Can Dogs Eat Bacon? The Salty Truth About This Tempting Treat
Can dogs eat bacon? Learn the facts, risks, and healthier alternatives in this expert guide from The Canine Dietitian. Includes a safe bacon-style dog recipe.
Bacon — it’s crispy, salty, smoky, and absolutely irresistible to most humans (unless you are a vegan or vegetarian - I see you) and dogs alike. But should you be sharing bacon with your dog? As a canine nutritionist, I get this question all the time — and the answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.”
In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down:
Whether bacon is safe for dogs
The health risks of feeding bacon (especially long-term)
How fat, salt, and preservatives impact canine health
Breed- and health-specific considerations (e.g. pancreatitis, kidney disease)
Peer-reviewed research and veterinary insights
A healthy bacon-style dog treat recipe
Let’s break down the science — and the sizzling myths — about bacon in your dog’s bowl.
Is Bacon Safe for Dogs?
Technically, yes — small amounts of cooked, unseasoned bacon aren’t toxic to dogs. But the keyword here is small amounts. Bacon is incredibly high in:
Saturated fat
Salt (sodium)
Preservatives like nitrates and nitrites
Even occasional feeding can cause digestive issues, and repeated exposure may contribute to chronic health problems such as pancreatitis, obesity, heart disease, or kidney stress. Remember, just because your dog CAN eat something doesn’t mean they SHOULD.
Why Bacon Can Be Harmful to Dogs
High Fat Content
Bacon contains up to 42% fat, much of which is saturated. While dogs do require fat in their diets, too much can be dangerous, especially for breeds prone to pancreatitis (e.g. Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels).
Pancreatitis in Dogs
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, often triggered by high-fat foods like bacon. A study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice (Watson, 2015) found that dietary indiscretion (like bacon ingestion) is a common trigger for pancreatitis in dogs, leading to vomiting, pain, lethargy, and even death in severe cases.
Reference:
Watson, P. J. (2015). Pancreatitis in dogs and cats: definitions and pathophysiology. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 56(1), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.12283
High Sodium Levels
A single rasher of bacon can contain over 200mg of sodium. Dogs require far less sodium than humans. According to the National Research Council, a 15kg adult dog only needs about 200mg of sodium per day — the amount in just one slice of bacon.
Excess sodium intake can lead to:
Dehydration
High blood pressure
Kidney strain
Electrolyte imbalances
At-risk dogs include those with:
Heart disease (e.g. mitral valve disease)
Kidney disease (CKD)
Liver dysfunction
Senior or overweight dogs
Reference:
National Research Council (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. The National Academies Press.
Preservatives: Nitrates & Nitrites
Bacon is cured with sodium nitrite and nitrate, which prevent spoilage but have been linked to cancer risks in humans and oxidative stress in dogs. A study published in Toxics (Reyes et al., 2017) found that nitrite exposure can negatively affect oxidative status and red blood cells in animals.
While a slice won’t harm your dog acutely, regular exposure adds up.
Reference:
Reyes, J. G., et al. (2017). Toxic Effects of Nitrite and Nitrate in Dogs. Toxics, 5(3), 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics5030017
When Bacon Might Be Especially Dangerous
Dogs with the following conditions should avoid bacon completely:
ConditionReason to Avoid BaconPancreatitisHigh fat triggers flare-upsKidney Disease (CKD)Excess salt causes further renal stressHeart DiseaseSodium worsens hypertension and fluid retentionLiver DiseaseFat and additives burden the liverObesityCalorie-dense treat contributing to weight gainAllergies/IBDBacon may aggravate sensitive stomachs
What If My Dog Ate Bacon?
If your dog grabbed a slice or two off your plate, don’t panic. Most dogs will be fine after eating a small amount. However, watch for symptoms over the next 24 hours:
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Excessive thirst or urination
Lethargy
Belly pain or restlessness
If your dog shows signs of distress or you know they’re prone to pancreatitis or CKD, contact your vet.
Can Dogs Eat Bacon Bits, Grease or Raw Bacon?
Type Safe Reason
Raw Bacon ❌ No Risk of parasites (e.g. Trichinella), bacteria
Bacon Grease ❌ No Pure fat, risk of GI upset and pancreatitis
Bacon Bits (processed) ❌ No Often contain MSG, high salt, preservatives
Turkey Bacon ⚠️ Rarely Still high in sodium and nitrates
Dog-safe Bacon Alternatives ✅ Yes See recipe below
A Dog-Safe Bacon Alternative Recipe
This easy recipe mimics the taste and texture of bacon using pork loin or tempeh — with none of the harmful salt, fat, or preservatives.
Dog-Friendly “Bacon” Treats (Pork or Plant-Based)
Option 1: Pork-Based
Ingredients:
200g pork loin (lean, fat trimmed)
1.2 tsp of turmeric (optional, for aroma only — not hot!)
1 tsp beetroot powder (for natural color)
1 tbsp olive oil
Method:
Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F).
Slice pork into thin strips (~0.5cm).
Toss in turmeric, beetroot powder, and oil.
Bake on parchment paper for 20–25 minutes until slightly crisp.
Cool completely and store in fridge for up to 5 days.
Option 2: Plant-Based (Tempeh)
Ingredients:
100g temp
½ tsp beetroot powder
½ tsp nutritional yeast
1 tbsp olive oil
Method:
Slice tempeh into bacon-style strips.
Marinate in the above ingredients for 15–30 mins.
Bake at 160°C for 15–20 minutes until edges crisp.
Cool and store in an airtight container for 3 days.
Feeding Tip:
Use as a treat or crumbled over meals — no more than 10% of daily calories. For a 15kg adult dog (~600 kcal/day), that’s a max of ~60 kcal from treats.
So... Can Dogs Eat Bacon? Final Verdict
Can they? Technically, yes — occasionally and in small amounts.
Should they? Not really — especially if they’re prone to pancreatitis, obesity, kidney or heart issues.
There are far healthier, safer, and just-as-tasty alternatives.
If you want to treat your dog, skip the sizzling strip and try our dog-safe recipe instead.
Need More Help Understanding Dog-Safe Foods?
If you’ve ever asked, “Can my dog eat that?” — you’re not alone. That’s why I created my expert e-book:
📘 “Can My Dog Eat That?” – The Ultimate Guide to Dog-Safe Foods
✔️ 100 common foods explained
✔️ What’s safe, what’s risky, and what’s toxic
✔️ Includes 4 healthy treat recipes
✔️ Instant download, just £5.99
Peer-Reviewed Studies & References
Watson, P. J. (2015). Pancreatitis in dogs and cats: definitions and pathophysiology. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 56(1), 3–12. DOI link
National Research Council. (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. The National Academies Press.
Reyes, J. G., et al. (2017). Toxic Effects of Nitrite and Nitrate in Dogs. Toxics, 5(3), 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics5030017
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