Bacon grease is produced after cooking in the oven for a small duration. It becomes semi-solid at room temperature and is lower in saturated fat than processed fats within typical butter. Dogs love bacon, so they will probably enthusiastically lick up the grease. However, is bacon grease good for dogs? Definitely no. Bacon is too rich in fats and sodium to incorporate into the regular dog food diet safely.
The grease from bacon, though, is like that extra bit of candy or an energizer drink. If you are going for a hike and the dog needs more energy, a little bacon grease would give them that extra reserve. This would have to be countered by lots of water, though.
Why is Bacon Grease Dangerous?
Bacon grease is generally not healthy for humans, and dogs are more sensitive. It holds that bacon grease would do more harm than good as dog food.
Pancreas Inflammation
Bacon grease is very thick and hence strains the pancreas, which has the task of breaking down excess fat and starch. The trouble when your dog eats bacon grease is that it is hard to break down when ingested, making it difficult to remove that extra bit of bacon fat in the system.
Generally, the pancreas starts to fail and become inflamed, which will lead to discomfort. As the inflammation spreads to other body organs, the condition can become life-threatening. Need to keep an eye on your dog’s health? Get one of today’s best dog activity monitor.
Sodium Poisoning
Bacon is very salty as that adds to the flavor; however, dogs have a much lower sodium tolerance level than human beings. The high sodium content when dogs eat bacon grease would get to the bloodstream of a healthy pup and cause cells to shrink.
These cells shrink by trying to force the excess moisture out to rebalance the ratio of salt to water within the dog’s body. In turn, it causes dehydration, making the dog drink more water than usual. The excess water causes your dog to bloat, which could lead to vomiting. In severe cases, sodium can shrink brain cells and precipitate seizures [1].
Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Considering bacon grease becomes hard to deal with sludge that is hard to break down, you could only imagine what that does to the dog. Grease thickness is also coupled with the inability of the dog to effectively deal with the fatty human food, which would slow the digestion process and cause significant gastrointestinal discomfort. The slowing of the digestive process also makes the dogs uncomfortable and affects the surrounding organs.
Heart disease
Bacon grease has a lot of cholesterol that accumulates in the dog’s digestive system and contributes to heart-related issues. The cholesterol creates plaque within the bloodstream and arteries. In time, some blockages can cause heart attacks. Your dog’s heart will also not be able to get as much blood to the brain as recommended.
What to Look For If Your Dog Eats Too Much Bacon Grease?
Dogs can be quite sneaky and pull a plate off the table while you are not looking. You probably wouldn’t know the dog has eaten plates of bacon grease until it is too late. He may be happy and lick every last bit, but the repercussions would come up quickly. There are a few symptoms you can look out for afterward, though.
The first is constantly drinking for hours. That is because of the significant sodium levels in bacon grease. Your dog will also start to have diarrhea and vomit. Pacing, loss of appetite, and general lethargy are also signs after your dog has taken too much bacon. These are signs of either sodium overdose or fat content resulting in inflammation.
What to Do When Your Dog Takes Too Much Bacon Grease
It can be tempting to give the dog antacids such as Imodium or Pepto Bismol, especially when they have stomach problems. However, most vets would advise low doses of Pepcid AC or Zantac at half a 10 mg tab once every 12 hours. These medications are available over the counter and reduce stomach acid production. You may also want to stop feeding the dog for 8 to 12 hours since the stomach needs time to heal.
Dog owners should try keeping the dog indoors in a cool place for the time it is fasting. During that time, you can give the dog a small amount of water and then observe its condition to see if there is more vomiting. When the dog is feeling better, you can serve very small, balanced, bland meals. If your dog does not return to its normal self soon, the toxicity may be higher than anticipated, and you can visit the vet for further assistance.
FAQs
What happens if dogs eat bacon?
If your dogs eat bacon, that is not a big cause of alarm. Bacon has significant risks, though, such as high sodium content and cholesterol. These fatty foods lead to obesity and pancreatitis. In the short term, bacon grease may cause indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What should you do if your dog eats raw bacon?
It can only ingest raw bacon in small quantities. Though if it is a large amount, the dog will probably experience abdominal pain and stomach upsets.
