Can Dogs Eat Pork?

Lindsay Boyers
By

Lindsay Boyers

. Reviewed by Molly Price, DVM
Updated Mar. 10, 2025
can dogs eat pork: dog staring at a plate of prosciutto

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NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new foods, especially “people foods.” What might be OK for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet unless your veterinarian tells you it’s fine to do so.

You’re whipping up pork chops for dinner, and your pup stares at you with a sparkle of hope in their eyes—but can dogs eat pork, too? The answer depends on how it’s prepared.

Cooked, plain pork can be safe for dogs in moderation, but processed or seasoned pork products may pose health risks.

From potential digestive issues to concerns about fat content, seasoning, and parasites if pork is undercooked, understanding the dos and don’ts of feeding pork to your pup is essential.

Can Dogs Have Pork?

Yes, dogs can have pork in moderation. There are some things you’ll want to consider before feeding it to your pup, though:

  • The pork must be fully cooked and unseasoned.

  • Only serve leaner cuts of pork, like tenderloin or pork loin chops—and cut off any excess fat.

  • Remove the meat from the bone.

Give them an appropriate serving for their size (guidelines below).

Can Dogs Have Pork Bones?

While dogs can eat pork meat, they should not have pork bones.

Pork bones are brittle (especially if cooked) and can splinter in your dog’s mouth or digestive tract, causing punctures, damage to the cheeks or gums, or other serious health concerns.

Raw pork bones are more durable than cooked bones, but they can be too hard for your dog’s teeth and contribute to dental problems, like cracked teeth.

Pork bones may also be too small for your dog, cause damage to the delicate tissues of your dog’s mouth and gums, and pose a choking hazard.

Is Pork Good for Dogs?

Pork does have some nutritional benefits for dogs, including:

  • It’s a high-quality protein. Pork is a complete protein, which means it provides all the essential amino acids your dog needs. Protein is a necessary nutrient for dogs, as it promotes healthy growth and immune function.
  • It provides essential vitamins and minerals. In addition to protein, pork provides essential nutrients, like vitamins B6 and B12, potassium, and zinc. These nutrients work together to help your dog produce energy and keep their blood and brain healthy.

  • It can be a high-value treat. Dogs tend to find pork very tasty, so it can be a good tool for training sessions.

  • It’s easy to digest. Dogs’ digestive systems are great at digesting meat, and pork is no different. Compared to other types of food, pork is easy to digest and less likely to cause stomach upset, assuming you’re giving your dog a lean variety with the fat removed.

Is Pork Bad for Dogs?

Pork does come with some concerns. Most of these are related to how the pork is prepared, so it’s worth reiterating that you should only give your dog plain, unseasoned pork.

Here are some potential risks of giving your dog pork:

  • It carries parasites. Pork is known for carrying a parasite, Trichinella spiralis, a roundworm that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, appetite loss, and weight loss. This is more of a concern with raw or undercooked pork, so make sure you’re cooking pork thoroughly before giving it to your dog. The USDA recommends cooking ground pork patties and mixtures to 160 F (71.1 C) and pork steaks, chops, and roasts to 145 F (62.8 C).

  • Raw pork can cause other foodborne illness. Raw pork is also a potential source of Salmonella and Yersinia bacterial infections in dogs. Foodborne illnesses can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain and can pose a health risk to people.

  • It can be high in fat. Some cuts of pork, like pork shoulder and rib chops, are high in fat. Too much fat can contribute to pancreatitis in dogs. Stick to leaner cuts.

  • It can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Overfeeding your dog pork, especially fatty or processed cuts, can contribute to weight gain. Because of this, you want to make sure all treats, including pork, account for no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

  • It may be prepared with toxic ingredients. Table scraps likely contain seasonings like garlic and salt that can be toxic to your dog. Feed your dog only plain, unseasoned pork.

  • It can be too salty. Processed pork products like bacon and sausage typically contain lots of salt, in addition to other seasonings and flavorings. Too much salt can lead to dehydration and salt poisoning, which causes diarrhea, vomiting, and even death in severe cases. Only give your dog unprocessed pork to be safe.

How Much Pork Can Dogs Have?

Treats should be fed in moderation, making up no more than 10% of the total calories of your dog’s daily diet. The rest should come from a complete and well-balanced dog food.

If you’re feeding your dog pork for the first time, introduce it slowly to see how they react. If you notice symptoms like diarrhea or upset stomach, or any other changes in your dog, stop feeding them pork.

Stick to the recommended serving sizes listed below. For reference, a piece should measure about 1/2-inch long by 1/2-inch thick.

Pork Serving Sizes for Dogs
Dog SizeServing Size
Extra-small dogs (2–10 pounds)1 piece
Small dogs (11–20 pounds)1–2 pieces
Medium dogs (21–50 pounds)2–3 pieces
Large dogs (51–90 pounds)3–4 pieces
Extra-large dogs (91+ pounds)4–5 pieces

How To Safely Feed Pork to Dogs

When feeding your dog pork, you want to make sure it’s plain, unseasoned, and cut into bite-sized pieces that are appropriate for the size of your dog. Here are some ideas:

  • Chop plain cooked pork into small pieces, and give it to your dog as a treat.

  • Stuff a KONG Classic Dog Toy with kibble pieces and a couple of small pieces of pork (depending on your dog’s size) and let your dog enjoy.

  • Mix a couple pieces of pork into their regular meal or sprinkle some pork on top.

You can also opt for pork-flavored dog treats, like Tylee’s Pork Jerky Dog Treats, if you don’t want to prepare the pork yourself.

Can Dogs Eat Pork FAQs

Can dogs eat pork chops?

Dogs can eat a small amount of pork chops, as long as they’re thoroughly cooked and unseasoned. Remove the meat from the bone and cut into 1/2-inch-thick by 1/2-inch-long pieces before feeding it to your dog.

Can dogs have pork chop bones?

No, dogs should not have pork chop bones, especially if they’re cooked. Pork chop bones can break and splinter, which can lead to punctures in the mouth, gums, and gastrointestinal tract and intestinal obstruction.

Can dogs eat raw pork?

No, dogs should not eat raw pork. Always cook pork thoroughly before giving it to your dog.

Can dogs have pork rinds?

No, dogs can’t have pork rinds. Pork rinds are fried and tossed in salt, making them higher in fat and sodium than plain pork. High-fat, high-salt treats can cause stomach upset and may even lead to pancreatitis.


Lindsay Boyers

WRITTEN BY

Lindsay Boyers

Freelance Writer


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