Can dogs be given pork?

The question - is it possible for dogs to eat pork, is faced by most owners. It is not always clear why pork meat is not allowed for pets, because this product is of natural origin.

Facts and Myths

1. It is generally accepted that when dogs eat pork, it is poorly absorbed. This is not true, since pork meat has the highest digestibility by the body of the pet than other meat, such as veal. Pork loses on this indicator only lamb.
2. It is believed that pets should not be given pork because of its increased fat content. This is a myth. The percentage of fat in pork is really high, which scientists do not deny. However, fat is not distributed everywhere, but is localized in certain areas of the pig carcass. Therefore, choosing when buying a piece of lean meat is not difficult. You should stop the choice on the shoulder blade or tenderloin. In such pieces of pork meat, the proportion of fat is less than in diet chicken.
3. Lack of essential nutrients. This is also fiction. After all, pork is rich in elements such as zinc, phosphorus and B vitamins, which have a positive effect on the body. In addition, pork offal will be useful.
4. Pork can lead to intestinal inversion. This problem is partly real, but the reason is not pork meat, but physical activity with a full stomach. In order to avoid such consequences, you should feed the dog in small portions, especially if the dog is at risk (for example, a shepherd at a young age).
5. Increased blood cholesterol. Eating pork can lead to high cholesterol. However, feeding a dog and other fatty meats, fish, and chicken eggs can also contribute to this.

Why pork is dangerous for a dog

The ban on feeding dogs pork meat is not due to the above factors, such as poor digestibility or increased fat content, but to other reasons. So why should you still avoid feeding your dog pork meat?

1. Diseases Pigs are prone to many different diseases, some of which can be easily transferred to a pet. An example of such diseases is false rabies. You should be aware that the virus is resistant and dies only after prolonged cooking in water at a temperature of at least 70 C. The meat of a sick animal can be infected with the virus, as well as be present in the meat of individuals who have already had the disease. In this connection, you can not give the dog raw pork.
2. High concentration of parasites. When feeding a dog with raw meat, the likelihood of infection with worms or trichinosis increases.

Determining the presence of parasites and their further treatment in a dog is a complex process, since their development in the body begins with the formation of a larva. It will not be possible to avoid infection with even a good cook of pork, as the larvae are enclosed in capsules that are resistant to high temperatures. This disease is a danger not only to the dog, but also to humans. In this connection, before buying pork, you need to make sure that you pass the control.

How to give a dog pork meat?

Despite the fact that all proteins of animal origin pose a potential threat to pets, the dog's body will not be able to ensure normal functioning without their use. Each owner should decide whether to add pork meat to the pet’s diet or not.If it is decided not to exclude pork, you must follow the following rules and recommendations:

It is not recommended to feed the dog meat that has not undergone heat treatment, offal. More useful for the animal will be a piece of beef or chicken meat. This will reduce the risk of parasite infection in the dog.

Do not feed your dog pork every day. Preference should be given to boiled meat with a small amount of fat. If it is necessary to include pork in the dog’s diet on a daily basis, you should opt for by-products.

Fact! Frozen meat also retains infection if it has been exposed to infection.

It is allowed to feed the dog with pork meat purchased exclusively in shops and outlets where the product that has passed the examination is sold.

Many veterinarians today are changing their attitude to pork and prescribing the use of small amounts to dogs that have had various diseases and dieting in order to speed up the pet’s healing process.

Dog meat and digestion

Due to its high fat content, pork meat, when consumed in large volumes, is difficult to digest in the dog’s stomach, as mentioned above. Therefore, fat accumulates in the liver cells, and this, in turn, causes obesity in the dog.

Getting rid of obesity is an extremely difficult task. It is inherent nature that the dog’s body does not absorb heavy food. Therefore, even if pork meat is a good product for a person, this does not mean that it is suitable for food for a dog. Even if the meat does not contain harmful bacteria and microorganisms that can lead to infection, it can be harmful to the dog. So, one of the most dangerous diseases that threaten the health of the dog - the "plague" - occurs as a result of feeding the pet with pork meat.

Pork meat and dog diseases

In addition, pork can lead to the following diseases:

1. Aujeszky's disease, also called pseudo-rabies. The cause of this disease is the consumption of raw pork or in contact with infected pigs. The symptomatology of the disease is similar to signs of rabies, manifests itself 1-2 days after infection and does not leave time to determine the diagnosis. Most often has a fatal outcome.
2. Toxocariasis. With this disease, worm larvae, once in the body, spread throughout all internal organs, sequentially affecting the heart, brain and other organs.
3. Teniosis (or tapeworm). Among the symptoms are a decrease in body weight, a halt in the growth of the dog, which leads to damage to the central nervous system and ultimately to death.

Need to know

Despite the likely danger when feeding pork, sometimes the pet’s body itself requires it. So, in the winter, dogs accumulate fat to maintain body temperature. Therefore, it is recommended to include pork in the diet at least once a week.

Important! You should choose lean slices of meat that has been tested for infection.

Add pork

Today, feed manufacturers offer products with pork meat. You can purchase such feeds at large pet stores. Manufacturers drew attention to such a product as pork due to its nutritional properties and vitamin-rich composition. Also, pork is hypoallergenic, almost without causing allergic reactions.

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