Can Dogs Eat Pork Rinds?

All dog owners can relate to being watched while consuming food, especially one as delicious as pig rinds.

Many people have given their dogs pork rinds and table scraps for years and years “with no problem.”

If you’re being entirely honest, you should ask yourself “can dogs eat pork rinds”?

No, pork rinds shouldn’t be given to dogs.

Although they can eat pork, dogs should not consume the rinds.

They are produced using methods harmful to your dog’s health, such as frying and using a lot of salt and other seasonings.

It’s doubtful that eating pig rinds occasionally will harm your dog’s health in the long run.

One hot or fried pig rind from the shop could cause your dog serious harm.

Keep an eye on them because they could have an allergic reaction or a digestive issue.

The main point of this blog post about dogs eating pork rinds is that it is not acceptable to make it a regular occurrence and part of their diet.

Why Pork Rinds Is Bad For Dogs

We’ll now go into more depth about why you should refrain from giving your dog pork rinds.

Fried

Deep-frying is a phase in the process of making pork rinds, which can upset the stomach and induce diarrhea.

Feeding your dog high-fat foods frequently can cause pancreatitis, a severe condition that can be fatal if unchecked.

Among the symptoms of pancreatitis are:

  • Extreme lethargy

  • Severe dehydration

  • Stomach pain

  • Vomiting

  • Loss of appetite

  • Occasionally collapse and shock

Take your dog to the vet immediately if he displays any of these signs.

Salt

As was already said, pork rinds contain a lot of salt, and if too much salt is unhealthy for humans, it is also bad for dogs.

In addition to making your dog incredibly thirsty, too much sodium can harm their kidneys and cause sodium ion poisoning.

Your dog may exhibit the following signs of consuming too much sodium:

  • Depression

  • Diarrhea and vomiting

  • Fever

  • Tremors and seizures

Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible if you notice that he is displaying any or all of these symptoms after consuming pork rinds or other salty food.

Seasonings

There are many seasonings on pork rinds that are unhealthy for your dog.

You should be aware that dogs are often toxic to spicy foods if you have spicy pig rinds.

In addition to causing excessive thirst in your dog, it can cause stomach problems like diarrhea, discomfort, and gas.

Garlic and onions are ingredients that are poisonous to dogs if they are included in the seasonings on the pork rinds.

Once more, these components may cause diarrhea, upset stomach, and even anemia.

black dog on left side pork rinds on right side

Allergic Reactions

Pork is one of the foods that might trigger an allergic reaction in dogs who have never eaten it.

Dogs are just as susceptible to food allergies as humans are, and this is true even for dogs.

Some of the signs of an allergic reaction include these:

  • Diarrhea and vomiting

  • Stomach cramps and excessive gas

  • Excessive scratching and licking

  • Red and infected skin

  • Bald spots and itchy skin

  • Hot spots

  • Ear infections

Observe your dog to see whether he’s consumed any pork rinds.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice these signs a few hours after he eats them.

What Happens If A Dog Eats Pork Rinds?

pork rinds on a plate

Fortunately, if your dog consumes a small number of pork rinds, chicharrones, crackling, pork skin, or scratchings, they should be alright.

Make sure your dog doesn’t have a pork allergy before you give them pig rinds.

Since pork rinds contain a lot of salt, provide him with a bowl of fresh water.

Asking your veterinarian’s opinion first is a bright idea if you’re unsure of how your dog could respond to eating pork rinds.

The following signs indicate that your canine friend has had pork rinds:

Digestive upset

Your canine companion may have stomach pain, diarrhea, or vomiting after eating pork rinds.

Additionally, it may cause him to become physically unbalanced, stooped over or curled up, or sensitive to touch.

Keep a close eye on his behavior to determine whether the symptoms are short-term (less than 24 hours).

It’s recommended to only feed him his usual dog chow after the first 24 hours.

It is advised to take him to the vet if his symptoms continue after the first 24 hours.

Make sure your dog stays hydrated by keeping fresh water available.

Ask your veterinarian if Purina Fortiflora, a probiotic for dogs that can assist in reestablishing balance in their digestive tract, is something they would advise.

Salt Poisoning

Salt poisoning is dangerous since it indicates a fluid imbalance in the dog.

The following physical symptoms of salt toxicity include:

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Muscle tremors

  • High fever

  • Weakness

  • Frequent potty or urination

  • Seizures

  • Depression

  • Dehydration and very thirsty

Consult your vet as soon as you notice your pup has salt poisoning. 

 Can Pork Rinds Be Toxic To Dogs?

Salt toxicity becomes the primary issue if your dog consumes the entire bag of pork rinds after dehydration, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Dogs who consume too much salt have problems because it disrupts the equilibrium of their physiological fluids.

The AKC claims that a dog’s body would release water from its cells in response to considerable salt consumption to restore the correct fluid balance.

This physical reaction includes seizures, seizures, weakness, depression, a thirst that won’t go away, a high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting.

When a dog has salt poisoning, its symptoms worsen significantly because they lose even more fluids.

If you are unclear whether your dog has salt poisoning, check him out by a vet as soon as possible.

Salt poisoning is a severe ailment that can be fatal.

Can Dogs Have Pork Rinds As A Treat?

No, Pork rind shouldn’t be given to your dog as a treat.

What does it mean for your dog if we’ve determined that pork rinds are only for people and aren’t the healthiest snack option?

Any food created particularly for people should never be given to your dog.

Many of the substances in human nutrition are not only unhealthy for dogs, but they may also be poisonous.

Any food high in salt and fat will be a bad snack for your dog because the same ingredients that are bad for us are also harmful.

pork rinds on left side white dog on right side

 My Dog Ate Pork Rinds – What Should I Do?

Your canine companion may have stomach pain, diarrhea, or vomiting after eating pork rinds.

Additionally, it may cause him to become physically unbalanced, stooped over or curled up, or sensitive to touch.

There are several things you can do to aid your dog’s recovery if the digestive upset lasts for a few days but is not severe enough to call for medical care, such as:

  • Seek the professional guidance of your dog’s vet

  • Feed fresh, clean water

  • Limit exposure to extreme temperatures

  • Reduce physical exercise

  • Feed a bland diet of plain baked chicken for two days

  • Feed plain white rice for two days

  • Adhere to a rigorous diet of solely commercial dog food, water, and bland dog treats for your dog, and forego any table leftovers or human delicacies

  • Look into dog probiotics to assist the bacteria in their digestive tract go back to normal

Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Pork Rinds?

pork rinds on left side dog on right side

Unfortunately, not all human foods are suitable for dogs; therefore, we must exercise caution while giving them our leftovers.

Pork rinds are not the healthiest human food, so it is even worse when your dog consumes them.

As you know now, dogs can not eat pork rinds.

They contain a lot of salt and fat, risk factors for more severe illnesses like pancreatitis and salt poisoning.

Additionally, the seasonings on top of the unhealthy pig rinds may have dog-toxic chemicals.

You should also avoid giving pork rinds to your dog if she has a sensitive stomach or is prone to food allergies.

If your dog eats one or two occasions and has no health issues, he probably won’t have any issues, but wouldn’t it be better to be safe than sorry?

For your dog to be content and in good health, you must give her food and treats that she likes and that are also good for her.

Even raw pork rinds are not safe for your dog to eat due to a risk of infection transmitted by uncooked pork meat.

Before You Go…

Now you know the answer to the question, “Can dogs eat pork rinds?”.

If you want to learn more, read the following articles too!

Dimitra Kokologianni, DVM
Dimitra holds a Masters’s degree in public health and a Bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine. She is a versatile professional with over 7 years of experience. Her passion for animal welfare and preventive medicine makes her an excellent resource for our readers.