Black pudding is a type of blood sausage that originates from the United Kingdom and Ireland and is known to some as blood pudding. Its primary ingredient is pork blood, mixed with pork fat and cereals such as oatmeal, barley groats, or oat groats.
Can dogs eat black pudding? The simple answer is yes; they are safe for dogs. However, it should be noted that blood products such as black pudding may carry Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or more commonly known as ‘Mad Cow Disease.’ So long as you source your black pudding from a reputable and high-quality supplier, it will be safe for your canine friend.
Is Pudding Bad for Dogs?
Pudding is a very general term; as such, it would depend on what kind of pudding you plan on feeding your dog. Throughout the world, the term pudding denotes a sweet dessert. However, for the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries (former territories of the British Empire), pudding can either be a savory or a dessert dish.
Savory Puddings
Before the existence of the more commonly known sweet desserts, the term pudding was used to describe savory dishes which were made through a process similar to that of sausages — ingredients (mostly in liquid form) were encased, then boiled or steam to set the contents.
Among the most famous savory pudding is the topic of this article, black pudding. This kind of pudding was King Henry VII’s favorite. Other savory puddings include haggis, suet pudding, and steak and kidney pudding. Due to a pudding’s mostly meat-based content, they are safer to feed to dogs compared to their sweet counterparts.
Dessert Puddings
These are rich and homogenous dairy or starch-based desserts. In countries like Canada and the United States, pudding denotes a milk-based dessert which is often similar to mousse or egg-based custards.
Due to the sweet nature of these desserts, it is not recommended to feed them to dogs. Their high sugar content may harm a dog’s dental and overall health in the long run.
Checking the Ingredients Inside Puddings
Puddings are also categorized into how they are made — baked, steamed, and boiled or creamy. The vast selection of puddings makes it challenging to give a general answer as to whether puddings are bad for dogs or not. It ultimately boils down to knowing which type of basic ingredients are toxic for dogs and knowing the ingredients used in the kind of pudding you consider feeding your dog.
Aside from high-sugar content puddings, chocolate puddings and Christmas puddings should also be refrained from being fed to dogs due to chocolate and raisins’ inclusion, respectively.
What Foods Should Never Be Given to Dogs?
According to the WebMD Pet Health Center, these are some of the foods that should not be given to dogs due to the presence of toxic or harmful ingredients. The list has been medically reviewed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
- Xylitol – Toothpaste, bubble gum, candies, baked goods, and even some diet foods are artificially sweetened by xylitol. This chemical will harm a dog by dropping its blood sugar. Symptoms of xylitol ingestion include lethargy, vomiting, and coordination problems. Seizures may eventually occur and lead to liver failure a few days after ingestion.
- Avocado – This green, pear-shaped fruit contains a fungicidal toxin called Persin. While this is not harmful to humans unless they are allergic to it, dogs may get diarrhea from ingesting too much. The toxin also resides within the leaves, seed, and bark of the Avocado plant. As such, it is advisable to keep your dogs away from the plant if you have any at home. The fruit’s seed may also get stuck in the canine’s intestinal tract or stomach, which may prove to be fatal.
- Alcohol – It has the same effect on the liver and brain of dogs. However, it takes a much smaller amount to inflict harm to canines. It will cause diarrhea, vomiting, loss of coordination, breathing problems and may even lead to coma or death. The smaller the dog, the more lethal it will be.
- Onions and Garlic – Whether raw, cooked, powdered or even dehydrated, you should keep these away from your dogs. All parts of these plants — flesh, juice, and leaves are toxic to canines. They are known to kill the red blood cells of dogs which may cause anemia. Keep in mind that some baby foods also contain onion powder and should also be kept away from dogs. Signs of ingestion include vomiting, weakness, and breathing problems.
- Coffee, Tea, and Other Caffeine – Caffeine and products that contain it are fatal to dogs. Aside from the liquid, the beans and grounds are also toxic to them. Products such as cocoa, chocolates, cola, and even energy drinks should not be given to dogs.
- Grapes and Raisins – Although research has not yet determined the exact substance which harms the dog, it is best to avoid feeding these fruits and other products which contain traces of the fruit to your dogs. Ingestion of these may cause kidney failure for dogs.
- Macadamia Nuts – These have high-fat content that is known to irritate a dog’s stomach. They are highly toxic to dogs and will cause symptoms such as muscle shakes, high temperature, vomiting, as well as weakness in their hind legs.
- Chocolate – What makes chocolates toxic to dogs is the presence of Theobromine. It is a bitter alkaloid found within cacao plants and affects dogs’ central nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. The substance exists in all kinds of chocolates, including white chocolate. Ingestion will cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures and may even lead to heart problems or even death.
- Raw Meat and Fish – These may contain bacteria that will inflict food poisoning on dogs. For raw fish, parasites may even be present, bringing what is known as “salmon poisoning disease” or “fish disease” to your dogs. Although these diseases can be treated, it is imperative to seek medical attention for your dogs if they ingest these. Common signs of ingestion are fever, vomiting, and enlarged lymph nodes.
