Meat · updated 2026-09-12
Can dogs eat ham?
Not recommended — too salty and fatty.
Why
Ham is cured with a lot of salt and often sugar and nitrates; it's also fatty. A tiny sliver once won't hurt a healthy dog, but it's a pancreatitis and salt risk and there's nothing in it your dog needs.
What to do instead
Skip it, or at most a fingernail-sized piece on a special occasion. Never ham bones.
Symptoms to watch for
Excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhoea; pancreatitis; splintered bone injuries.
If your dog has eaten ham, don't wait for symptoms.
Call your vet, or in the US the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661), 24 hours a day. Have the amount, the time and any packaging ready.
And for cats?
Avoid. Too salty for cats. Can cats eat ham? →
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This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs, based on published veterinary guidance (ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, AKC, VCA). It is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your dog's weight, age and medical history. If you are unsure, ask them before sharing any human food.