Ham
CautionThe AKC advises against feeding ham. It is loaded with sodium, nitrates and fat, and excess salt in dogs causes vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, and at worst kidney damage, seizures and death.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Check the precautions before sharing
Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Increased thirst
- Increased urine volume
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Dehydration
- Tremors
- Poor coordination or balance
- Seizures
More about this food
Ham is a cured product, not simply pork. The AKC's position is that a sliver once in a while probably will not hurt your dog, but ham is not something to feed on purpose.
Sodium is the first reason. The AKC warns that excess salt can be toxic to dogs, producing vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, lethargy and abnormal fluid accumulation, and in worse cases kidney damage, seizures, coma and death. Merck sets clinical signs of salt toxicosis at 2-3 g/kg with an acute oral lethal dose around 4 g/kg, and calls serum sodium above 160 mEq/L diagnostic. A couple of slices will not usually reach that. What reaches a dog is the repetition: a 33 lb dog needs roughly 200 mg of sodium a day, and a holiday ham, a deli slice at lunch or a chunk of the Easter roast clears that without effort.
Fat is the second. The AKC notes ham's fat is hard for dogs to digest and that too much fat can lead to pancreatitis and other digestive upsets, pegging healthy dog food at roughly 15-20% animal fat. Merck's guidance for dogs is a ration under 20 g of fat per 1,000 kcal.
Additives are the third. The AKC describes ham as loaded with nitrates and nitrites, which are sodium-based, and glazes add sugar on top. Honey-baked and spiral-cut hams are often finished with clove, brown sugar and, in many recipes, garlic or onion powder. Merck reports that most Allium poisonings in pets involve exactly those concentrated dehydrated forms.
If your dog stole a slice, leave water freely available and watch. Withholding water is the single most dangerous response to a salt exposure. Increased drinking and urination alone is common; staggering, tremors, disorientation or seizures are neurologic signs of salt toxicosis and mean go now. If a large amount disappeared, call before signs appear: your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Do not induce vomiting at home, and never use salt or salt water to make a dog vomit; Pet Poison Helpline warns this itself causes salt poisoning.
Frequently asked questions
- My dog ate a slice of holiday ham. What do I watch for?
- Leave water down and watch for vomiting, diarrhea, heavy drinking and frequent urination, which are common and usually self-limiting. Staggering, tremors, disorientation or seizures are neurologic salt toxicosis and mean an emergency visit. Also watch 24-48 hours for pancreatitis signs like repeated vomiting and abdominal pain.
- He's drinking a lot of water after eating ham. Should I take the bowl away?
- No. Never restrict water after a salt exposure, because dehydration is what turns high sodium into brain injury. Leave water freely available, let the dog drink normally, and call your veterinarian if you see tremors, wobbliness or disorientation.
- Is low-sodium or deli ham any better?
- Lower-sodium ham is still salty by canine standards, and the fat and nitrites do not change. The AKC's recommendation is to pick a dog treat instead. If you want to share pork, give a small amount of plain cooked lean meat with the fat trimmed.