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Many dog owners have been known to give their furry friends a little bit of whatever they’re eating, but is this always a good idea?
When it comes to corned beef hash, you should know a few things before sharing your meal with your pup.
First off, can dogs eat corned beef hash? Is it safe for them?
Dogs should never eat corned beef hash. Corned beef by itself is high in fat and sodium. The sodium contents alone can be so high it causes salt poisoning in some dogs. Combine that with hash, which usually contains hash brown, spices, and onions, and you have a dangerous dish for dogs.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- Why corned beef hash is terrible for dogs
- The dangers of dogs eating corned beef hash
- What to do if your dog eats corned beef hash
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Can Dogs Eat Corned Beef Hash?
The quick answer is no. Dogs should not eat corned beef hash because it is high in fat and sodium and usually contain onions which are toxic to dogs.
The sodium content in corned beef can be so high that some dogs can get salt poisoning.
When you add the spices, hash brown potatoes, and onions found in most hash dishes, you now have food made up of harmful ingredients to dogs.
What Is Corned Beef Hash?
Corned beef hash is a dish made of corned beef, potatoes, spices, and onions that are usually fried.
The corned beef is made from brisket, a cut of meat high in fat. It is then brined or soaked in a salty water solution.
The spices used in corned beef hash include pepper, cloves, allspice, and mustard seed.
Onions are also a common ingredient found in this dish. And as we will discuss later, onions are toxic to dogs and should be avoided.
Can Corned Beef Hash Be Good For Dogs?
No, corned beef hash is not good for dogs. The high-fat and sodium contents, spices, onions, and other additives that compose this dish make it a poor choice for dogs to eat.
Dangers Of Dogs Eating Corned Beef Hash
As we briefly mentioned, there are some definite dangers when dogs eat corned beef hash.
High Levels Of Sodium
Corn beef is made by soaking brisket in a salty water solution called brine. This helps to preserve the meat and give it its corned beef flavor.
However, all that salt is horrible for dogs. A dog’s body is not designed to tolerate the amount of salt from corn beef.
A 3-ounce (85g) cooked corn beef can contain up to 827mg of sodium.
Now, if you look at a recommended daily sodium intake for a dog that’s 33 lbs, it’s less than 100mg of sodium.
The bigger the dog, the more it can eat, and the smaller, the less.
For example, a 10lbs Yorkie should have less than 30 mg of salt. In contrast, a 75lbs Golden Retriever should have no more than 227 mg.
So you can see just how bad it can be for dogs to eat corned beef.
High In Fat
Another danger is the high level of fat. Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis in dogs, which is a painful and potentially life-threatening condition.
Onions
Most corned beef hash will also contain onions.
Onions contain a substance called thiosulfate. This is toxic to dogs and can cause anemia.
Signs of onion toxicity include:
- Lethargy and weakness
- No appetite
- Pale gums
- Fainting
- Reddish urine
Small amounts may not be lethal, but it’s still not something you want your dog to eat.
Spices
Spices used to make hash can also irritate a dog’s stomach and cause digestive problems.
Too much spice can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive issues.
Overall corned beef hash contains too many dangerous ingredients to make it a safe option for dogs to eat.
Can Corned Beef Kill Dogs?
Yes, in severe cases, dogs can die from eating corned beef.
Due to some ingredients, if a dog gets into corned beef and overeats, it could result in some severe health problems.
These problems include:
- Salt poisoning
- Pancreatitis
- Anemia
- Digestive issues
So if your dog eats corned beef hash, it’s essential to watch and keep a close eye on them for any severe symptoms.
Next, I’ll cover what to do if your dog gets into corned beef.
What To Do If Your Dog Overeats Corned Beef?
If your dog has eaten a concerning amount of corned beef, the most important thing to do is contact your vet immediately.
Vets will usually ask about the following things when you reach out:
- Ingredients in the food consumed
- Amount of food consumed
- The size of your dog
- How long ago they ate it
- Any unusual changes to your dog’s behaviors
- Your dog’s energy level
- Signs of physical pain or discomfort
- If your dog’s drinking or eating still
- If they have pooped or vomited since eating it (and a description of how it looks)
Every situation is different depending on what they eat, how much, and how big the dog is.
Knowing these common questions vets will ask can help determine what you should pay attention to.
Of course, you know your dog best, so if you think something is off, you’re likely right.
As a rule of thumb, always seek medical advice from your vet if you know they ate something dangerous or you’re concerned.
When a dog overeats corned beef, the big concern is salt poisoning.
Some signs of this can include:
- Vomiting
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Lips and tongue swelling
- Fever
- Lethargic and weakness
- Muscle tremors or spasms
- Abdominal pain
- Drunk-like walking (no balance)
- Convulsions
- Difficulty breathing or respiratory distress
- Confusion
- Increased heartbeat
- Seizures
Contact your vet if your dog is showing any symptoms, stops eating or drinking, seems “off” and not like themselves.
You can also use online services to speak directly with a vet for immediate help.
Click here if you wish to speak with a vet online right now.
Bonus tip: Whenever I’m concerned about my dog’s health, I’ll ask my father, Dr. Littlejohn. He will usually ask me, “can you get your dog all excited and happy? Do they seem like themselves?” If you can answer yes, it’s a good indicator they are okay.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canned Corned Beef OK For Dogs?
No, canned corned beef is not okay for dogs.
Canned corned beef contains higher sodium levels than homemade corned beef and usually contains other added ingredients that can be dangerous to dogs.
It’s also usually brined in solutions using saltpeter, pepper, salt, and sugar, which can also be dangerous for dogs.
Lastly, canned corned beef comprises processed meats containing preservatives to keep the fresh meat longer.
These preservatives can also be harmful to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Fresh Corned Beef?
No, dogs should not eat fresh corned beef. It does not matter how it’s made; all forms of canned beef should be off-limits to dogs.
No matter how you make corned beef, it needs to be brined in a salt solution with other spices.
This process by itself makes it bad for dogs.
What Happens If Dogs Eat Corned Beef?
As I’ve covered, if dogs eat corned beef, it can result in salt poisoning, pancreatitis, anemia, and digestive issues.
All of these health problems can be serious and even life-threatening.
It’s important to keep an eye on your dog and watch for any severe symptoms if they have eaten corned beef.
If it’s just a small amount, it’s unlikely to cause any problems for your dog, but all dogs react differently to foods.
Can Dogs Eat Hash?
No, dogs cannot eat hash. Hash is a food made up of leftover meat, vegetables, and potatoes that are chopped up and fried together.
It usually contains high levels of salt, fat, and other spices, which can be harmful to dogs.
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