Shih Tzu can eat ham, yes. But it should be in adequate quantities, as it is not the healthiest food for dogs. This is caused by high levels of fat and salt, which can cause health problems for your Shih Tzu. So, remember to use ham as an occasional treat and don’t go overboard with it.
Ham can be a fantastic treat for us, but it’s not a great idea to share it with our pets.
Here’s a couple more information to explain how a slab of this satisfying snack can affect a Shih Tzu.
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Can Shih Tzu eat cooked ham?
If you have some leftover cooked ham and you wish to spare a few bites for your Shih Tzu, go ahead and feed it some.
A few bites of cooked ham shouldn’t cause any issues, as long as it’s occasional.
Moreover, cooked ham is a much better option compared to raw ham. Since ham is processed meat, it is edible even for us, but it’s not ideal.
The same thing applies to all other meat. Many pet owners feed raw meat. Although some dogs can tolerate it, it still poses a danger of bacterial infection.
For this reason, if you wish to feed ham to your Shih Tzu, the cooked one is your best bet.
Still, it doesn’t mean you can feed as much ham as you want as long as you cook it first.
Ham contains too much sodium and fat. Thus, it can lead to digestive and other health issues if you give it regularly and in large amounts.
Further, this processed meat does not contain any nutritional value, so it would be best to serve it only as a treat.
You May Also Read – Can Shih Tzu eat cheese?
Is it OK for dogs to eat ham?
The effects of ham on Shih Tzu can happen pretty much the same as other dogs.
While there are dog breeds that can tolerate salty food to some extent, most of them are sensitive.
For this reason, ham, together with other salty food, should not be a part of their regular diet.
Even as a treat, you should only offer a few bites or tastes. Any more than that may compromise your pet’s health.
All kinds of dogs, and even other pets like cats, don’t need a lot of sodium. In fact, their health can even be in danger if they consume too much salty food.
Thus, if you own other pets aside from Shih Tzu, try your best to avoid feeding salty foods like ham to all your pets.
Doing so would save you and your pets from unwanted incidents.
Can Shih Tzu eat meat?
Yes, Shih Tzu can eat meat. It can be a great source of protein for these breeds.
If you wish to feed meat to your Shih Tzu, you should go for the fresh ones. The fresh root is always the best for your pets, no matter what kind it is.
Natural foods like chicken, lamb, turkey, fish, and even pork and beef are a few suitable types of meat you can offer.
You can even give the meat of a chicken’s organs such as the heart and the liver.
Avoid giving meat in their worst condition, such as old cuts of meat, and even the rotting ones. These kinds would be harmful, even in small amounts.
Protein that comes in meat is an excellent nutrient for your Shih Tzu, strengthening and building the muscles.
Aside from the meat, you can give eggs as part of its diet, since eggs are rich in protein.
While ham is meat, it contains a lot of fat, and it is too salty, so it’s not the best option when you want to give protein to your pet.
A reminder, though: always offer cooked meat and not the raw one.
Raw meat, as I said, may carry bacteria that can transfer to your pet. To avoid such an incident, always cook the meat you’ll give.
Related – Can Shih Tzu eat pork?
Can Shih Tzu eat ham and cheese?
Shih Tzus can eat both ham and cheese. However, they are not the kind of food you should give regularly, and in large servings.
Ham and cheese may be a good snack for us, and we can eat it in large amounts. For our Shih Tzus, though, it’s not a good thing.
Both ham and cheese are safe in small amounts, but they are not that valuable in a Shih Tzu’s diet.
Ham is too salty and has a lot of fat. Thus, overeating can compromise a Shih Tzu’s health, particularly on its digestion.
Cheese, on the other hand, can also be harmful if taken in large amounts. Cheese is a dairy product, and it contains lactose and can be very salty too.
Although dogs are less lactose intolerant than cats, too much dairy can still affect them.
For this reason, both ham and cheese should only be occasional treats. Whether you feed both together or separate, avoid giving it often.
What happens if your Shih Tzu eats too much ham?
Feeding too much ham to Shih Tzu can lead to undesirable effects. The high amount of salt in ham can cause excessive thirst, leading to excessive urination.
Feeding ham, even a single large amount, can induce vomiting and diarrhea.
It can also happen that your pet can’t tolerate it, leading to extreme cases. Such instances occur through seizures, kidney failure, coma, and even death.
For this reason, try to avoid feeding too much ham. If possible, don’t even give more than a couple of bites.
A taste should serve as enough treat for them. Also, don’t feed ham regularly.
If your pet takes in a lot of ham by accident, offer a lot of water and let it drink to ease up the sodium inside the body.
If it shows symptoms from eating ham and other salty food, consult a vet for immediate attention.
Summary
Ham can be quite a delightful treat for us, and so it can be tempting to share our delight with our pets.
Still, if you have a Shih Tzu or any other pet, you should be aware that they can eat it, but it’s not precisely good food for them.
Yes, Shih Tzu can eat ham, even other pork products, and different types of meat. But, you should avoid ham as much as you can since the salt it contains can take a toll on your pet.
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Image credits – Photos by Eduardo Gorghetto and Сергей Орловский on Unsplash
