Slim Jims are made of meat, so you might think they’re the perfect snack for your dog. However, it’s important to look at the additives in Slim Jims.
Slim Jims are not toxic to dogs, but they are high in salt and fat. Not only are they unhealthy, but they can cause illness like salt poisoning or pancreatitis, especially when eaten in large amounts.
In this article, we’ll talk about why dogs shouldn’t eat Slim Jims and what you can feed them instead.
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Is it Okay to Give my Dog Beef Jerky?
Slim Jims and other types of beef jerky aren’t healthy for dogs, and are best avoided. However, it likely won’t hurt your dog to eat a small piece as an occasional treat.
Beef Jerky is high in fat and salt, neither of which are good for dogs. In small amounts this is okay, but in large quantities these ingredients can make a dog very sick.
For instance, too much salt can cause salt poisoning, which in extreme cases causes dehydration and kidney damage. Excess salt is especially bad if your dog is already dehydrated or doesn’t have access to water to offset their salt intake.
Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis, a life-threatening, emergency condition in dogs with symptoms like heavy vomiting and diarrhea, loss of appetite, increased thirst, tiredness, and even shock and depression in extreme cases.
Lastly, Slim Jims contain seasonings that might upset your dog’s stomach. You might see symptoms like vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea. If these are extreme, you should see a veterinarian right away.
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What Happens if a Dog Eats a Slim Jim?
Often, nothing is going to happen to a dog who eats a Slim Jim. They aren’t healthy, but they also aren’t toxic.
However, there are risks to consider or watch for, especially if your dog gets into a large number of Slim Jims.
These include upset stomach, salt poisoning, and pancreatitis.
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Upset Stomach
With an upset stomach, you might see symptoms like vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. Your dog won’t usually need to see a vet and the symptoms won’t last long or become extreme. (If they do, your dog needs to see a vet right away as this may be an indication of something more serious.)
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is when the pancreas becomes inflamed. It might look similar to an upset stomach, but symptoms are more severe. They include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Intense abdominal pain
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Decreased appetite
- Increased thirst
- Downward dog or praying position (head down and hind end in the air)
- Shock
- Depression
Pancreatitis is a veterinary emergency in dogs. If your dog has pancreatitis and is left untreated, they can die.
Salt Poisoning
Lastly, a dog who eats a large number of Slim Jims–especially without drinking water–may be at risk for salt poisoning. Symptoms include:
- Excessive thirst or urination
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Lack of coordination
- Tremors or seizures
- Coma
- Dehydration
- Kidney damage
Contact your veterinarian right away if you notice symptoms of salt poisoning in your dog, as it can cause permanent organ damage or even death in extreme cases.
Your veterinarian can work to hydrate your dog and reduce the amount of damage done to their kidneys.
Can Dogs Eat Plain Beef?
Yes! Plain, cooked beef is much better for dogs than beef jerky sticks like Slim Jims. The best kind of beef to feed your dog is the kind with the lowest fat content you can find.
Keep in mind that even healthy treats should never exceed 10% of their diet, with that other 90% being a well-balanced dog food.
Substituting things like beef for dog food can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
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What Snacks are Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Now that you know Slim Jims aren’t healthy for dogs, you might be wondering about healthier alternatives.
The easiest is to cook your dog some unseasoned meat like low-fat beef, chicken, or turkey. Make sure not to use any added salt, butter, or oils.
Small pieces of this meat can be used as motivation during training, to top their kibble, or just as a healthy snack during the day.
Other healthy treats for dogs include:
- Blueberries
- Banana
- Pumpkin
- Cooked sweet potato
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Many other dog-safe fruits or veggies!
Of course, you can also bake homemade dog treats using healthy ingredients or buy treats made for dogs from the store.
While not all store bought treats are equal, you can check over the ingredients before purchasing them. I personally like buying treats with minimal ingredients, but I avoid anything that contains raw meat or bone because these can make your dog (and any humans in the household) sick.
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Up Next:
- Can Dogs Eat Corned Beef?
- Can Dogs Eat Bacon Safely? What Are the True Risks?
- Can Dogs Eat Steak? How Much is Safe?
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