Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni? Here’s Why It’s Not A Good Idea

Quick Summary

• Dogs won’t benefit from eating pepperoni. In fact, with its high sodium content, it can even hurt your dog and cause salt poisoning and gastroentiritis. The symptoms to watch out for include vomiting and diarrhea.
• Pepperoni is a highly processed meat with a lot of unhealthy components such as fat, sodium, and seasonings that are harmful to dogs such as paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and mustard seeds.
• It is better to feed dogs fresh and unflavored meat options like chicken, fish, and beef.

No, I do not advise you to feed your dog pepperoni. Although it has some nutrients in it and a tiny pepperoni slice probably won’t hurt your dog, the risks far outweigh these. Pepperoni simply has too much sodium and fat that can cause not just an upset stomach but a variety of health complications in dogs.

My dogs always use their puppy eyes to try to have a bit of what I am eating—it’s normal. Some of you may be tempted to share your meal, even when it’s pizza. Don’t be fooled, though; the pepperoni in pizza may be meat, but it has a lot of additives. Pepperoni is processed and cured meat that entails beef and pork with chili pepper seasoning and paprika.

Off the bat, that does not seem bad for dogs as the bulk of their diet does entail meat but not all meat is optimal for your furry friend. That especially goes for those which are highly processed. Pepperoni falls into that category as it has high-fat content and significant sodium levels, which are not good for your dog. Read my guide below to know more about what eating pepperoni does to your dog.

Is Feeding Your Dog Pepperoni Okay?

If your dog eats pepperoni slices, it will not kill them but eating large quantities will make them feel a bit sick. Too much pepperoni is therefore bad, and if you have the habit of having your dogs eat pepperoni slices every day, I advise you to check for symptoms like increased thirst, urination, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

How Pepperoni Makes Your Dog Sick

Aside from the high-fat content, pepperoni is one of those spicy foods, so it should not be frequently served as it has adverse effects on the dog’s digestive system. It is especially not good for younger dogs’ system—so remember to only feed the best dog food for puppies.

Pepperoni comes with several ingredients added during its processing to add to the flavor apart from paprika. There is black pepper, garlic powder, and mustard seeds which are not advisable for dogs. The ideal diet for your dog rather is something that does not have a lot of seasoning, and pepperoni does not necessarily fit that mold.

Similarly, the fat content in pepperoni is likely to result in weight gains. Pepperoni slices have 0.9 grams for dogs, which is a lot for your pet and can jeopardize your dog’s health.

If they consume more fat than is needed, it is likely to get obese or develop diabetes, hypertension, or heart-related issues. Basically, too much fat will significantly lessen the lifespan of your pet due to the health complications that come with it. Pepperoni, therefore, is not a good idea if you want to help your obese dog get in shape.

Smaller dogs are also susceptible to weight gain because of pepperoni compared to larger ones. It is because the bigger breeds have a higher tolerance provided they get a lot of exercise after eating.

The other thing to consider is the sodium levels entailed. Turkey pepperoni, for example, is known for having too much salt, and that means increased blood pressure [1]. By regularly feeding your dog turkey pepperoni, you may be predisposing it to heart problems which lessen its lifespan.

Is There Any Nutritional Benefit to Giving Your Dog Pepperoni?

Despite the discouragement, pepperoni still has a few nutrients, as with most dog food. For one, calcium is present. It may be a small amount, but calcium is good for bone development and density. The fact pepperoni is meat means it is a protein that helps with hair growth, tendon, cartilage, and muscle development.

Pepperoni also has trace amounts of vitamin B-12 and magnesium, which are significant for a healthy nervous system and the formation of blood cells. Vitamin C, B-6, and D are also present, but in trace amounts, so they are not necessarily worth the trouble brought by the negative elements.

Alternatives You Can Give in Place of Pepperoni

By now, the question, can dogs eat pepperoni should be answered. There are a few tasty and high-value alternatives to consider, such as chicken, fish, and other dehydrated meat. It is a bit counterintuitive for people living on farms to give their dogs chicken, considering they might start to look at your poultry differently.

Chicken, though, is easy to find and affordable. Dogs also love the meat, but it would be advisable if it was prepared without too much oil.

In fact, you can serve it raw if they are used to unprepared meat. If chicken is not practical, you could try liver; it is quite tasty, and these treats can go a long way towards helping you further train the dog.

Fish is another alternative that dogs appreciate, particularly when cooked. The great thing is it is naturally flavorful, and you do not have to add any spices for the dog to find it delicious. It also has several benefits, including much higher levels of vitamins and nutrients than pepperoni.

FAQs

Can dogs eat pepperoni jerky?

You can serve pepperoni jerky to your dog but very sparingly. That means one slice every two or three months. It would be advisable not to include any garlic or onion in the pepperoni jerky as these tend to be toxic.

Can dogs eat pepperoni and salami?

Both pepperoni and salami are processed meat types with high levels of salt and sodium as well as fat so they aren’t advisable for a dog’s diet.

Can dogs eat pepperoni sticks?

Pepperoni sticks are not a good idea for canines to eat at once. If they eat the entire stick, too much fat and sodium are already too much. They should only eat a small piece of the stick, and the frequency between the treats should be months at a time.

Can I give my dog peperami?

It is not advisable to give your dog peperami due to the pork content, which is not good for pets. Even when cooked, it has a lot of fat which is not healthy.

Can dogs eat pepperoni pizza and become sick?

Pepperoni has an unhealthy level of sodium and fat, which are not safe for dogs in the long run. If your dog frequently eats pepperoni, it will result in salt poisoning, kidney damage, and even pancreatitis.