Can Dogs Eat Sausages?A Nutritional Breakdown, Treat Guidance, and a Homemade Sausage Recipe for Dogs
Wondering if dogs can eat sausages? Discover the health risks of processed meats, how to use sausage as a treat responsibly, and learn how to make a healthy dog-friendly sausage at home. Expert advice from a canine nutritionist.
Sausages are a popular staple in many households. They’re tasty, convenient, and hard to resist—especially for your dog. But while those puppy-dog eyes might tempt you into sharing a bite of your breakfast banger, it's important to understand what sausages are made of, how they affect your dog’s health, and how to safely incorporate them (if at all) into their diet.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
Whether sausages are safe for dogs
Common ingredients and potential risks
Why sausages shouldn’t be used as regular treats
Portion control, calories, and fat content
A vet-approved, homemade dog-friendly sausage recipe
Let’s get into it.
What Are Sausages Made Of?
Sausages vary widely in ingredients depending on region, brand, and type. However, most commercial sausages typically contain:
High-fat meat (pork, beef, or a mix)
Salt and preservatives
Spices like onion, garlic, paprika, or nutmeg
Starches or rusk (bread-based filler)
Artificial flavours or smoke enhancers
Why This Matters for Dogs:
Many of these ingredients, while safe for humans, can be harmful or even toxic to dogs.
Garlic and onion, whether fresh or powdered, are known to cause hemolytic anaemia in dogs.
Excess sodium can contribute to dehydration, high blood pressure, and kidney strain.
High-fat content can trigger pancreatitis, especially in predisposed breeds (like Miniature Schnauzers or Cocker Spaniels).
Are Sausages Safe for Dogs?
In a Word: No (At Least, Not Regularly)
Feeding your dog processed sausage—even as a treat—can quickly become problematic. Here's why:
1. Too High in Fat
Most sausages contain between 20–30g of fat per 100g. That’s far too high for dogs, especially when used regularly. Excessive fat increases the risk of obesity, digestive upset, and acute pancreatitis.
2. Too High in Salt
The typical sodium content of pork sausages can exceed 800–1,000mg per 100g. That’s over 20 times the safe daily limit for a 10kg dog (FEDIAF recommends a sodium intake of 200mg per 1,000kcal).
3. Calorific Overload
Sausages are energy-dense. A single 50g sausage could contain up to 200 calories—almost half the daily allowance for a small dog.
For reference:
A 5kg adult neutered dog needs around 300–350 kcal/day
A 25kg adult neutered dog needs around 1,100–1,200 kcal/day
Giving even half a sausage could throw off a dog’s calorie intake, leading to weight gain.
4. Hidden Ingredients
Commercial sausages often contain added flavour enhancers, smoke flavourings, thickeners, and colourants that serve no nutritional benefit and could irritate your dog’s GI tract or immune system.
Sausage as a Dog Treat: What’s the Problem?
While it's tempting to use a bit of sausage as a high-value training treat, here’s what to keep in mind:
Risk of Overfeeding
Sausages are rich, salty, and often irresistible to dogs—which makes it easy to overuse them. This can lead to:
Upset stomach
Loose stools or vomiting
Picky eating (dogs may begin to reject their regular food)
Obesity and behavioural issues linked to excessive rewards
Nutritional Imbalance
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. With sausages being so calorie dense, it’s incredibly easy to exceed this limit.
Example:
A 10kg dog needs around 550 kcal/day. 10% = 55 kcal
Half a sausage = ~100 kcal = nearly 20% of their allowance from just one treat.
Occasional Use: How to Minimise Risk
If you must use sausage as a treat:
Choose the leanest, lowest-sodium variety possible
Cut into pea-sized training portions
Use only for high-stakes training, not daily rewards
Freeze in small batches to limit temptation
Balance the rest of your dog’s daily diet to accommodate the extra calories
But ideally—use healthier alternatives, or better yet—make your own!
A Healthier Alternative: Homemade Dog Sausages
Making sausages specifically for your dog allows you to:
Control the fat and sodium content
Avoid harmful additives
Incorporate functional ingredients (e.g. fibre, omega-3s)
Use them as both treats or meal toppers
Recipe: Dog-Friendly Turkey & Oat Sausages
Yield: Approx. 12 sausages
Storage: Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for 2 months
Ingredients:
400g lean turkey mince (ideally 5% fat or less)
1 medium carrot, finely grated
1 egg
50g rolled oats
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (for fibre and omega-3s)
1 tsp dried parsley (optional, supports digestion)
1 tsp cold-pressed rapeseed oil or hemp seed oil
1 tsp finely ground eggshell powder (for calcium)
A pinch of turmeric or ginger (optional anti-inflammatory boost)
Water as needed for texture
Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C (fan) / 200°C (conventional).
In a large bowl, combine turkey, oats, egg, grated carrot, flaxseed, herbs, oil, and eggshell powder.
Mix thoroughly by hand or use a food processor for a finer texture until well combined.
If the mixture is too dry, add a tablespoon or two of water.
Shape into small sausage links or roll into meatball-sized portions.
Place on a lined baking tray and bake for 18–20 minutes until fully cooked and golden.
Cool completely before feeding or storing.
Nutritional Notes:
Turkey: Lean protein source rich in B vitamins and selenium
Oats & carrot: Provide gentle fibre, beta carotene, and sustained energy
Flaxseed: Natural source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), supporting skin, coat, and brain health
Eggshell: Excellent calcium source to support skeletal health (especially if used as a topper for a meal)
Healthier Treat Swaps
If your dog loves the taste and smell of sausage but you want better alternatives, consider:
Freeze-dried liver (rich in iron, but use in moderation)
Commercial high value treats formulated for dogs
Boiled skinless chicken breast (low fat and high reward)
Cooked fish (like white fish or salmon pieces)
Dehydrated homemade meat treats (using a dehydrator or low-temp oven)
These all offer high-value, nutrient-dense options without the salt and additives.
Final Thoughts: Should Dogs Eat Sausages?
Sausages are not ideal for dogs. While they may be tolerated in very small amounts on occasion, their high fat, salt, and additive content make them a poor choice as a regular treat.
If you want to offer your dog something special:
Stick to small portions
Choose unseasoned, plain sausage if store-bought
Make your own dog-safe version using lean meats and functional ingredients
Your dog’s long-term health is built on daily nutritional choices. Occasional indulgence? Fine. But regular sausage treats? Not worth the risk.
Key Takeaways
✅ Processed sausages are high in fat, salt, and additives—making them unsuitable for regular use
✅ Even small portions can disrupt calorie balance and digestive health
✅ Homemade dog sausages offer a safer, tailored treat option
✅ Treats should never exceed 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake
✅ Prioritise nutrient-dense, low-fat alternatives for training and rewards
Additional Resources
The Canine Dietitian offers one-on-one consults and tailored nutrition plans to support dogs and their owners Join The Canine Code for exclusive recipes, mini lessons, and supplement guidance tailored to your dog.
If you need personalised advice regarding your dog’s diet or health, feel free to reach out to The Canine Dietitian at www.thecaninedietitian.co.uk. Or click here for a FREE diet assessment. We’re here to help ensure your dog gets the best nutrition possible!
References:
FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs (2021)
Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Official Publication (2023)
Pancreatitis in Dogs – Clinical Overview, VetCompendium (2022)
Sodium Requirements for Dogs – NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (2006)
Buffington, C.A.T. “Effects of dietary components on canine health,” Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2008
Need help tailoring your dog’s diet or treats to support their unique needs?
📩 Get in touch with Sally Barker – The Canine Dietitian. Because every dog deserves better than a sausage.
