Can dogs eat pepperoni?

Updated 25/04/2024

Pepperoni: it's got to be one of the most (if not the most) iconic pizza toppings of all time, not to mention its popularity on cheese boards and in pasta bakes. And with its salty yet slightly spicy aroma and fatty glaze, we doubt your furry friend would say no to a slice (or twenty), but can dogs eat pepperoni? Or is it a full-proof snack for dogs like many other foods we humans indulge in? Unfortunately for your meat-mad fluffy pal, pepperoni isn't safe for dogs - it's seriously high in fat, salt and seasonings that are bad news for our canine companions. For more on that, take a look below as we clear up questions from pet parents on the topic.

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Is pepperoni poisonous to dogs?

Can dogs eat pepperoni of any kind? Or is all pepperoni bad news for dogs, or worse - toxic to our canine companions? Well unfortunately for your pup, pepperoni is often poisonous to dogs. The ingredients that make up its signature flavors often include chili, garlic, onion, and of course, a heap of salt. Chili contains a molecule called capsaicin which is toxic to dogs, causing nasty symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Alliums like garlic and onion and garlic contain compounds N-propyl disulfides and thiosulfate which are seriously bad news for our canine companions. If ingested, they damage and destroy red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen around the body.

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Why is pepperoni bad for dogs?

So, now we've cleared up the question - can dogs eat pepperoni - let's explore why it's so bad for our furry friends a little further. Along with its array of ingredients toxic to dogs, pepperoni is also incredibly high in salt. And while dogs need salt in their diet, they'll be getting enough from the dog food you usually feed them. Too much salt and they could experience salt poisoning, otherwise known as salt toxicosis, and we'll explore its array of nasty symptoms a little later. Another of the more obvious reasons why pepperoni is so bad for canine health is the fat content - consuming too much fat can lead to obesity, and in the short term, pancreatitis. This is the inflammation of the pancreas that's caused by consuming too much fat and is a very painful condition for a dog to suffer from.

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What to do if your dog eats pepperoni

If you’ve come across your dog eating pizza with pepperoni on top or your furry pal having somehow punctured your deli meats pack and you think they’ve eaten pepperoni, we suggest you contact your vet for advice. Leaving ingestion of such a product untreated could lead to health issues in your pup, so the sooner they’re treated by a professional, the better.

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Symptoms of salt toxicosis in dogs

As we've mentioned, pepperoni is seriously high in salt, something that your pooch should only be consuming in small amounts. If you're concerned your pup might have salt toxicosis due to eating large amounts of salt, or salty food, contact your vet immediately. Otherwise, find the symptoms of salt toxicosis in dogs below to get clued-up on what to look out for.

• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Lethargy.
• Reduced appetite.
• Lack of coordination.
• Tremors.
• Excessive thirst and/or urination.

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Other meat products

So now we've settled your query - can dogs have pepperoni - you might be curious to know whether other meat products you enjoy are safer for your furry friend. Unlike pepperoni, many meats including chicken and beef are perfectly safe for dogs, so long as they're not processed or cooked with any additional aromatics, seasonings or fats. Our advice? Simply take each product you're thinking about sharing with your pup on a case-by-case basis, checking it's safe for canine consumption.

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

Other foods that are not safe for dogs

So, pepperoni and dogs are frankly a match made in pup hell - that's sure enough. But what about the other foods dogs can't eat? Take a look below to get started.

• Ham
• Marshmallows
• Pomegranate