These spicy meals wrapped in corn husks are super tasty – but can dogs eat tamales? It could be dangerous for dogs, so keep reading to learn more about dogs and tamales.
As a dog lover, you are really careful with your pup’s health concerns. So, it’s only natural that you want to know whether it’s a good idea to give your dog tamales. The short answer is that most of the ingredients of tamales won’t agree with your furry friend. Keep reading to learn how safe or unsafe they are.
For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating tamales.
What Are Tamales
Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made with masa dough (basically corn dough). This dough is usually steamed in corn husks or a large piece of a banana leaf.
The filling is made with various ingredients and there are a bunch of different ways to make them. It’s usually filled with some kind of meat – ground beef, chicken, or pork – and then the meat is covered in a red sauce spiced with chili peppers.
Most tamale recipes are spiced with either onions or onion powder. No matter how different the recipes are, one thing this Mexican delicacy has in common is that the main ingredient is corn.
How To Eat Tamales
If you eat traditional tamales, you’re supposed to unwrap them from the corn husks or banana leaves before you eat them. Then, you can use the corn husks as a plate.
Do You Eat The Corn Husk On Tamales
No, you aren’t supposed to eat the corn husks. You’re supposed to unwrap them and eat the spicy tamale mix that is cooked inside of them.
Can Dogs Eat Tamales
Pet owners, it’s very important that you do not share this delicious treat with your dog. There are a lot of ingredients that aren’t good for your dog’s stomach. Your dog’s diet should be composed of mostly meat and dog-safe vegetables and a few carbs.
Just like other types of spicy foods, large quantities of tamales could lead to several different health issues, including abdominal pain and diarrhea.
In general, large amounts of Mexican cuisine are generally not a good idea for dogs. Not only are the hot peppers dangerous, but the garlic and onions in tamales could damage your dog’s red blood cells.
Can Dogs Eat Corn Husk
What about the corn husk? The short answer is that a tamale corn husk is not a safe treat for dogs.
Even small quantities or pieces of corn husk could be a choking hazard for some dogs. A dog’s digestive system isn’t able to digest the fibrous corn husks. If your dog happens to eat small pieces of corn husk, they might get an upset stomach, so keep an eye on them.
Is Salsa Bad For Dogs
Since some tamales are served with salsa on the side, it’s important to answer this question too. Onion is a common ingredient in both traditional dishes – salsa and tamales.
And when you take a closer look, you’ll realize that both salsa and tamales have harmful ingredients (for dogs) in them.
Dogs should never eat onions or garlic because they could lead to serious health problems – from digestive issues to anemia.
Are Tamales Bad For Dogs
Yes, tamales are bad for dogs.
Toxic ingredients such as onions and garlic, belong to the allium family. Dogs that eat too much onion or garlic could get a condition known as hemolytic anemia. With this form of anemia, the red blood cells are destroyed and dogs will act weak or lethargic.
The potential risks include:
- Upset stomach
- Choking hazard
- Salt toxicity
- Anemia
Are Tamales Good For Dogs
No, tamales are not good for dogs. Even small amounts of homemade tamales are bad for your dog’s health. There is no nutritional value of tamales for dogs. Even though the ingredients in corn masa recipes are basically safe for dogs, corn flour is also not a healthy food item for our canine friends to consume.
This is because corn is a source of calories without health benefits – these are often referred to as empty calories. They contribute to unhealthy weight issues in dogs.
There are better options for dogs to eat than food made with corn.
Can Dogs Eat Masa From Tamalaes
Even as an occasional treat, masa dough is not healthy for dogs to eat. Also called masa harina, is too high in calories and carbs for dogs to eat.
Dogs that eat too many calories are at a higher risk of unhealthy weight gain, diabetes, and heart issues.
My Dog Ate A Corn Husk
If your dog ate a tamale husk, they will probably be ok.
Your best option is to watch your dog for signs of salt toxicity or stomach upset. If your pup is acting really sick or lethargic, call your veterinarian.
Types Of Tamales and Dogs
Now, let’s look at a few of the most common types of tamales and whether you should give even a small portion to your dog as an occasional treat.
Can Dogs Eat Corn Tamales
No, dogs should not eat this traditional Mexican food. Not only does it have too much salt, but the onions and spicy peppers are bad for your dog too.
Can Dogs Eat Chicken Tamales
No, dogs should not eat chicken tamales. If you want to give your dog chicken, there are better options – like dog-safe meat cake.
Can Dogs Eat Hot Tamales Candy
Ok, they aren’t a tamale – but they have the same name. No, dogs should never eat the spicy candy. Dogs should never eat candy for humans because it’s bad for their teeth and could lead to unhealthy weight.
Final Thoughts
As a dog parent, you should remember that there are no benefits of feeding tamales to your dog. In fact, the potential danger outweighs any potential health benefits.
If you want to share Mexican food with your dog, the best thing you can do is make them a dog-safe version of your food. Dog owners, always remember that whenever you introduce new foods to your dog, it’s a good idea to only give them a small amount and see how they respond to it.
There are better human foods that are safe for dogs – sweet potatoes, peanut butter, and even homemade granola for dogs.
Dogs should be getting their essential nutrients from their dog food. If you want to share doggy versions of your food, make sure it is made without unhealthy ingredients.
More Dog Food Resources
Here are some more articles about human food and meat dogs can and can’t eat:
- Can Dogs Eat Anchovies
- Can Dogs Eat Catfish
- Can Dogs Eat Cockles
- Can Dogs Eat Crawfish
- Can Dogs Eat Ham Bones
- Can Dogs Eat Lamb
- Can Dogs Eat Rib Bones
Find lots of articles on food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!
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