Can dogs eat chicharron or pork rinds? Why they shouldn’t
Most dog owners know that it’s perfectly fine for your furry friend to eat pork. But have you ever questioned if they can eat chicharron (or pork rinds)?
Let’s look at why they shouldn’t, shall we?
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It’s better not to feed dogs chicharron
Pork rinds, pork scraps, and pork skin that are bought in packages in the store are all prepared with lots of salt, spices (such as cinnamon sugar), and various frying techniques. These can be harmful to your pet’s health, and so should be avoided.
There’s no need to panic though; chicharron isn’t detrimental to your dog’s health. If you accidentally gave them one, or you gave them one to try, there’s most likely no reason for you to rush to the vet.
Also read: how to make a delicious Filipino chicharon bulaklak recipe
It depends on the dog
Even though it’s highly unlikely that your dog will have an attack after eating pork rinds, it truly does depend on the dog. If you know that they have a sensitive stomach or digestive issues, it’s best to keep an eye on them if they’ve eaten some, for whatever reason.
Also read: can my dog eat ramen noodles, or is it too salty?
What can happen if your dog eats pork rinds?
Pork rinds have a lot of salt in them, so it can lead to salt poisoning if your dog eats too many of them. It can also lead to high blood pressure. Symptoms include excessive thirst and vomiting.
Stick to regular pork
To avoid any kind of complications or rushed visits to the vet, it’s best to give your dog regular pork in addition to regular dog food if you want to give Fido some human food.
Of course, this means cooked pork.
Raw pork is another no-go zone, as the raw meat can contain a parasite called trichinella spiralis larvae. If they get this parasite, they can have an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, muscle stiffness, and inflamed muscles.
You’ll need to bring your dog to the vet if you suspect they have this parasite. The vet can then diagnose and prescribe antiparasitic drugs to give your pet some relief.
Don’t feed your dog chicharron
To summarize, both chicharron and raw pork can be dangerous for your dog. So your best bet is to avoid them altogether, including spicy pork rinds.
If your dog is a fan of pork, a nice piece of cooked meat in the blender or cut up into chunks is the safest and probably tastiest option. Just make sure it’s fully and thoroughly cooked!
Check out our new cookbook
Bitemybun's family recipes with complete meal planner and recipe guide.
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Read for free
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.