their foods, especially if these are made from raw meats, which can cause bacterial contamination if not handled properly.
Fifth, do not prepare their food simultaneously as yours because this can cause cross-contamination, making raw hot dogs unsafe for consumption.
Last but not least, avoid giving them foods with high-fat content such as fried bacon and sausages since these are also very unhealthy for them.
Key Takeaways
To recap, you can feed your dogs with raw hot dogs. It also works with cooked ones.
In weighing which is more appropriate to feed, it’s best to have the raw hot dogs cooked first. Additionally, this food is a high source of protein, delicious treat and may spice up other meals you serve to your dogs.
However, you have to beware that you may suffer from probable consequences after eating raw hot dogs.
For instance, your components may contribute to your dog’s allergic reaction. In addition, the casing of the hot dog may cause choking or intestinal blockage, or diarrhea may occur due to a high percentage of water and fat.
Remember to bring your dog to your vet with symptoms like depression, rashes and itchiness, excessive thirst, and fatigue.
Otherwise, your dog may suffer from more extensive consequences.
Prevention is better than cure. For example, when feeding raw hot dogs, make sure that this food is cooked to avoid bacterial contamination and parasites.