Hamburgers are an American classic, and often, irresistible. Unless you are a vegetarian or vegan, that is!
But even if you are, your dog certainly isn’t! And when they smell a hamburger, you know they would love a bite alongside you.
So, you may be wondering, can dogs eat hamburgers?
In this article, you’ll find out whether it’s safe for dogs to eat hamburgers. You’ll also learn about whether this popular food has health benefits and/or if it has harmful effects on canines.
Can Dogs Eat Hamburgers?
The short answer is maybe. Dogs might be able to safely eat hamburgers. And, in general, hamburgers are an okay food choice for dogs.
However, they may also be harmful. If you’re confused, read on so you know the details about when hamburgers are okay for dogs and when they should be avoided.
Hamburgers Benefits to Dogs
Hamburgers primarily are okay for dogs. Hamburger patties are meat, and, after all, dogs require a high protein diet.
In fact, many sources say that meat should account for at least ⅔ of dogs’ diets. Protein is an essential nutrient that can contribute to muscle development and tissue repair. And you can also use lean meat to make hamburgers. This makes it less fatty for both you and your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Hamburger Toppings?
Yes, for the most part, the common hamburger toppings are packed with healthy vitamins. A common example of this is lettuce. And lettuce has its fair share of health benefits.
It is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Beta-carotene, and Fiber. Let’s take a look at each benefit here:
- Vitamin A can help prevent medical conditions caused by irregular blood sugar levels.
- Vitamin C is great for strengthening a dog’s immune system as well as their bones.
- Vitamin K is great for developing blood vessels as well as regenerating skin and creative tissue.
- Beta-carotene helps against inflammation.
- Fiber helps in solving a dog’s digestive problems. Foods rich in fiber, such as lettuce, can help against bowel movement problems.
Tomatoes can also be eaten in moderation by dogs.
However, not all parts of hamburgers are healthy and suitable for dogs.
Precautions Against Feeding Hamburger to Dogs
Hamburger patties can be quite fatty, especially if you are not using lean meats (this indicates that per 100g there is a maximum amount of fats, and cholesterol which vary between meat types).
Another thing to watch out for is that hamburgers may have onions as an ingredient. Which could be really bad. Hamburger patties that have onions added to them can be toxic to dogs. To read more on dogs and onions check out our article, “Can Dogs Eat Onions?”.
It also has salt and spices if you choose to place them on your burger. We have mentioned before that seasonings can be harmful and unhealthy, if not toxic, to your dog. For example, some hamburgers may contain garlic powder or onion powder, which can make dogs sick.
Salt is always bad for dogs. At the very least, salt can cause kidney problems for your dogs. Worse, it can cause salt poisoning.
Although some ingredients are not toxic, they are not exactly what your dog’s body needs. These ingredients may include:
And there you have it! Next time you want to share a burger with your dog, we recommend ensuring that it is free of yellow and red zone ingredients, and if possible, stick to lean meats.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?“
In the next article on our series, find out Can Dogs Eat Jicama?
