Simply speaking, hot dogs are not toxic to dogs. They don’t contain any poisonous ingredients that will cause severe issues for your canine, so there is no reason to call the vet if your dog eats one.
However, that doesn’t mean that they are a great option for your canine. Hot dogs do contain quite a few extra ingredients; they aren’t just meat. This extra salt and seasoning makes them a poor choice for dogs.
One hot dog likely isn’t going to do anything to your pooch. However, the high salt content can lead to issues overtime, especially if your dog is obese or has other underlying issues. Many hot dogs also contain sugars and other artificial sweeteners. Therefore, they are a poor choice as a treat.
Instead, it is much better to give your canine whole meat if you’re looking for a treat. The meat should be plain without any seasonings or salt, as these can be damaging to our furry friends. Of course, a dog’s main source of calories should be a commercial diet that meets AAFCO standards, which ensure your dog will get all the nutrients they need.
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Why Are Hot Dogs Bad for Dogs?
Hot dogs are generally considered quite bad for dogs, even if they aren’t blatantly toxic. A hot dog is not going to kill your dog. However, they do have some ingredients that can be harmful in the long-term, especially if your dog eats a lot of them.
Some of these ingredients include things like salt, MSG, sugars, and artificial sweeteners. All of these can have negative affects on our dogs. However, the high sodium level is easily the worst ingredient in the bunch.
The average dog only needs about 200 mg of sodium a day. This sodium helps the body move water around, so it is necessary for your dog’s health. However, the average hot dog contains over 500 mg of sodium – which is over double what your dog needs in a day. Remember, your dog will also be consuming sodium in their usual dog food, since it is a necessary nutrient.
By giving your dog a hot dog (or even half a hot dog), you’re easily pushing them over their sodium intake for the day. One day likely won’t hurt most dogs, though it can cause issues for some dogs with underlying conditions. However, overtime, this excessive sodium can cause many different issues.
In the short term, too much sodium can lead to dehydration. Your dog will need to drink more to balance out the electrolytes in the hot dog. Over a long period, too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure.
Furthermore, the roundness of hot dogs can pose a choking hazard, especially for canines that may try to swallow them whole. While dogs don’t choke very often, it is absolutely possible.
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Should I Call a Vet?
If your dog sneaks a hot dog, you probably don’t need to call your vet. One hot dog isn’t going to cause any long term affects. Therefore, you typically don’t have anything to worry about.
However, if your dog has any underlying illnesses, you may want to give your vet a call. Underlying illnesses can make dogs more sensitive to the high sodium content in hot dogs.
Eating a hot dog can cause stomach upset, as your dog’s digestive system isn’t used to the processed meat. For instance, your canine may get a stomachache, act a bit lethargic, or get diarrhea. However, all of this should pass rather quickly.
If your dog continues to have diarrhea or similar issues, call your vet. If these issues haven’t passed within 24 hours, there could be something more serious going on – and you don’t want your dog to become dehydrated.
Be sure to always provide your dog with extra water, as the increased sodium will make them thirsty. Dogs may also need to use the bathroom more for this reason.
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How Many Hot Dogs Can My Dog Eat?
Preferably, you should not provide your canine with any hot dogs. This processed meat is simply too high in sodium to be used as a treat – even very occasionally. Too much sodium can cause all sorts of different problems in dogs.
Of course, dogs with underlying problems are often affected more by high levels of sodium. However, even other dogs may become excessively thirsty and experience stomach upset.
Therefore, we recommend staying away from hot dogs altogether. Instead, feed your dog plain meat without any bones. When we say plain, we mean without any seasonings, including salt. Added salt in the levels most cook with is fine for humans – but not for our dogs.
Plus, there are many “normal” seasonings that are actually toxic to dogs. For instance, onions and garlic are both toxic to canines.
Of course, all meat should be cooked. Raw meat can carry bacteria like salmonella.
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Can Dogs Have All-Beef Hot Dogs?
Often, all-beef hot dogs are considered healthier and “more natural” than other hot dogs. However, that doesn’t mean that they are a good option for your canine. Usually, these hot dogs contain all the sodium and seasonings that other hot dogs contain, which can cause the exact same problems.
It isn’t the type of meat that is the problem for most dogs. Instead, it is all the added salt and seasonings that cause the issue. All-beef hot dogs contain all of these added ingredients, even if they are advertised as a healthier option.
Therefore, it is best to skip all hot dogs – even those that are marketed as being healthier.
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