Dogs love to eat meat and organs, and why not? After all, meat provides a lot of health benefits to dogs. We’ve already discussed whether dogs can eat Pig shoulder bones or not.
It’s time to address another most asked question by dog owners: Can Dogs Eat Pig’s Feet? We can’t answer this now, as you should be aware of certain things before choosing Pig’s feet for your dog’s meal.
We’ve explained those things, such as Pig’s trotter’s benefits, harms, and optimum quantity to feed your dog. You see, feeding Pig’s feet to your dog has specific harms and benefits.
In this article, you’ll learn how to feed it to your dog to get most of the benefits and eliminate harm. Without further ado, let’s learn (for the sake of your dog’s health
Can Dogs Eat Pig’s Feet?
Yes, dogs can eat Pig’s Feet, not a regular use but a treat ( once or twice a week). In fact, it is an excellent idea because it is full of protein and other nutrients.
It will help promote the health and growth of the dogs. However, there are some harms and benefits associated with Pig’s feet that you must know.
What are the Harms of feeding Pig Trotters to dogs?
1. Aujeszky Disease in Dogs
It is a disease which is also known as pseudorabies, which is a virus dogs get from infected animals or pig trotters. If a pig is infected, there are many chances of your dog getting infected. This infection has a speedy growth and is almost fatal.
Symptoms are fever, respiratory stress, and CNS symptoms, and sadly, there is no treatment for this disease ( no vaccination).
2. Salt Content
The salt needs of dogs are much less than humans. So, eating a high amount of salt leads to sodium ion poisoning. Its symptoms are thirst, more urine, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and seizure ( only in severe cases).
Mostly it happens when dogs eat smoked pig feet, which are high in salt because salt is used to preserve them. Although, you should avoid using pre-packages/preserved pig feet for dogs. If you want to use them, then rinse them thoroughly.
3. Fat Content
Pork trotters have a high amount of fats that do not require (needs protein). A high dose of fat content can lead to health issues: pancreatitis and obesity in dogs.
Use pig trotters as a treat for dogs only, not regular use. High-fat content has some symptoms: yellow stool, loss of appetite, diarrhea, loose stool, and vomiting.
4. Digestive issues/Parasites
Pig feet can have parasites: E.coli, Salmonella, and listeria, which are highly damaging to dogs’ health. Overeating pig trotters leads to digestive issues because it is never recommended to eat this for dogs regularly.
Are there any Health Benefits?
1. Protects Dogs Teeth
Chewing pig trotters help in promoting better health of teeth and gums. It strengthens teeth and helps maintain them for a long time in dogs.
2. Excellent Source of Protein and Nutrients
Pig trotters are a great source of protein and other nutrients: zinc, vitamins, and iron because they contain marrows, bones, meat, and tendons.
Being high in protein helps dogs maintain their protein needs and build and maintain muscle health. Pig trotters are rich in protein and calcium and are great for pints and bones.
Nutrition in a Pig Feet
Pig feet are protein-rich meat with collagen, great for dogs’ skin and coats. It’s low fats and high protein make it ideal for joints and skin. It is excellent for dogs who need protein as it will help in the growth and healthy health of the dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Pig’s Feet?
Raw pig’s feet are a great source of beneficial nutrients and proteins. Always prefer raw pig feet over overcooked ones, and using raw pig feet helps maintain healthy teeth and digestive systems for dogs.
Other than that, meat with bones should never be cooked for dog use. Why? Because the cooking process makes the bones of the meat brittle and less soft, which results in splinters in dogs’ mouths (which can lead to fatal consequences).
Use raw pig’s feet for your dog; never cook and serve it with a bone to your dog. When cooked, it makes bone brittle, splinting easily, causing stomach, intestinal, and mouth damage/ injuries.
Frozen Pig’s Feet for Dogs
Frozen pig feet are the raw meat saved without using any preservatives. You can also buy pig feet, freeze them yourself, and use them later. You can also give your dog frozen meat, which will help them enjoy it longer.
Smoked Pig Feet for Dogs
After eating smoked pig feet, you want to feed your dog leftovers: never do that. It is human-friendly but not suitable for your dogs. Reasons include:
It has a high salt content because salt is used to preserve it (salts help keep meat longer). It has too much salt, and dogs’ salt needs are much lower than humans. I
f dogs eat smoked pig feet. It can lead to diarrhoea, tremors, seizures, and in some cases, extreme thirst.
Dehydrated Pig Feet For Dogs
How do you make dehydrated pig feet? Yeah, right after cooking it, which means you will cook pig feet and make the bones brittle, fragile, and less soft.
What will this cause? It will end up choking your dog, bleeding, or injuries when they splinter it inside their mouth. It is okay for your pet dog to eat dehydrated pig feet if not cooked before the process.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Pig’s Feet?
Dogs can eat pig feet: it is an excellent source of protein and calcium for dogs. However, only raw pig feet are allowed, which are not cooked. You should not give your dog cooked pig feet.
As you know, pig feet have bones. When the bones get cooked, they get brittle ( what if they break in dogs’ mouths?) No. Right? You will never want that because it is dangerous and can cause serious injuries, not only in the mouth but in the stomach and intestines, too.
How to Prepare Pig’s Feet for Dogs?
Although preparing pig feet is not a good idea, it has bones, and cooked bones are not for dogs. However, you can follow the steps below to prepare pig trotters for your dog.
- Let the pig feet simmer in water for almost an hour.
- Then, remove it from the water.
- Remove its bones and let it cool down.
- Add this meat to dry dog food to balance other nutrient needs of the dog.
Optimum Quantity of Pig Feets Dogs Can Have
Pig feet are high in protein and other nutrients. Always use them as treats for dogs. Regular use results in weight gain and other health issues.
Giving as a treat means giving them once or twice a week. Keep your dog’s health, weight, size, breed, and other needs in mind while giving them pig feet. Also, consult your vet.
Can Dogs Eat Pig Feet Bones?
Although pig feet bones are great for dogs, they help promote dental health and make them stronger. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when giving dogs bones:
Do’s
- Always use raw bone for dogs.
- Give the bone to dogs for only 15-20 mins.
- Stay close to your dog when you give them a bone.
- Give dogs a human-grade bone.
Don’t’s
- Do not give them small bones, which they can swallow easily.
- Do not give dogs cooked bones. (small or cooked bones can lead to accidents).
- Avoid using pre-packaged bones.
Raw Vs. Cooked Bones for Dogs
A considerable difference exists between cooked and raw bones for dogs: cooked bones can lead to choking hazards. Also, when the bones are cooked, they become brittle, less soft, and still, which causes them to injure themselves if they break in their mouth.
Cooked bones splinter easily, and the sharp edges can cut your dog inside their mouth while eating. It can lead to mouth bleeding and, in severe cases, cause internal bleeding. It also causes a lot of damage, passing through the gastrointestinal tract.
However, raw bones have more benefits. It is an excellent protein, calcium, phosphorous and other nutrients source. It helps dental issues in dogs and protects them (makes them stronger).
But you also have to keep an eye on your dog when you give them a bone and always choose a bone big enough that they can not swallow.
What are the Possible Harms of Bones for Dogs?
Usually, bones are considered excellent for dogs, as it provide nutrients and protein to dogs. However, there are a few problems, or you can say harms, that bones can provide your dog depending on their age and health.
- Broken teeth: it is hard and can be brittle, and if your dog is older, it can break their teeth.
- When bones break, it can lead to injuries in the dog’s mouth, gums, and tongue.
- Upon swallowing bone: lodging in the oesophagus or penetrating the soft tissues of the throat or esophagus. Results in choking when it enters the windpipe ( disturbing breathing).
- Damaging intestines: entering in dog’s body damages both the stomach and the intestines. Completely penetrating the intestine causes leakage directly into the abdomen, resulting in an abdomen infection ( that can be fatal).
- Raw bones containing parasites: E.coli, Salmonella, and listeria cause sickness in dogs, which can be life-threatening.
- Pre-packaged bones have preservatives (helping in storing them longer) lead to thiamine deficiency.
Can Humans Eat raw Pig Feet?
Porks have many bioactive meat compounds, creatine, taurine, and glutathione, which benefit humans. However, undercooked or raw food is never recommended for humans, as it has a lot of parasites, which can be highly dangerous for dogs.
You can use pig feet after cooking it. There is less meat on pig feet, but it has gelatin to provide for humans. Humans can quickly get diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach issues after eating raw pig feet, so avoid doing that.
Normally, it is believed that pig leg bones produce toxic metals: chromium and lead. Also, all humans can eat pork, but only after cooking it.
Conclusion
Talking about pig feet for pets: Can Dogs Eat Pig’s Feet? Yes, dogs can eat pig feet because it provide high protein and other nutrients. However, the real question is whether owners should give their pets pig feet cooked or raw.
When we talk about meat that has bone, never cook it for dogs because cooking makes it soft, and it can easily break in dogs’ mouths, causing serious injuries or choking.
Although it can cause some harm, it still supports teeth and benefits protein-required dogs.
FAQ’s
Can Dogs Eat Pork Shoulder Bones?
Eating shoulder bones is perfectly fine for dogs. Other than being safe, it is easily available and affordable for owners. These bones are juicy, and dogs love them.
It is full of nutrients and provides a good amount of protein to the dogs. Shoulder bone has 11-15% protein and is a great calcium source. It is better than other bones because it is large and does not break easily.
Is it ok to feed dogs raw pork?
Yes, it is ok to give your dog raw pork, and it is a great source of protein and other nutrients. Cooked meats are mostly not recommended for dogs as their nutrients might not remain the same.
Can dogs eat raw pig legs?
Raw pig legs are a great occasional treat for dogs. It is ok to give pets pig legs as a treat sometimes, but they should be in their original raw form.
Where can you buy pig’s feet for dogs?
You can buy it from nearby stores and shops depending on your location. Always buy original raw-form pig feet. You can also buy it online, but they use preservatives to store it longer.