Sausage and hot dogs
CautionSausage stacks sodium, fat, nitrites and garlic or onion powder into one bite, and a swallowed link is a choking hazard on top of that. The AKC recommends against feeding hot dogs and sausages to dogs.
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
- Abdominal pain
- Increased thirst
- Increased urine volume
- Lethargy
- Choking
- Pale gums or mucous membranes
- Haemoglobin in urine
- Pancreatitis
More about this food
Sausage delivers four separate problems at once.
Sodium is the first. The AKC puts a 33 lb dog's daily sodium need at about 200 mg and notes that the average hot dog contains more than 500 mg, so one link is more than double a day's requirement, with dehydration and elevated blood pressure over time. Merck sets acute salt toxicosis at 2-3 g/kg for clinical signs and about 4 g/kg as the lethal dose, so a single hot dog is not an acute poisoning, but it is not food for a dog either.
Additives are the second. The AKC lists sodium nitrate, MSG, and sugars or artificial sweeteners as standard hot dog ingredients. Any product labeled sugar-free deserves a look at the panel, because xylitol in a dog is a hypoglycemic emergency within hours, not a stomach ache.
Alliums are the third. The AKC specifically warns that sausage seasonings include garlic and onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. Merck reports clinical signs from 15-30 g/kg of raw onion, with garlic three to five times more toxic, and notes that most poisonings involve concentrated dehydrated flakes, powders and soup mixes rather than fresh vegetables. Red cell damage begins within 24 hours and peaks near 72, but the hemolysis appears 3-5 days out. Pale gums, red or brown urine and labored breathing are late signs.
Choking is the fourth. The AKC warns hot dogs are a choking hazard, especially for big dogs that swallow without chewing. Never toss a whole link or a coin-cut round to a dog.
One hot dog will probably cause nothing worse than a bellyache or diarrhea, per the AKC, and warrants a call if diarrhea persists or vomiting joins it. Call before signs appear if your dog ate several, if the label lists garlic or onion powder, or if the package says sugar-free. Your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 can triage it. Do not induce vomiting at home.
Frequently asked questions
- My dog grabbed a hot dog at a cookout. Is that an emergency?
- Usually not on its own; the AKC expects a bellyache or diarrhea at worst from one. Leave water available and call your vet if diarrhea persists or vomiting starts. Bring the package and call sooner if the ingredients list garlic or onion powder or the product is sugar-free.
- Can I boil sausage to get the salt out?
- Boiling removes a little surface salt and leaves the fat, nitrites and garlic or onion powder exactly where they were. It does not turn a cured sausage into a dog treat. Use plain unseasoned cooked meat cut into small pieces instead.
- Are dog-branded sausage treats different?
- Treats formulated for dogs control sodium and fat to canine standards, but they are still treats and belong inside 10% of daily calories. Human sausage is not a portion problem, it is the wrong food.