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Can Dogs Eat Black Pudding?

September 22, 2023
5 min read
September 22, 2023
5 min read
Black pudding in a bowl
In This Article

A lot of us love the British and Irish delicacy that is black pudding. Made with a blend of fat, blood and oatmeal, black pudding sounds like it could be suitable to feed our furry friends – but can dogs eat black pudding?
We’ve got a handy guide on whether dogs can eat black pudding below. Take a look!

What is black pudding made from?

Black pudding is made from pork or beef fat and blood, and a mixture of grains and flavourings. Some black pudding may not be safe for your dog to consume; for example, a lot of black pudding contains onion which is toxic to dogs.

Can dogs eat black pudding?

It’s best to avoid feeding your dog black pudding, as it typically contains onions which are toxic to dogs. It may also contain other toxic ingredients like garlic.

Unlike some toxins (e.g., grapes), onion and garlic toxicity is dose dependent. This means a very small amount of black pudding is not be ideal, but it’s unlikely to cause significant harm. However, toxicity from feeding black pudding is certainly possible, especially in smaller dogs or those with an underlying health condition.

Can dogs eat raw black pudding?

Almost all black pudding contains onions, but if you’ve found (or made) some that doesn’t, your dog can eat it straight from the packet. Black pudding is cooked during manufacturing so your dog eating it ‘raw’ isn’t a problem.

Is black pudding bad for dogs?

In addition to possible onion and garlic toxicity, black pudding can give your dog an upset stomach. It’s high in fat, which can cause diarrhoea or even pancreatitis. Black pudding is also high in salt, which could be harmful to dogs with underlying health issues.

Grains, like oatmeal, are another core component of black pudding. For most dogs, grains are a great source of nutrients but if your dog is sensitive to grains, again, it’s best to avoid black pudding.

Is black pudding good for dogs?

Black pudding contains meat derivatives, like pork or beef blood and fat, and grains, like oatmeal, all of which are good for dogs in moderation. However, while the protein and grains may be good for your dog, too much fat can negatively affect your dog’s digestion so it’s best avoided. 

How do I feed black pudding to my dog?

Before feeding any product, always make sure to check the label for unsafe ingredients; unfortunately, this rules out feeding most black pudding to your dog. If you’re having a cooked breakfast and want to share some with your pooch, consider giving them a cooked egg rather than black pudding; eggs are packed with nutrients and can be a healthy treat. 

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a high value treat, consider feeding small amounts of black pudding made specifically for dogs without any toxic ingredients.

What should I do if my dog eats black pudding?

If your dog does eat black pudding, a very small amount is unlikely to cause them severe harm; however, it’s best to check with your vet. If your dog has eaten a large amount, they may recommend inducing vomiting to prevent toxicity.

If your vet advises you to monitor them for clinical signs (symptoms), look out for vomiting in dogs, diarrhoea, lethargy, panting and excessive salivation; these can indicate pancreatitis or onion/garlic toxicity. Signs could start a few hours or days after they eat it.


We hope this answer to ‘Can dogs eat black pudding?’ was helpful! We have a whole range of guides on what dogs can eat – make sure to take a look. Of course, we also like to share other special meals with our dogs, so see if dogs can eat Christmas dinner next.