Do you appreciate a good pastrami sandwich? Is your dog begging for some pastrami? If that's the case, you're not alone! Dogs typically want whatever we're eating. But can dogs eat pastrami?

Although pastrami is typically unsuitable for dogs, a small amount should be OK. Your dog's size and breed are crucial factors to consider. Smaller breeds can't eat as much food as larger dog breeds without experiencing negative consequences. 

Pastrami includes a lot of salt, nitrates, and fats, all of which are harmful to a dog's health and cause a variety of health problems. If you want to give your dog a small piece of pastrami as a treat every once in while, your dog should be fine. Just make sure not to turn it into a habit or give too much to your dog.

How is Pastrami made?

Pastrami is a smoked, cured, brined meat that may be found at delis and supermarkets.  Pastrami is produced from beef and is frequently seasoned with the following ingredients:

• Garlic
• Cloves
• Allspice
• Mustard seed
• Paprika
• Coriander
• Black pepper

Pastrami is brined before it is smoked, giving it a very high salt content that is not good for either humans or dogs. Dogs are also particularly sensitive to sodium and can be poisoned if they consume too much. Salt toxicity can cause kidney stones, dehydration, and other health problems.

Other ingredients used in pastrami may cause intestinal distress in your dog if consumed in large amounts.

My Dog Ate Pastrami - What Should I Do?

If your dog consumes too much pastrami, they may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Excessive thirst
• Excessive drooling
• Frequent urination
• Lethargy
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Call your veterinarian right away if your dog exhibits any of these symptoms after eating pastrami. The veterinarian will examine your dog and may prescribe blood tests and other lab work, as well as an x-ray of his stomach. Treatment will be based on your veterinarian's findings.

Review: Can Dogs Eat Pastrami?

Pastrami, like most other processed meats, is not good for your dogs health and might result in unpleasant side effects if they consume too much of it. It is your responsibility as a dog owner to keep your dog safe.

Your canine companion will eat anything, so it's up to you to exercise discipline in what you feed him. A small piece of pastrami every once in a while should be fine for your dog, but keep in mind that "small" is relative to the size of your dog. What is "small" to a 120 pound dog is "large" to a 10 pound dog.

If your dog ate some pastrami and is showing signs and symptoms of intestinal distress, get expert assistance by contacting your veterinarian as soon as possible.