The short answer is no, dogs can’t eat pastrami. Although delicious for humans, pastrami is not safe for dogs. An accidental nibble shouldn’t cause too much harm, but pastrami is high in fat and salt is reason enough to keep it out of your dog’s diet. Pastrami is also usually made with garlic, which can be harmful to your dog. This is not a sandwich meat you should share.
If your dog accidentally eats a lot of pastrami, you should call your veterinarian for advice. Here’s what you need to know about pastrami and dogs.
Why is pastrami bad for dogs?
Pastrami is high in fat and high in sodium. Additionally, garlic is usually used when making pastrami, and garlic can also be very harmful to your dog’s health. The use of garlic in pastrami means that it’s just not a suitable food to feed to your dog.
Dogs who eat high-fat diets risk becoming overweight. In turn, canine obesity can lead to numerous health issues and complications. Eating too many fatty foods can also expose a dog to the risk of developing pancreatitis.
The high sodium content of pastrami is also potentially very harmful to dogs. Along with increasing the chance of suffering from high blood pressure and heart disease, dogs who consume too much sodium put themselves at risk of salt poisoning.
What should I do if my dog eats pastrami?
You don’t necessarily need to panic if you notice that your dog has stolen a small piece of pastrami. Just keep watch and make sure they don’t show any of the symptoms of salt poisoning, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and drinking a lot more water than usual.
If you notice any of those symptoms or suspect that your dog has managed to consume a larger amount of pastrami, give your vet a call. They will be able to ask questions about your dog’s behavior and medical history and advise if you need to seek further care.
