Can dogs eat pork?

Updated 18/04/2024

Pork is a meat that seems to be simply everywhere - from salty slithers on morning pancakes to ham for your lunchtime baguette or even spiced pork chops over rice for dinner, it's certainly a versatile meat that's popular in the human world. And when cooking it, we wouldn't be surprised to hear that your furry friend likes to get involved - begging for a salty, fatty morsel (or three). But can dogs eat pork, or is it far too unhealthy for their lean meat-loving bellies? Well yes and no, if it's a lean cut of pork that's prepared without any seasonings or additional fat, then yes, dogs can eat pork. But, if it's either smothered in flavorings, smoked or it's a particularly fatty cut, then it shouldn't really be going anywhere near your furry friend. For more details on the safest ways to treat your pooch to a piece of pork every now and then, plus some of the potential health benefits of the meat for dogs, take a look below. 

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Is pork poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs eat pork without pet parents having to worry about any potential toxicity, or can pork sometimes be poisonous to dogs? Well as long as the pork you're serving up to your pup is within the use-by date and is thoroughly cooked all the way through, then any bacteria within the meat will be killed off. If however, the meat isn't properly cooked, your pup could get seriously ill. Take a look below for more on why raw (and of course, undercooked) pork is bad news for both dogs and their humans.

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Is pork good for dogs?

So can dogs eat pork and benefit from the meat's nutritional value, or is pork bad for dogs and should only be served in the form of a very occasional morsel? Well firstly, anything known to be bad for dogs should never be served up, occasional treat or not. Secondly, pork does offer a few health benefits for dogs (for example it's high in protein, but more on the micro and macronutrient make up of the meat below), but there's more to avoid when it comes to feeding dogs pork than not. Why? Well many cuts of pork are seriously fatty, which is bad news for any dog, especially those prone to health issues like pancreatitis. Along with its high fat content, pork is often prepared with a lot of salt, especially when creating products like bacon and ham (which are bad news for dogs). So, if you want your pooch to try the meat and benefit from its nutrient make up, opt for a lean morsel every now and then that's been cooked without any additional fat, flavorings or seasonings.      

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Health benefits of eating pork for dogs

So, while your pup should definitely be getting the bulk of their nutrition from a dog food that's nutritionally balanced and suitable for their age, breed, and any health issues they've got, it's useful to know the nutritional value of the tableside titbits you're feeding them as a treat (granted they're safe for dogs, naturally). So below, find a list of the nutrients in pork that your pup should be getting from their diet, but could benefit from if you treat them to an occasional piece of pork.

• Protein - pork is packed with the stuff.
• Iron.
• Zinc.
• Selenium.
• Magnesium.
• Phosphorus.
• Vitamin B complex.

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Feeding your dog pork

As we've mentioned, pork should be shared cautiously with your pup due to its sometimes high fat and salt content. There are also a range of products made from pork that should be avoided altogether - for a rule of thumb, only feed your dog pork if it hasn't been heavily processed, nor got any added salt, flavorings or seasonings. For more on how to safely feed your dog pork and which forms of the meat to avoid, take a look below.

Preparing pork for dogs 

If you'd like to treat your pup to a little pork meat, make sure you opt for a lean cut (or simply remove any fat), and make sure it's not cured or pre-coated with any seasonings or flavorings. Then, cook the meat completely plain and all the way through, and serve a small portion once it's completely cooled down. Just remember that this should strictly be a rare treat for your pup, and shouldn't be making up a chunk of their regular diet.

Can dogs eat bacon?

And can dogs have pork in the form of bacon? It's a hard no on this one - bacon is basically the definition of what dogs shouldn't be eating. It's high in fat, salt, is heavily processed and is often cured.  

Can dogs eat pork chops?

Pork chops are perfectly safe for dogs if cooked plain and thoroughly, with any fat and the bone removed. Pieces of meat from the pork chop should of course only be fed as an occasional treat.  

Can dogs have a pork chop bone?

While bones might get your pup salivating, they're bad news for dogs as they can splinter or cause blockages, seriously damaging their digestive tract. Plus, raw bones may be covered in bacteria, including Salmonella, that can make dogs seriously ill.

Can dogs eat pork bones cooked?

Cooked bones are even worse than raw for dogs as they're more brittle and are therefore much more likely to splinter and injure your dog's mouth or puncture their gastrointestinal tract. 

Can dogs eat ground pork?

A small morsel of cooked and unseasoned ground pork won't do your pup any harm, but it shouldn't be offered regularly or be part of their daily meal. 

Can dogs eat raw pork?

Definitely not - raw pork can contain a range of bacteria and parasites, including trichinella, which can lead to a range of nasty symptoms, including those below.

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Stiffness

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Meet our veterinary expert, Hannah

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Hannah Godfrey BVetMed MRCV.

Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and worked in mixed practice for a few years before focusing on small animal work. Clinically, she worked in a busy, multi-center hospital practice until 2018, where she underwent training in advanced canine and feline dentistry and began working towards a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. She then moved to a local independent practice to care for the pets nearby, allowing more time to focus on other career avenues, which include writing for a diverse range of pet websites, vet practices, drug companies, journals, and veterinary educators.

Other pork products

And can dogs eat cooked pork in the dishes you and your family love, like pork casserole or schnitzel? Well sadly it's a no on this one - the meals on the menu for you and your family are likely to be cooked in fat or oil and contain a range of ingredients that could irritate your dog's stomach or even be toxic to them, including garlic, onions, and seasonings.

Other foods that are safe for dogs

Now that you're all-clued up with the answers to the question - can dogs eat pork, you might be wondering - what 'human' foods can dogs eat? Take a look below to get started.

• Cantaloupe
• Mango
• Watermelon