They are meaty and tasty.
They make us look forward to breakfast.
But can Frenchies eat sausage?
Is this delicacy safe for French Bulldogs? Continue reading for answers and much more.
Can Frenchies Eat Sausage?
Whether Frenchies can eat sausage or not depends mainly on the preparation method. Typical sausages are fatty and salty and, therefore, unsafe for dogs. Plain, unseasoned sausage is, however, safe for Frenchies in moderation.
About Sausage
Sausage is made with ground beef blended with oil, salt, other flavors, preservatives, and occasionally fillers, including breadcrumbs or grains. Some sausage combinations are offered in bulk, while others are pushed into casings to produce links. They can be fresh, which requires cooking, completely cooked, smoked, dried, or cured before consumption.
Health Benefits of Sausage for Frenchies
The following are the health benefits of plain sausage for Frenchies:
Protein
A high-quality sausage is rich in protein and amino acids, providing energy while keeping your Frenchie’s muscles strong and healthy.
Vitamins
Sausage has vitamins B12 and D for strong bones, healthy muscles, and improved immunity.
Omega fatty acids
Consuming well-prepared sausages ensures your dog gets omega fatty acids, which lower the chances of inflammation and skin problems.
Better digestion
Sausage has a high-fat content, which lubricates your Frenchie’s intestines and thus ensures a smooth flow of food. This reduces the risk of digestive problems, including constipation.
Health Risks of Feeding Your Dog Sausages
Most sausages are not safe for Frenchies. Below are the risks of feeding your dog sausages:
High-fat content
Sausages are loaded with fat. A fatty meal is a recipe for obesity and other chronic health issues, including pancreatitis, cardiac problems, and arthritis. These issues can be fatal if not detected and treated early.
High salt content
Sausage is salty. Consuming them in large amounts raises the risk of salt or sodium poisoning in dogs. Sodium poisoning leads to dehydration, lethargy, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Unhealthy additives
Sausage contains seasonings and spices. Additives like garlic and onions are harmful as they can destroy red blood cells.
Which Sausage Recipes and Parts Can Be Eaten Safely by Frenchies?
Pork Sausages
Ground pork, seasonings, fat, preservatives, fillers, and salt are the main ingredients in pork sausages. Other seasonings include parsley, garlic, nutmeg, fennel, and black pepper.
So, can Frenchies eat pork sausages? No. Pork sausages use unhealthy ingredients. They also contain nitrates, which can cause cancer in the long run.
Chicken Sausage
Lean proteins are safe and healthy for dogs. Because they are leaner, chicken sausages are the healthiest treat for Frenchies. One chicken sausage link includes 147 calories, 7.8 grams of total fat, 1.7 grams of saturated fat, 69 milligrams of cholesterol, and 499 milligrams of sodium.
So, can Frenchies eat chicken sausage? Yes. However, you must be cautious of the components containing onions or garlic. Although we recommend avoiding any sausages in your dogs’ meals, if you must feed them something, use plain chicken.
Turkey Sausages
Chicken and turkey are lean protein sources. Turkey sausages are usually thinner than other options. One turkey sausage link includes 147 calories, 7.8 grams of total fat, 1.7 grams of saturated fat, 69 milligrams of cholesterol, and 499 milligrams of sodium.
So, can Frenchies eat turkey sausages? No. Though lower in fat and calories, Turkey sausages are not suitable for Frenchies. Furthermore, they are heavy in salt and frequently contain garlic, nutmeg, and onions, which are toxic to dogs.
Cocktail Sausages
Your dog’s weight and how much it consumes will dictate whether or not to give it cocktail sausages. Large dogs may tolerate small amounts of cocktail sausage.
So, can Frenchies eat cocktail sausages? No. It is best to avoid cocktail sausages in French Bulldogs. Cocktail sausages are fatty and come with the risk of pancreatitis.
Italian Sausage
Fennel or anise are attractive flavors. They are used in Italian sausages. Other ingredients in Italian sausages are salt, pepper, parsley, and basil.
So, can Frenchies eat Italian sausages? No. Italian sausages are not safe for French Bulldogs. They have lots of cholesterol, preservatives, flavors, fat, and salt, which can cause dog health problems.
German Sausage
German parboiled sausages comprise beef and pork wrapped in sheep’s intestines. They are processed beef commonly marketed in cans. A 4.6-ounce can have approximately 340 calories, with fat accounting for more than 75% of those calories. German sausages are also heavy in cholesterol, saturated fat, and salt. They also contain garlic powder and preservatives, which are harmful to dogs.
So, can Frenchies eat German sausage? No. German sausage has loads of fat, salt, and preservatives, exposing dogs to health problems and poisoning.
sausage meat
While sausage meat includes more protein and pork than typical sausage, it can still contain a lot of salt, flavor, added fat, and other additives that might hurt or injure your dog, especially if consumed regularly.
So, can Frenchies eat sausage meat? Yes, Frenchies can eat plain sausage meat in moderation. Avoid raw sausage meat, as it has bacteria and parasites.
Sausage rolls
Fat and salt are unhealthy for dogs. Sausage rolls are packed with fat, salt, and calories. They may, therefore, not be a healthy treat for your dog.
So, can dogs eat sausage rolls? No. Sausage rolls raise the risk of pancreatitis and obesity. They can also cause dehydration in large amounts. Do not worry if your dog takes a bite. It would not cause any harm.
Flavored sausage
We enjoy chorizo, liver, salami, or garlic-flavored sausages. They are tasty. But dogs cannot handle such flavors. They are harmful
So, can Frenchies eat flavored sausage? No. Flavored sausage contains harmful additives like onions, garlic, and nutmeg, which increase the chances of poisoning and digestive problems.
Sausage Grease
As mentioned, fat and salt are harmful to your dog’s wellness. Sausage grease has a lot of fat and salt.
So, can Frenchies eat sausage grease? No. Sausage grease is salty and fatty, thus exposing your French Bulldog to the risk of toxicity and obesity.
Fresh Sausages:
Fresh sausages, such as sausage patties, breakfast links, Italian sausage, bratwurst, and chorizo, are prepared using uncooked meat that has been chopped, crushed, or pureed. They must be frozen or refrigerated until they are consumed.
So, can Frenchies eat fresh sausages? No. Fresh sausages use raw meat, which can cause infections due to the presence of parasites and bacteria.
Cooked Sausages:
Cooking kills bacteria and parasites. It is the best way to serve sausages to your dog.
So, can Frenchies eat cooked sausages? Yes. Cooked sausages are safe and healthy for Frenchies. Serve them moderately, as too much can cause obesity.
Smoked Sausage
Smoked sausages, such as kielbasa, are smoked to cook them. They are hung in a smoker or smokehouse, where a cold fire is maintained to burn slowly and produce a large amount of smoke, which cooks, preserves, and flavors the sausages.
So, can Frenchies eat smoked sausages? Yes. Smoked sausages are safe for Frenchies. Serve them moderately and ensure they are not salty.
Sausage Treats
Rewarding your dog ensures it maintains its behavior. Healthy dog treats come in handy when training or giving pills to your dog. Sausage treats are examples of treats to reward your dog with.
But can Frenchies eat sausage treats? Yes. Sausage treats are safe for your Frenchie. Ensure the treats are free from unhealthy additives and serve them sparingly.
Best Ways To Prepare Sausage For Your Frenchie
Preparing sausages at home makes them safe and healthy for your Frenchie. This is because you can control the ingredients you add. Here’s a recipe to try at home:
Chicken sausage patties
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon of coconut oil
- ¼ cup chopped fresh sage
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup of chicken broth
- 1 ½ pounds of boneless chicken thighs
- 1 finely chopped green apple
Procedure
- Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl
- Form sausage meatballs using an ice cream scoop or your hand
- Transfer the meatballs to a baking sheet and roll out to approximately 1-inch
- Preheat a skillet with coconut oil and heat for 1-2 minutes
- Add 2-3 patties and cook for 3-4 minutes or until brown
- Repeat for all patties
Which Dog Food Brands Use Sausage in Their Foods?
From our discussion, we learned that sausage has varied benefits for your dog. It has proteins, vitamins, and omega fatty acids that contribute to your Frenchie’s overall wellness. Though rare, some dog food brands use sausage in their recipes.
- Cesar: Their recipe, Cesar Soft Wet Home Delights Sausage Flavor with Egg and Cheese Gravy, is delicious and features pork as the leading ingredient for high-quality protein to support bone and muscle functions. Chicken broth and water keep your dog hydrated and detoxified.
How Much Sausage Is Safe for a Dog?
Do not give seasoned salt to your dog. Vets recommend a maximum of 20 sausage sticks in 24 hours. Consuming high amounts of sausage can lead to obesity and other health issues.
The Side Effects of a Dog Eating Too Much Sausage
Sausage has a lot of fat. Additionally, sausage can include other seasonings that are harmful to dogs. The high salt content in sausages also makes them unhealthy for Frenchies. Here are the side effects of consuming too much sausage:
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Obesity
- Pancreatitis
How Do You Safely Feed Sausage to Dogs?
Here are some tips on how to safely feed sausage to dogs:
- Serve plain sausage with no additives
- Serve sausage at room temperature
- Serve sausage as a treat and not a frequent meal
- Cut into bite-sized pieces
- Monitor your dog after consumption
Healthy Alternatives Foods to Give Your Frenchie
Although you can serve sausage to your Frenchie in moderation, it is not a healthy treat. There are other healthy alternatives. There are sausage-like doggy snacks manufactured exclusively for dogs that are high in the nutrients that dogs require without a lot of seasonings and fat.
You can also cook fresh meat for your Frenchie. Frenchies can consume lean beef or chicken or eat seafood such as shrimp or salmon. Generally, never season your dogs’ food because many seasonings harm them.
What should I do if my Frenchie eats sausage?
Consuming small amounts of sausage will not cause any harm to your Frenchie. You should watch out for any signs of toxicity, including diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and dehydration. If your Frenchie has these symptoms, you should immediately visit the vet.
Are dogs able to eat raw sausage?
Dogs can eat raw sausage. But raw sausage is harmful to them. It has bacteria and parasites that cause infections.
Is pork sausage good for dogs?
Some pork sausages have unhealthy ingredients that may harm your dog. Small amounts of plain pork sausages are okay.
Can you give a dog breakfast sausage?
No. You should not give your dog breakfast sausage. Breakfast sausage has a lot of salt and fat, which are harmful. It also includes unhealthy seasonings.
What meat should dogs not eat?
Dogs should not consume processed or cooked meats with unhealthy flavors or ingredients. Raw meat is also harmful to dogs. It harbors bacteria and parasites, which cause infections.
Do I need to cook sausage for dogs?
Yes. Cooking destroys parasites and bacteria that can cause diseases. Cooked sausages are safe for dogs. But they should be plain, with no additives.
How do you serve dog sausage?
You should serve plain sausage to your dog. Ensure it is cooled and cut into small pieces to avoid choking. Serve sausages as treats, not whole meals.
Do you have to cook hot dog sausages for dogs?
No. You should not serve hotdogs to your dog. Hot dogs have unhealthy ingredients like sodium nitrate, which can cause cancer. They are also loaded with onions, salt, and garlic, which are harmful.
Final Thoughts
So, can Frenchies eat sausage?
Small pieces of sausage off your plate will not harm your Frenchie.
Nevertheless, you should not make it a regular diet for your dog. Instead, choose healthier treats that are just as tasty and much better for your Frenchie.
If you offer it a piece of sausage now and then, keep an eye on it to ensure it is not experiencing any side effects such as bloating, diarrhea, gas, or constipation.
It is important to always consult the vet before introducing any new meal, including sausages, to your French Bulldog’s diet.