If you witnessed or strongly suspect your pet ingested a large amount of ham, this is considered an “ORANGE” – or urgent case – on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend calling ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for help determining if your pet consumed a toxic amount and for guidance on what to do next. If veterinary care is advised, call your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital ahead of your arrival.
The holiday season is upon us, and many of us are gearing up for festive family gatherings! Amid all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to overlook how the holidays can provide more opportunities for pets to eat things they shouldn’t. One of the most irresistible indulgences? The holiday ham!
While it might be hard to resist your dog’s pleading puppy eyes, it’s crucial for pet parents to keep pets on their regular diet. Read on to learn why sharing that savory slice of ham with your dog isn’t the best idea!
1. Pancreatitis
The first concern with your pet eating ham is that it is high in fat compared to many other meats and standard dog foods. The high level of fat can result in pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, which can lead to:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Abdominal Pain
Signs of pancreatitis can occur anywhere from hours to days after eating high-fat food.
2. Sodium Poisoning
Ham is not only high in fat, but also notoriously contains high levels of salt. This very salty treat can lead your pet to experience:
- Excessive water intake
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
If your pet eats a large quantity of ham, it may also cause:
- Muscle weakness
- Seizures
- High blood pressure
- Worsening of existing heart disease
Signs of salt toxicity often appear within hours of your pet consuming salty food, as their body works to process the salt absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and into the bloodstream.
What to Do if Your Pet Eats Ham
If your pet has eaten a small amount of ham (a couple of bites), it is fine to monitor for signs of pancreatitis or salt toxicity carefully over the next few hours to days. If signs do develop, visit your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital right away.
If your pet has eaten a large amount of ham, they should be seen at your local animal emergency hospital right away to try to mitigate the symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment for eating a large amount of ham will vary, depending on how long ago your pet consumed the ham and how much they ate. Here are the most common treatment options:
- If a large amount of ham was eaten within the last 1-2 hours, the veterinarian may elect to induce vomiting to reduce the risk of salt toxicity and pancreatitis.
- If your pet consumed a large amount of ham several hours ago, inducing vomiting may no longer be effective. Instead, the veterinarian might run bloodwork to evaluate the salt levels in your pet’s blood. Based on the results, treatment could involve hospitalization with IV fluids to dilute the salt in the bloodstream or outpatient care with fluids administered under the skin and medications to control nausea.
- Sodium poisoning: The prognosis varies based on the amount consumed and pre-existing health concerns in the pet.
- Treatment consists of managing nausea and diarrhea supportively, as well as resolving the level of salt in the bloodstream with calculated IV fluid therapies over many hours.
- Pancreatitis: This condition can range from mild to severe, and in rare cases, it can be fatal.
- Treatment for pancreatitis focuses on supportive care, including hydration, pain management, nausea relief, a bland diet, and medications to address diarrhea.
While it might seem harmless to sneak a bit of ham into your pet’s bowl, the safest choice is to stick to their regular diet and avoid giving them any additional food or treats. To prevent mishaps, keep holiday foods, including ham, out of your pet’s reach, and never leave these foods unattended in areas where your pet can access them. It’s also a good idea to keep your pets out of the kitchen and dining areas during meals. Let’s keep the season merry and bright by keeping the holiday ham off Fido’s menu!
If your pet needs veterinary care this holiday season, our Oakdale Urgent Care is open 2 PM–10 PM, seven days a week, and our Oakdale and St. Paul ERs are open 24/7, every day. Remember to always call ahead!
More Reading:
- Pancreatitis in Pets: What Pet Owners Need to Know
- Common Christmas Pet Dangers
- 4 Potential Kwanzaa Pet Dangers
- Thanksgiving Feast: What Can I Share with My Pets? What Shouldn’t I Share?
- 10 Most Common Human Foods That Are Toxic to Pets
