Can Dogs Eat Spam? Everything You Need to Know

No, dogs cannot eat spam. Dogs need a diet rich in protein and moderate in fat. Spam includes a lot of meat which is an excellent source of protein. Hence, you will mistake feeding spam to dogs. But spam contains ingredients other than meat that are highly harmful to your dog.

What Is Spam?

Spam is a processed food item. It  combines ground pork, ham, salt, sugar, potato starch, and spices. Owing to its low cost, soldiers of World War II consumed spam.Introduced by Hormel in 1937 and after its use during World War II, spam gained popularity worldwide. By 2003, Spam was sold in 41 countries on six continents and trademarked in over 100 countries.

Is Spam Safe for dogs?

No, Spam is not safe for dogs as it can lead to health issues. This is because it contains excessive sodium, fat, sugar, nitrates and preservatives, starch, and additional flavors.

Why Is Spam Bad for dogs?

Below are the reasons why spam is harmful and poisonous for your dog:

Excessive Sodium Content–  Spam has a lot of sodium.  It is a vital nutrient that your dog needs to consume to remain healthy. But it will also lead to dehydration of your dog and can even lead to sodium poisoning. The following are the symptoms of Salt/Sodium Poisoning:

• Coma
• Convulsions
• Extreme thirst and urination
• Confusion
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Fever
• Seizures
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Increased heart rate
• Weakness
• Vomiting

Excessive Fat: Dogs need to consume fat, but massive amounts of fat in the diet can result in health issues for your dog. As a result of excessive fat, your dog will experience weight gain, eventually leading to obesity. Moreover, it will also cause significant health problems as high-fat diets have been known to cause pancreatitis in dogs. Spam causes the pancreas to swell, and the digestive enzymes destroy the pancreatic tissue. This results in pancreatic damage or blockage. The following are symptoms of Pancreatitis:

• Dehydration 
• Fever 
• Diarrhea 
• Loss of Appetite 
• Hunched Back 
• Lethargy 
• Repeated Vomiting 

Excessive Nitrates and Preservatives: Dogs should seldom be given foods that contain nitrates and preservatives. A diet containing too many nitrates and preservatives can damage your dog’s digestive system. The consequences of excessive nitrate and preservative intake are:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weak immune system
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Gastro intestinal infection
• Stomach pain

Added Flavors: Today, there are a lot of flavors to choose from when it comes to spam meat. Flavors are chemicals, and some of these flavors contain ingredients that are toxic for dogs. The consequences of consuming added flavors are:

• Damages RBC
• Loss of appetite
• Tremors
• Muscle contraction
• Inflammation
• Obesity
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Excessive urine
• DehydrationAnemic

Excessive Sugar: Spam also contains a lot of sugar which can cause spikes in blood sugar levels and excessive weight gain. The consequences of excessive sugar intake are:

• Weight
• Diabetes
• Gain
• Obesity
• Dehydration
• Heart disease
• Stomach upset
• Hyperactivity

Excessive Starch: Spam also has potato starch which is another source of empty calories that can cause harm to your dog. The consequences of consuming starch are:

• Weight gain
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Lethargy
• Intolerance to exercise

How Much Spam to Feed Your Dog?

As already said, spam is poisonous for dogs. Hence, it would be best if you prevent your dog from consuming spam. Eating spam leads to various deadly health issues. 

What If My Dog Ate Spam?

If your dog accidentally consumed spam, wait for 8 hours for the symptoms to show. The common symptoms which your dog will indicate are:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Lethargy
• Hyperactivity
• Nausea

Take your dog to the veterinarian to rule out the condition. Your veterinarian will prescribe a bland diet for a few days, which you should follow accordingly. 

Alternatives to Spam

It is best to choose better and safer alternatives for your dog. The right food will keep your dog healthy and happy. The better options for your dog are:Plain meatCooked fish Beef jerky without seasoning

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, spam of any sort- be it cooked, uncooked, lite, or turkey, should not be given to your dog at any cost, as it will cause a dent in your dog’s health. It can even cause significant issues like salt poisoning and pancreatitis. Instead, feed them the alternatives mentioned above.