We’ve all been there.
After a long night (and often early morning), partying and enjoying ourselves with friends, many of us will turn to the sweet, and at the time heavenly, comfort of the post-night-out takeaway.
These days, UK high streets are filled with all kinds of cheap, unhealthy yet delicious takeaway options that often top off many a British night out. From pizza to chicken wings and chips to burgers, one of the most popular choices among late-night revellers is the doner kebab.
Typically consisting of doner meat, vegetables and sauce stuffed into bread or a wrap, doner kebabs are regularly enjoyed by people on the way home from a night out and even the next day acting as something of a hangover cure.
But while us humans can enjoy them safely, can dogs eat doner meat?
As every dog owner will know, anything that contains meat is likely to pique the interest of our canine friends, but should we allow our pooches to indulge in a bit of doner meat or two as we enjoy our kebab?
In this article, we’ll address the question of ‘can dogs eat doner meat?‘ – Read on to find out more.
What Is Doner Meat?
It is believed that doner kebabs originated in Turkey, and doner meat is the type of meat used inside the dish.
In fact, its origins stretch back to the 18th century, and there are conflicting stories regarding how it was introduced into society. One story goes that a local cook created it by cooking meat on a vertical rotisserie, before slicing it up and serving it inside a pitta bread.
Conversely, the other story states that Ottoman soldiers created it by wrapping lamb skewers in bread to make them easier to eat when riding horses.
Whatever the truth, what we do know for sure is that the dish soon gained popularity across the world.
Now, the sight of a rotating spit with doner meat attached is commonplace in takeaway restaurants throughout the UK, with people frequently enjoying the dish. Doner meat is usually lamb or beef that is seasoned with the likes of cumin, coriander and paprika.
Shavings are then removed from the main stack of meat and added to bread alongside vegetables, onions and sauce (commonly garlic).
What Is A Dog’s Diet?
So, can dogs eat doner meat?
Well, to help us answer that question it’s worth understanding what your dog’s diet should include.
- Kibble – This is an essential aspect of every dog’s diet. Kibble is dried dog food that typically contains meat, vegetables and grains which are dried and shaped into pellets. They offer a whole host of nutritional goodness that can keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Often, kibble alone is enough to maintain your dog’s diet, but there are a number of fresh food alternatives you can serve alongside.
- Meat – As every dog owner knows, they love meat. Fresh meats like chicken, beef, pork and more are all suitable for your dog. You may think that dogs can eat meat raw. While dogs do have far stronger stomachs than humans, it’s always recommended that you only feed them cooked meat. This is to minimsie the risk of illnesses like listeria, salmonella, E. coli and more.
- Vegetables – Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can also eat vegetables. They might not be as excited about eating veggies compared to meat, but they are suitable for them to consume and make a nice treat now and again.
- Water – It’s absolutely vital that your dog has a good supply of water in its diet. Dehydration can be extremely dangerous, so access to clean, fresh water at all times is essential.
- Rice – It might seem odd, but dogs can actually eat rice quite happily. It’s not unusual to see rice in commercial pet food, and it’s actually quite common to see owners feed rice to their dogs if it’s unwell. This is because rice can be digested very easily and won’t cause a stomach upset.
Now we’ve provided you with a thorough understanding of what a dog’s diet should involve, let’s answer the question of whether dogs can eat doner meat.
Can Dogs Eat Doner Meat?
If you have some leftover kebab or you simply want to be generous to your pooch and allow it to sample a bit, the good news is that dogs can eat doner meat safely.
But it’s important to note that doner meat isn’t exactly the healthiest.
It contains fat, salt, spices and oils that can have adverse effects on your dog’s health so be sure not to feed it too much.
Make sure to remove any bones or skewers before giving your dog some doner meat, and if you have prior knowledge that the meat has been cooked in any additional oils or spices that could upset your pet’s stomach it may be best to avoid it altogether.
What Are The Risks Of Dogs Eating Doner Meat?
Due to its unhealthy nature, there are a few risks of allowing your dog to eat doner meat.
Excessive oil and fats could cause your dog to experience pancreatitis. This is a serious condition that causes a dog’s pancreas to become inflamed. Typical symptoms of pancreatitis include vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. If you notice that your dog is suffering from any of these symptoms, you should take it to a vet immediately.
As well as this, the high quantities of fats, salts and spices could upset your dog’s stomach or cause anemia – a condition that impacts red blood cells. The most common signs of anemia in your dog may include a loss of colour in its gums, or if it seems more tired and lethargic than usual. Again, consult a vet if you’re concerned.
These potential health conditions are why you should always only feed your dog small quantities of doner meat.
The Risks for Dogs of the Rest of the Kebab
Now you know that, under the right circumstances, doner meat is safe for dogs to eat, you might be wondering ‘can dogs eat a kebab?’
After all, meat is just one component of a kebab and it’s worthwhile knowing what else in the dish is and isn’t safe for your dog.
While it should be ok with the kebab’s vegetables, do not feed your dog any onions or garlic. These ingredients can be harmful to dogs and should be avoided.
