I must admit that even before I gave up eating meat, I couldn’t stomach the thought of trying black pudding. It’s an acquired taste, assuming that you’re willing to try it in the first place. I know meat-eaters that wouldn’t dream of trying it.
Black pudding won’t be familiar to some people. It’s not as common as other dogs’ eating inquiries on the internet like – Can dogs have grapeseed oil? And can dogs eat scrambled eggs with cheese?
Traditionally black pudding is made from dried pig’s blood (but it can also be made from beef). Also, it contains pork fat, oats and seasoning. It originates from the UK and Ireland and is a common accompaniment to a fully cooked breakfast or fry-up. You’ll usually see it added to the side of the plate having been boiled, fried or grilled. Black pudding is partially cooked during the manufacturing process, so it’s OK to eat straight from the packet. Given that cooking can decrease the number of vitamins in the food, it may not be ideal for owners dedicated to feeding their dogs a completely raw diet.
Many of us will often let our dogs steal something from our plate, but what about something like blood sausage? Can dogs eat black pudding?
Small amounts of black pudding in moderation will be acceptable for most dogs.
It’s high in iron, protein, zinc, potassium and calcium, but it’s also high in calories and fat. Black pudding will also have a high salt content which makes it unsuitable for dogs in large amounts. Different manufacturers will add various amounts of salt, so it’s always a good idea to check the ingredients.
If you decide to give your dog black pudding from your plate, then be mindful of how you’re cooking it. If you’ve fried it, you’ll also have to take account of the product you’ve cooked it in.
Some manufacturers will also add seasonings that may not be suitable for dogs. Some manufacturers will also add onions which are toxic to dogs in large doses.
You can buy black pudding sticks specifically for dogs as a training aid.
