Is Eating Dog Food Safe For Humans? What Happens When You Eat It?

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Some people may be wondering if eating dog food is a safe and viable option, but is this really the case?

Can You Eat Dog Food?

Dog food is not meant and designed to be eaten by humans. It also does not adhere to the production standards that work for human food.

However, consuming minimal amounts of dog food is unlikely to result in any significant harm.

In most cases, dog food consists of a mix of animal byproducts, soybeans, grains, minerals, and vitamins. This is necessary in order for pet dogs to have a nutritionally balanced diet.

The animal byproducts that are frequently included in commercially prepared dog food include ground bones, meat scraps, organs, skin, and animal parts that are damaged and deemed unfit for humans to eat.

While most people may find these ingredients unappetizing, they are actually not dangerous to eat as long as they have been properly cooked, processed, and stored.

However, the vitamin types that are included in dog food could pose health risks. There are certain dog food varieties that have a synthetic vitamin JK form called vitamin K3 or menadione. While this is safe for canines, this could be toxic for humans if consumed in high doses.

Commercial dog food tends to contain low menadione amounts. However, long-term and regular human consumption is still not advisable.

ALSO READ: Human Food Can Be Easier for Dogs to Eat and Digest, Recent Study Shows

Nutritional Needs Are Different

Though humans can eat dog food, eating it as part of one's regular diet on a long-term basis is not recommended.

The nutritional needs of humans are different from dogs. Dog food does not contain all the necessary nutrients for human health.

This is true in the case of vitamin C, for instance. This vitamin is essential and is good for human immune function and skin health. Because humans cannot produce vitamin C, it must be gotten from food.

However, for dogs, they can actually make the vitamin in their liver. This makes it unnecessary for vitamin C to be included in their food.

Risk of Foodborne Diseases

There are also other risks that come with eating dog food, especially with regards to food safety. Like human food, it is possible for dog food to be contaminated with pathogens that can make one feel ill.

Proper handling and storage of dog food is crucial to ensure that it is safe to eat.

There are also certain dog foods that are fully raw. It is not advisable for humans to eat meat that is undercooked or raw. This is regardless of whether the food is intended for human or dog consumption.

Eating undercooked or raw meat has been associated with harmful infections, such as that of Listeria, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. The symptoms of infections could be mild to severe. These may include intestinal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

While fully cooked dog food could be safer compared to raw food, the food could still make a person feel sick. This is due to how it could have been contaminated with dangerous bacteria while it was undergoing processing.

If contamination is picked up, dog food could end up recalled from the market. It is crucial to stay updated regarding these recalls in order to avoid accidental exposure.

Children Have a Greater Risk

The risks are also higher for children due to how their immune systems have not been developed fully. Hence, it is not advisable for children to eat dog food.

The dog food could also be a choking hazard for young children. This is especially the case for dry kibble, which small children may find difficult to safely chew and swallow.

If a child accidentally eats dog food, it is important to contact their pediatrician or to reach out to the local poison control authority to know more about what to do to keep the child safe.