Some of the most popular canned meats are potted meats because they last longer, cost less, and are easy to find. Additionally, potted meat has a creamy, palatable texture. But can dogs eat potted meat?
Dogs shouldn’t consume potted meat. Although certain recipes for potted meat are healthier than others, it is generally accepted that dogs should not consume potted meat. Potted meat contains excessive amounts of salt, sugar, and fat. Additionally, some variations include spices and possibly harmful chemicals.
We’ll cover more about dogs and potted meat below. After defining potted meat, we’ll list all of its components, including possible risks to dogs. Finally, we’ll discuss what to do in an accident.
Before you read a more in-depth answer to this question, “Can Dogs Eat Potted Meat,” check out: Can Dogs Eat Canned Chicken? (2023) and Can Dogs Eat Chicken Nuggets? (2023).
What Is Potted Meat?
“Potted meat” is a type of canned food made with preserved meat and a variety of herbs and spices. After the meats are cooked, they are chopped, minced, or blended.
Different potted meat recipes call for various cuts of meat, including organ meats as well as pork, beef, chicken, and duck. To prepare potted meat, producers add harmful levels of salt, fat, and chemical preservatives.
Can Dogs Eat Potted Meat?
The only good things about potted meat, which can be eaten by both dogs and people, are that it is cheap, easy to get, and usually tastes good. Still, the answer to the question of whether potted meat is healthy for dogs is a clear “no.”
Potted meat is like an empty calorie because it doesn’t have any special nutrients and doesn’t help your health in any way.
The sole reason to give dogs potted meat is to use it as a pill pocket since dogs consider the flavor appealing. For instance, a teaspoon of potted meat can be used to conceal a pill or tablet. Everyone who has a dog knows how hard it can be to administer medicine. The pungent aroma of potted meat will mask the medication.
The sort of potted meat you purchase must be low-sodium, devoid of artificial additives, and without additional seasonings if you plan to use it as a pill pocket. Additionally, we advise choosing a leaner meat alternative, such as chicken or turkey, instead of pig and beef.
What Makes Potted Meat Unsuitable for Dogs?
Potted meat is off-limits to dogs due to some of the components and the production technique — specifically, preservation and canning. Let’s go over the problematic elements and their effects to make it clear to you why potted meat is dangerous for dogs to eat.
Digestive Problems
Potted meat is not a healthy choice for dogs because it is not included in the dog food pyramid. Dogs are carnivores, true, but it’s also correct that they like their meat to be either raw or barely cooked. Just like any other processed human food, potted meat could upset a dog’s sensitive stomach.
Excessive Salt
The salt content in potted meat is high. Small quantities of salt are necessary for canine bodily functions. Nevertheless, salt can be dangerous in large doses.
When a dog eats too much salt, it can become dehydrated (especially if its kidneys don’t work well) or, in the worst case, it can get salt poisoning, which is a serious emergency that could put the dog’s life at risk.
High in Sugar
Don’t be deceived by the food’s saltiness. Potted meat also has added sugars. Dogs don’t require sugar to survive. Some highly energetic dogs may benefit from a quick energy boost from sugar.
Nevertheless, sugar is typically seen as dangerous and can result in both acute problems (such as restlessness, irritation, moodiness, and anxiety) and long-term effects (like tooth decay, weight gain, obesity, and diabetes).
An Abundance of Fat
Aside from the basic meat fat, recipes for potted meat also call for additional fats and oils. Overall, the total fat level is far greater than what dogs require or can metabolize.
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which is life-threatening if ignored, can be brought on by eating excessive amounts of fat. Fat overconsumption over a certain period causes weight gain, obesity, and related problems.
Allergies to Meat
Although it may seem strange, dogs frequently have allergies to meat. In general, all foods can make dogs allergic, but chicken and beef seem to be among the most frequent offenders. The problem with canned meat is that most companies don’t say what kind of meat is in the product.
Instead, most manufacturers say “meat product” or “organ meat.” Hence, it is easy to find potted meat that may cause your dog to experience an allergic response.
Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings
The potted meat is flavored with a range of spices, flavors, and fragrant herbs. Some of them are okay for dogs, but the majority are problematic. For instance, black pepper, one of the most common spices, may wreak havoc on the dog’s stomach and potentially result in bleeding ulcers.
All spices have the potential to erode the lining of the digestive system, causing ulcerations and perforations that can be fatal.
Garlic and Onions
Garlic and onions are frequently used as flavorings in potted meat dishes. All members of the Allium family — notably garlic, onion, leek, and chives — are harmful to dogs across all varieties (in this case, the powder form added to potted meat).
Chemical components in garlic and onions harm red blood cells. The dog is in danger of developing anemia because the compromised cells are taken out of circulation. Garlic and onion poisoning are considered medical emergencies.
Synthetic Additives
All canned goods, including those with coloring, emulsifiers, flavors, and preservatives, include artificial ingredients. The longer a dog eats food with artificial ingredients, the more likely it is to get cancer. The same holds true for people because chemicals are known to cause cancer.
How Does Potted Meat Affect a Dog?
The effects of eating potted meat on dogs vary depending on the ingredients, how much is ingested, the dog’s size, and general health.
No immediate side effects, or perhaps minor abdominal discomfort, are the best-case scenarios. Worst case, pancreatitis, a serious digestive disturbance, or even the ingestion of garlic or onions will require a vet trip.
In any case, it is essential to contact the veterinarian or go to the clinic if the dog ate a large amount of potted meat. Being a pet parent, you should always stick to precautions.
What Should I Feed My Dog Instead?
Even though potted meat is unsafe for dogs, that doesn’t mean you can’t spoil your dog with something that tastes similar but is far better for them. Specifically, you can try homemade potted meat that is suitable for dogs.
Purchase premium chicken, ideally organic, then boil it to create this treat plain and free from oil and spices. The meat should be processed into a paste once it has been boiled. You may use chicken broth to thicken it and increase the flavor.
Allow the meal to cool before giving it to your dog. The chicken and broth combination can be offered on its own, as a topping for the dog’s usual kibble, or combined with other foods — such as rice, carrots, and broccoli — to provide a wholesome meal.
Can Dogs Eat Potted Meat Made from Plants?
Dogs should not consume plant-based meat, to put it simply. Versions other than meat are not harmful to dogs, but they also do not benefit them. Because they are carnivores, dogs require meals high in protein to survive, grow, and develop.
Although raising dogs on a plant-based or vegan diet is doable, such foods would need substantial vitamin, mineral, fatty acid, and amino acid supplements. Additionally, there is still a problem with plant-based meats. Store-bought varieties include a lot of spices and preservatives, which might be toxic to dogs.
In conclusion, choosing plant-based meat for dogs is not the best option. The occasional bite-sized treat is not dangerous, but anything other than that is strongly discouraged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Potted meat often comes from a variety of lesser beef and chicken including organs, feet, and other cuts you won’t typically find standalone at the store.
Products like Beyond Meat are not ideal for dogs given the high sodium and fat content.
Potted meat and pate are similar in that they are both paste-like meat. Pate can come from chicken, beef, or fish, for instance.
Conclusion for “Can Dogs Eat Potted Meat”
In the end, we strongly discourage potted meat for dogs. Potted meat frequently contains nutrition levels that are excessively high and may contain substances that might be poisonous or even hazardous to dogs.
Because of this, it is recommended to keep potted meat out of your dog’s diet. In the event of unintentional consumption, you should contact your veterinarian right away for further advice.
The good news is that there are healthier alternatives. You may safely give your dog a range of meats and animal products that are good for him. You won’t need to be concerned about any hazards or side effects because they will improve his general health.
If you find this guide, “Can Dogs Eat Potted Meat,” helpful, check out:
- Is Meat Tenderizer Bad For Dogs? (2023)
- Can Dogs Eat Bratwurst? (2023)
- How to Prepare Ground Beef for Dogs? (Fresh or Frozen) (2023)
Learn more by watching “10 Foods You Should NEVER Feed Your Dog!” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
Why Trust We Love Doodles?
At We Love Doodles, we’re a team of writers, veterinarians, and puppy trainers that love dogs. Our team of qualified experts researches and provides reliable information on a wide range of dog topics. Our reviews are based on customer feedback, hands-on testing, and in-depth analysis. We are fully transparent and honest to our community of dog owners and future owners.