If you enjoy barbecues, then you’re probably familiar with brisket. In fact, Texas style smoked brisket is one of the most popular food throughout the United States!
But is it okay to feed this delicacy to your canine buddy?
Well, dogs digest food in a different way than us. They have stomach acid that is a hundred times stronger than humans.
Still, you may want to avoid feeding them briskets since they don’t have much tolerance for sodium and spices.
With that in mind, in this post, we’ll take a look to figure out if dogs can eat brisket to some extent and what to do if they eat more than they should.
What Is Brisket?
A brisket is a specific cut of meat that comes from the cow’s breast section or pectoral muscles.
In general, it’s a large cut that weighs about three to seven pounds and has a dense collection of connective tissues. As a result, it’s a pretty tough piece of meat.
The brisket is also the second most-consumed type of meat in the United States, with only chicken surpassing it. It’s most often cooked for hours with low temperature and moist heat, though you can also cook it quickly with dry heat.
Moreover, this meat has become very popular in recent years, with many people believing that it’s one of the best cuts to grill during the summer months.
Can Your Dog Eat Brisket?
Yes, Dogs can eat brisket as long as it’s raw or does not have any seasonings. But, we usually cook brisket for a long time and use many spices and salt to bring out its flavor.
Unfortunately, the dog’s digestive system cannot process the spices and salt in a brisket efficiently.
As such, the brisket can cause,
- Sodium poisoning
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Blood Sugar Drop
- Food poisoning
Moreover, we often use spices for cooking brisket, and some herbs can cause your pet to become allergic. Or, in extreme cases, it might lead to food poisoning and death!
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Brisket?
You can do several things if your dog has ingested a large amount of brisket. First, make sure that they are adequately hydrated; then, if they continue to show symptoms, contact the vet immediately.
The vet can check your furry friend for sodium or food poisoning signs. Also, making sure that the pet isn’t suffering from indigestion or allergies can help you keep your buddy safe in the long run.
However, if they have eaten a large amount, the vet may need to give them an IV drop to keep them hydrated.
Nowadays, you can even consult the vet over the phone and get a decent idea of what you should or should not feed your dog. Moreover, it might be a better approach since dogs have several different breeds with special diets.
Nevertheless, if you can’t contact the vet, try calling the nearest animal shelter. Chances are, they’ll have experts who can help you stabilize your dog’s situation.
Can Puppies Eat Brisket?
It would be best if you did not feed briskets to puppies. Unlike the full-grown heavier canines, the more miniature puppies do not have robust digestion.
In addition, the salt-rich brisket is most likely going to be harmful to the smaller breeds of dogs as well.
So, in essence, you should not let the pups near cooked or spiced meat, let alone brisket.
Bottom Line
Dogs should not eat brisket because they are carnivores, and the high sodium level in the brisket is bad for their health.
The spice in the brisket is also harmful to dogs as it can lead to indigestion or even food poisoning.
Therefore, if you wish to keep your four-legged friends healthy, happy and energetic, you may want to avoid giving them a slice of brisket.