Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Corned Beef? No — It's Too Salty and Fatty
No, corned beef is not a good food for dogs. It is beef brisket cured in heavy salt brine with spices, and VCA Animal Hospitals notes that a single piece can contain more salt than a dog should have in several days. It is also fatty, which can upset the stomach. A bite that falls on the floor is unlikely to cause serious harm, but here is why to skip it and what to do on St. Patrick's Day.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read3 sources
Why corned beef is a poor choice for dogs
Corned beef is made by curing brisket for days in a brine of salt, sugar, curing salts and spices such as peppercorns, mustard seed, coriander and bay. VCA Animal Hospitals warns that a single piece can contain over 3,000 milligrams of sodium, plus preservatives and spices that can make a dog sick.
Brisket is also a fatty cut. VCA notes that the high fat content of corned beef can cause gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis. The ASPCA advises against processed and cured meats for pets in general because of their salt, and recommends sticking to lean, plain cooked meat instead.
What to do if your dog ate corned beef
If your dog ate a small piece, make sure plenty of fresh water is available and watch for vomiting, diarrhea or unusual thirst over the next day. Most dogs will be fine. Do not make your dog vomit at home.
Call your vet if your dog ate a large portion or a whole plate, especially a dog under 20 lb, or if it ate the spice packet, onions cooked with the meat, or the bones. If onion or a lot of salt was involved, you can also call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.
If you like to share small snacks, a lick mat or a treat ball makes a little go further and slows a fast eater down.
Signs to watch for and when to call a vet
Signs of too much salt usually start within a few hours: heavy thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea and drooling. More serious signs include weakness, a wobbly walk, tremors, confusion or seizures, which need an emergency clinic now.
A rich, fatty meal can also cause problems a day or two later. Call your vet the same day for repeated vomiting, a hunched posture or painful belly, refusal to eat, or lethargy after your dog got into corned beef or other fatty holiday leftovers.
St. Patrick's Day food safety
St. Patrick's Day brings a cluster of risks besides corned beef. VCA lists cabbage, which can cause gas and stomach upset; Irish soda bread, which often contains raisins or currants that are highly toxic to dogs, along with high-fat buttermilk; and beer, since even small amounts of alcohol can make dogs very sick.
Keep plates and glasses off low tables, confine your dog to a quiet room during big gatherings, and secure the trash can after dinner. Shamrock plants can cause drooling and vomiting, and small decorations such as beads and coins can be swallowed. If your dog drinks beer or eats soda bread with raisins, call your vet or a poison line right away.
Corned beef hash, Reubens and deli meat
Canned corned beef and corned beef hash are just as salty, and hash adds fried potato and often onion. A Reuben sandwich piles corned beef with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on rye, a combination of salt, fat and possibly onion that is best kept away from dogs.
Pastrami, salami, ham and other deli meats share the same problem of cured salt and fat. Keep them out of the treat jar, and be careful with leftover sandwiches in lunch bags and on the counter.
Safer treats for holiday dinners
You can still include your dog in the meal. VCA suggests plain cooked green beans, carrots or sweet potatoes as safer St. Patrick's Day options, and the ASPCA lists small amounts of lean, plain cooked beef, chicken or turkey with no bones or seasoning.
Set aside your dog's portion before any salt, butter or spice goes on, cut it into bite-size pieces, and keep it within about 10 percent of your dog's daily calories. Puppies are better off with their usual treats only.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can dogs eat corned beef and cabbage?
Neither is a good idea. Corned beef is very salty and fatty, and cabbage often causes gas and stomach upset. A small bite is unlikely to cause serious harm, but call your vet if your dog ate a large plateful.
Can dogs eat canned corned beef?
No. Canned corned beef is just as heavily salted and processed as fresh corned beef and can be fattier. If your dog ate some, provide water and watch for vomiting, diarrhea or extreme thirst.
Can dogs eat corned beef hash?
It is best not to share it. Corned beef hash combines salty cured beef with fried potatoes and often onion, which is toxic to dogs. Call your vet if your dog ate a portion containing onion.
How much salt is too much for a dog?
There is no simple home rule, because it depends on your dog's size and health. Small dogs reach a dangerous level much faster. If your dog ate a very salty food in quantity, call your vet or a poison control line for advice.
Can dogs eat plain brisket?
Plain brisket that has not been cured, with the fat trimmed and no seasoning, rub or sauce, is safer in small cooked pieces. Barbecue brisket with rubs and sauces is not, because of salt, sugar and garlic or onion.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
