Can Dogs Eat Meatballs?

\While your dog probably wants to have some of your meatball when you are eating, it is probably not the best idea. Meatballs are often high in fat and salt, both of which are not good for your dog.

Additionally, while the main ingredient, meat, is safe for your dog, there are a lot of other ingredients in meatballs are not good for dogs, and some may even be toxic Common ingredients in meatballs are meat, bread crumbs, cheese, egg, onion, black pepper, garlic, and salt.

Let’s take a look at the individual ingredients and whether or not they are safe for dogs. Can my dog eat these ingredients?

Ingredients in Meatballs that Dogs can/cannot Eat

1. Meat

Yes, Your dog is probably a big fan of any type of meat. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can eat a diet made up of both meat and plants, but a lot of dogs prefer meat.

It is safe for your dog to eat lean meats that are well cooked. Before giving your dog meat from your plate, make sure to remove all visible fat, including the skin, and removing any bones because they could be dangerous for your pooch

2. Bread Crumbs

Yes Dogs can safely eat bread, or bread crumbs, in moderation. Plain white bread or wheat bread is safe for your dog as long as they do not have any known allergies.

A little bit of bread every now and then is an okay snack for your dog, but it does not have any nutrients that your dog needs and it contains a lot of carbs.

3. Cheese

Yes, Cheese is safe for dogs in small amounts. Low-fat cheeses, like mozzarella or cottage cheese, is the best type of cheese to feed your dog.

If your dog eats a lot of cheese, especially cheese that is high in fat, they are a higher risk of developing obesity or pancreatitis, which is a serious condition.

Another thing to look out for is lactose intolerance. Some dogs are lactose intolerant and may show signs of stomach upset when eating cheese or other dairy products.

4. Eggs

Yes, Eggs are a great source of protein and have a lot of nutrients that your dog needs. They also contain amino acids and fatty acids. Eggs can be fed to your dog as a snack, dietary supplement, or even help with upset stomachs.

Talk to your veterinarian about how many eggs a day your dog should eat, because overfeeding your dog eggs can lead to health problems and obesity.

5. Onion

No All parts of the onion (flesh, leaves, juice) and in all forms (raw, cooked, powdered) is toxic to your dog. Onions contain n-propyl disulfide, a compound that breaks down the body’s red blood cells, leading to compromised well-being of your pet.

6. Black Pepper

Yes, Small amounts of black pepper are safe for your dog, but larger amounts can are not recommended for your dog.

7. Garlic

No Garlic is a member of the allium family like onions and like onions, garlic is also toxic for dogs. The amount of thiosulfate causes damage to the red blood cells which can lead to anemia in dogs. If your dog is showing any signs of anemia or garlic toxicity, contact your veterinarian immediately.

8. Salt

Maybe Dogs, like us, need sodium to balance the electrolytes in our bodies, but most types of dog food has small amounts of salt in it already so they do not need any more salt in their diets. Excess amounts of salt can lead to salt poisoning which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and dehydration.

Dog-Friendly Meatball Recipe

Ingredients

• pound ground beef
• a cup of cooked brown rice
• 1 carrot (shredded)
• 1 stalk of celery (finely chopped)
• cup spinach (finely chopped)
• 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese
• 1 large egg

Directions

1.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and grease a muffin pan.
2. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
3. Put about ¼ cup of the mixture into each muffin tin.
4. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked.
5. Let cool completely before giving to your dog

Bottom Line

If you want to share meatballs with your dog, it is best to make them their own instead of giving them the kind we like to eat. This recipe is adapted from Rachael Ray and is safe for your dog to eat.