Slim Jims are a type of meat jerky that hit the spot for many who are looking for a salty snack.
Well, except for vegetarians! Since these “meat sticks” are made of beef, pork and “mechanically separated chicken” according to the packaging.
But nevertheless, these snacks have been popular for about a century now.
Because of their meaty flavor and chewy texture, you may think Slim Jims would be a good treat for dogs. But are they?
Can dogs eat Slim Jims? Or, better yet, should they? In this article, you will learn about whether or not Slim Jims are a safe food for your doggos. And you’ll also get an overview of any health benefits and/or harmful effects eating a Slim Jim can have on our dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Slim Jims?
The short answer is no! Dogs should absolutely not eat Slim Jims. Slim Jims are a very bad food choice for dogs.
There are many types of foods that are not good for dogs, such as grapes, bones, and chocolate. And Slim Jims is definitely on this list of foods your dog should avoid.
Slim Jims is bad food for our furry pooches. They are considered to be an unhealthy food for our dogs.
Why Slim Jims Are Bad for Dogs
It is true that meat can be a good food for dogs and that Slim Jims does have meat in them. However, Slim Jims contain processed meat, which is not necessarily natural.
Because they contain processed meat, they contain less protein and more fat compared to natural meat like, say, beef jerky. Quite bluntly, the meat in Slim Jims is considered to be the bottom-of-the-barrel quality type of meat.
Slim Jims are high in fat which can lead to a lot of health problems like obesity (in dogs AND humans!). Breakfast Slim Jims are about 50 percent fat.
Not only is the high-fat content in Slim Jims a concern for dogs, but the snack also contains high levels of sodium (salt).
And salt is always bad for dogs. It can cause salt poisoning. To add to that, some Slim Jims may also have a lot of seasonings. This is especially true for flavored Slim Jims.
We have mentioned before that seasonings can be bad and unhealthy, if not toxic, to your dog. For example, some Slim Jims may contain paprika.
If your dog got a hold of your Slim Jims and ate some, watch out for these symptoms:
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
While there are other types of Slim Jims, they are not healthy foods for our dogs either.
All this said, a little bit of a Slim Jim here and there as a very rare treat likely won’t cause your dog too many problems. Slim Jims can be given to dogs once in a blue moon, and they should only be given in very small amounts.
If you are also out of foods rich in protein, a small amount of Slim Jims for just a day is also not that harmful. Protein is an essential nutrient that can contribute to muscle development and tissue repair.
But you’re much better off getting meat sticks that are made for dogs. They should be healthier and have the potential to cause much fewer bad health problems than Slim Jims.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is a part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
