Can Dogs Eat Bologna?

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If you are considering feeding your dog any type of human food for either a meal or an occasional snack, it is essential to know whether or not it’s okay for dogs to eat it. So can dogs eat bologna?

To learn more about why your dog should not regularly eat bologna, what’s in bologna, and some of the adverse side effects experienced by dogs that eat bologna regularly, continue reading below. 

All About Bologna

Named after Italy’s Bologna city, bologna is a variety of meat sometimes referred to as bologna sausage or even mortadella. A mix of meat types, peppercorns, and nuts, this meat became infamous in the United States during the 1950s. It became easily manufactured, packaged, and distributed to buyers at low prices during industrial and technological booms.

What is Bologna Made Of?

While bologna is considered a delicious food by many people and animals alike, it is a very highly processed meat substance that is composedcomprised of salts, fats, and additives. If a human or a dog eats bologna regularly, it can aid in the build-up of intestinal plaque and a rise in blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Additional ingredients in bologna include the following:

• Pork, beef, or chick manufacturing scraps and leftovers
• Saturated fats
• High nitrate levels
• High calories
• Corn syrup
• Occasional pistachios
• Some protein
• Cane sugar

Depending on the brand, some bologna contains very little meat at all and also includes natural flavors, wheat products, or soy in its ingredient list.

Bologna and Your Dog’s Digestive System

Dogs are of the canis genus and from the C. familiaris species. Considered high-hierarchy apex predators, the digestive system of dogs isare made especially to both burn and intake a lot of calories. This keeps the dog’s body running properly without exhausting their energetic reserves, therefore allowing them to play, run, and hunt. 

Your dog’s digestive system is made up of four crucial main elements. These elements include the mouth and esophagus tract, the stomach, your log’s small and large intestines, and your dog’s colon, which is used for expelling unneeded and undigested foods.

Since your dog’s body utilizes its stomach as more of a fuel tank for conserving than other types of animals, it is essential to feed your dog healthy foods that will keep energizing them until their next mealtime. They should be fed food high in protein and low in processed and man-made ingredients. 

A dog that eats organic, raw, and healthy foods is less likely to become obese due to the way its digestive system metabolizes food. If a dog eats processed and unhealthy foods, it will feel hungrier and eat more often, resulting in health deterioration.

As a general rule of thumb, Bologna and dogs don’t mix. If your hope is to keep your dog both happy and healthy for as long as possible, you should opt for a healthy diet that does not include any food meant for humans. 

Some Benefits of Eating Bologna

If, for some reason, you must feed your dog bologna as an occasional treat, rest easy knowing that there are actually a few benefits behind the lunchmeat. These include:

• Bologna contains some protein
• Bologna contains salt that can sometimes ease headaches
• Some bologna contains soy, which adds to the protein amount
• Some bologna has been fortified with some vitamins and minerals
• Some varieties of bologna are considered a low carb food
• Bologna can act as an excellent training or behavior incentive on special occasions or outings

Why Your Dog Should Generally Avoid Bologna

Even though bologna is not a food that should be fed to your dog regularly, it is okay to offer them a little piece of bologna very occasionally for an extra special treat.

Eating processed foods, including bologna, has been considered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to decline the health of both humans and animals over time. Adverse side effects of overeating processed food can involve but are not limited to:

• High blood pressure due to cholesterol
• Intestine and artery blockages
• Kidney stones
• Urinary tract and kidney infections due to high sodium intake
• Diabetes
• Obesity and joint problems resulting from increased weight
• Heart disease
• Stomach and bowel cancer
• Slightly higher chance of cancer
• Risk of hypertension
• Skin rash
• Indigestion
• Heartburn and chronic acid reflux
• Diarrhea

There may be a link to chronic illnesses like COPD. Since their fat content is so high, it is not a good idea for your dog to eat bologna in place of a typical meal. To avoid all of these unfortunate possible side effects of poor eating habits, consider feeding your dog a healthy and well-rounded meal explicitly designed for them.

What Your Dog Should Eat Instead of Bologna

Your dog should eat high protein unprocessed foods for each meal. While some people believe that they should only feed their dog store-bought kibble, it is okay to create variety by feeding them organic grass-fed no-hormone meat, vegetables like broccoli, eggs, and even brown rice. Since many dogs will eat almost anything, it is essential to be picky about what you offer them regularly. 

Some dogs even have a sweet tooth and will happily gobble down fruits in vegetables high in vitamins and antioxidants. However, dogs should never inject cane sugar or chocolate of any kind, as these foods are poisonous to them and can result in death. If your dog has ingested chocolate, contact an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.

In Summary – Can Dogs Eat Bologna?

Feeding your dog slices of bologna instead of a meal can lead to significant health and digestive problems – but it is okay to give your dog a tiny piece of bologna every so often. 

Since bologna is not technically considered poisonous to dogs, you can occasionally tempt your furry best friend with a treat of bologna piece, knowing that you won’t need to rush him to the vet directly after.

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