Are cold cuts bad for dogs?

Deli meats and liverwurst are highly processed and often contain preservatives, sodium, and other additives that can be harmful to pets. They also go through various handling stages where contamination can occur, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses like listeriosis. Dogs and cats, like humans, can suffer from listeriosis after consuming contaminated foods, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and even death in severe cases. Avoid feeding deli meats and processed foods — As tempting as it may be to share your sandwich with your dog or cat, it's safest to avoid feeding them any deli meats or liverwurst. Raw game that is freshly killed has a lower risk of containing harmful pathogens, as long as it's handled properly. Processed meats like deli slices and liverwurst can become contaminated during the production process, posing a higher risk to pets. If your pet does consume deli meats or liverwurst and begins showing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or neurological signs, seek veterinary care immediately. While sharing a piece of deli meat might seem harmless, the risks of foodborne illness, particularly from recent listeria outbreaks, are too great to ignore. By being mindful of what we feed our pets and choosing safer alternatives, we can help ensure they live long, healthy lives.

Ideally, lunch meats are a bad choice for dogs and should be avoided. It can be safe in smaller amounts, but processed meats contain high sodium and a variety of harmful addicted like nitrates that could cause health problems for your dog. The problem isn’t the meat itself – it’s the extras that go into it. Nitrates, sodium, spices, and other preservatives make lunch meat different from the wild game your dog’s ancestors would have eaten. Preservatives and additives must be considered here. Unfortunately, the consumption of nitrates and nitrites is linked to cancer. Dogs can eat lunch meat in moderation, but you must weigh the pros and cons.