Gyro meat is typically made from ground meats, including lamb, beef, and pork, with a variety of seasonings. While these meats in unprocessed form should technically be fine as long as your dog doesn’t have food allergies, once processed into gyros, they may cause loose stools and potentially some vomiting.
Further, the seasonings that are used are of even greater concern. This is especially true if the seasoning includes garlic because garlic is toxic to dogs and even a small amount can make a dog ill. If your dog has taken a bite out of a kebab that includes onion as well as garlic, this makes the problem even more pronounced. Therefore, feeding gyro meat to dogs is not recommended.
What Is Gyro Meat?
Gyro is a traditional Greek dish. It generally consists of ground meats cooked on a rotisserie spit and is served in pitta bread with salad and tzatziki. It is a staple in Greek restaurants and in the country itself, and it is surprisingly easy to make at home, yourself.
Can Dogs Eat Gyro Meat?
Lamb and beef are core components of many gyros. However, once processed into gyro meat, they can be very fatty, and can cause gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases, other concerns such as pancreatitis may occur.
Gyro Seasonings
The seasoning in gyros can also cause problems for dogs. For a start, salt is usually used to bring out the flavors of the ingredients, and dogs should not consume excessive amounts of salt.
Garlic is another major concern. Garlic is toxic to dogs and cats. The thiosulfate in garlic can damage red blood cells in dogs, ultimately resulting in anemia. Although a small amount of garlic is unlikely to be a problem, you should avoid giving any garlic to your dog. If yours has eaten meat that contains garlic, consult your vet and get their opinion on the next best steps.
Gyro Salad
Most salad items are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, but onion is a member of the allium family, just like garlic. It, too, contains thiosulfates, and if your kebab contains garlic in the gyro meat as well as onion in the salad, the combination can quickly add up to a lot of potential problems!
Gyro Bread
Pita bread is a flatbread that is common in Mediterranean cuisine. You need to check for any additives and extra ingredients because some pita bread may include garlic. Pita bread is also high in carbohydrates.
The 5 Human Foods Your Dog Can Eat Instead of Gyros
Your dog can thrive on a healthy diet of good quality dog food, but it is nice to give the occasional treat. There are some foods that humans eat and that are considered good for dogs, or at least that aren’t considered dangerous or toxic. Below are five foods you can feed your dog as a treat.
1. Carrots
Carrots are actually good for dogs. They contain vitamin A, which promotes a healthy coat and helps improve a dog’s immune system. Many dogs also like the crunchy texture of carrots, although you should make sure that the vegetable is cut into bite-sized chunks or slices, so your dog doesn’t choke. Carrots are naturally quite sweet which will be appealing to a lot of dogs while the crunch can also help promote good dental hygiene.
2. Rice
White rice can be good for dogs, especially if they are having an upset stomach. It is very easy to digest, and the rice can help solidify runny stools. This combination makes it a good choice for dogs with upset stomachs and it is often fed with plain chicken for poorly dogs that can’t stomach anything richer.
3. Chicken
Chicken is another good option for dogs that have upset stomachs. In these cases, it should be boiled and plain, ensuring it is easy to digest and that there’s no additional oil from the cooking process. Chicken can also be fed as part of a meal because it is a good source of protein, and most dogs can stomach chicken even if they struggle with richer meats.
4. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a surprisingly good treat option for dogs. It contains vitamins B and E, niacin, and protein. Many dogs like its sticky consistency, too, which also means that it can be used to keep biscuits and other hard treats in place in treat toys and treat dispensers. However, you must never give peanut butters that contain salt, sugar, or, worst of all, artificial sweeteners like xylitol.
5. Apples
Apples are another good source of vitamins A and C. They’re also juicy and moist, which makes them popular and helps ensure your dog stays hydrated. Do not feed the pips, however, as these contain cyanide. The levels are not considered dangerous to people but because dogs are smaller, the amounts in apple pips can be more dangerous.
Conclusion
Dogs are our best friends. They share our homes and provide us with companionship and friendship. As part of our roles as caretakers, we need to ensure they are well-fed and receive proper nutrition.
Dogs should avoid gyro meat, as it too often contains extra seasoning and flavoring, especially garlic and onions. Similarly, if your dog has eaten gyro from your plate, and the salad contains onion or the tzatziki dressing contains garlic, this can lead to other concerns. So, in the end, it’s best to avoid gyros and their meat, when it comes to our canine companions.
Featured Image Credit: rawf8, Shutterstock
