Can Dogs Eat Hush Puppies? [Healthy or Dangerous?]

Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.

Are you a dog owner who loves southern comfort food?

Do you ever wonder if you can share your side dish with your furry best friend?

Well, can dogs eat hush puppies?

As much as we love indulging in this delicious deep-fried treat, we also have to consider the safety and health of our four-legged companions.

So, let’s dig in and find out if hush puppies are a safe and healthy option for our pups!

What Are Hush Puppies?

That was my first thought when another fur-parent asked me if his doggy can eat hush puppies.

But after a little research here and there, I found out hush puppies aren’t actually made of puppies (LOL, obviously!).

Hush puppies are round deep-fried savory dishes made from cornmeal, flour, and eggs.

They have a golden brown color with crisp edges but delicate and soft interiors.

Hush puppies are usually served as a side dish for vegetables and other fried dishes as well. 

How were they called “hush puppies”?

Well, legend has it that some soldiers were preparing some food and their dogs were barking nonstop.

The soldiers were scared that their enemies would find them because of the barking.

So these soldiers throw some fried cornmeal cakes at their dogs in an attempt to quiet them. 

And they all yelled “HUSH PUPPIES!”

No one knows for sure whether the dogs had safely eaten those very first batches of hush puppies though!

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Nutritional value of hush puppies

Hush puppies contain about 319 calories per 100 grams, which is quite a lot if you ask me.

It’s also abundant in fat and sodium with 2 grams of saturated fat, and 560 milligrams of salt. 

Plus, the total carbohydrates of 100 grams of hush puppies is 43 grams.

What Are the Dangers of Dogs Eating Hush Puppies?

Although there is no immediate harm to your dog if it eats hush puppies, I can’t deny the fact that these snacks aren’t at the top of my list to feed a dog.

Dogs can eat them from time to time but never with a second or large serving.

Lots of calories and fat

Hush puppies may not contain any toxic ingredients BUT they are high in calories and fat.

They are deep-fried and made of high-fat content ingredients.

So you can only imagine how much calories and fat your dog will be getting from a single serving of this dish.

Your dog’s digestive system isn’t compatible with deep-fried dishes, so it’ll surely have issues with his gastrointestinal tract if he keeps eating high-calorie food.

Excessive oil and sodium

Minimal intake of food with oil and sodium is never a bad thing.

However, hush puppies are cooked with excessive oil and sodium which are not good for your doggy.

At first, too much oil will merely cause dehydration in your dog, but over time, it’ll develop kidney issues if it keeps eating such food.

May cause allergies

Most hush puppy recipes use dairy, eggs, and wheat that dogs are prone to be allergic to.

If you keep feeding your doggy hush puppies, he may develop allergies.

You’ll notice how your dog keeps itching until his skin becomes irritated when that happens.

Create digestive issues

Hush puppies are deep-fried, which means they are bathed in oil with high-fat content.

The fat in the oil can cause digestive issues for your dog.

It’ll be gassy, or worse he’ll experience diarrhea.

And I gotta tell you, diarrhea can escalate quickly to dehydration.

Result in pancreatitis and bloating

High-fat foods are the most common cause of pancreatitis. 

When your dog’s pancreas is filled with fat, chances are there that it will be inflamed which can lead to diarrhea and vomiting with constant abdominal pain. 

High-fat foods also contribute to your dog’s bloating especially when the fat in hush puppies isn’t digested fully.

Become overweight

Fat and carbohydrates in one dish? That’s the complete recipe for being overweight.

If you let your dog indulge himself in servings after servings of hush puppies, the fat and carbs in them will add weight to his body.

And NO, this isn’t a wise trick in helping your dog become chunky because it’s very unhealthy.

You can make your dog bulk up by feeding him healthy food instead.

Cause lethargy

The calories, fat, and carbs in hush puppies can make your dog lethargic.

When he becomes too full from such a greasy dish, he’ll most likely choose to lie down and sleep.

He’ll have no energy to play or be active because he’s too full of unhealthy fat in his body.

Doggy says, you might be keen to read this too: Can Takis kill dogs?

Safe Alternatives to Hush Puppies

Vegetables

If you wanna keep your dog healthy but chunky, give him plenty of vegetables with a balanced amount of nutritious content.

You can feed your doggy with carrots since they are very low in calories but rich in fiber. 

Your dog will surely enjoy its firm but somewhat chewy texture.

Sweet potatoes, broccoli, and spinach are also great vegetable options for your doggy since they are low in calories but rich in vitamin C and fiber.

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Fruits

Instead of serving your dog with hush puppies, you can instead give him fruits like bananas, apples, and even pineapples!

Bananas are a good source of fiber and vitamin C that’ll keep your dog energetic and active!

Apples with their seeds taken out are also a good alternative for treats with their crunchy texture. 

Dog food and treats

What’s better to feed your dog but with food that’s specifically designed for them?

We as dog parents need to fulfill our dog’s daily nutritional needs by feeding them a balanced diet, occasionally supplemented by healthy dog treats made for them!

What to Do if Your Dog Overeats Hush Puppies?

You need to monitor your dog for signs of diarrhea if he overeats hush puppies.

If you notice severe signs of vomiting or diarrhea, it’s best to take him to the vet.

Limiting your dog’s food intake without feeding him anything for a couple of hours can also help his digestive system a chance to rest.

And to avoid dehydration caused by the high amount of sodium in hush puppies, keep your dog hydrated with clean water!

Why Do Some Dog Owners Feed Hush Puppies to Their Dogs?

Some dog owners feed hush puppies to their dogs because they aren’t well-informed about the danger the dish can pose to their fur babies.

Others might also feed their dogs hush puppies because they simply love sharing human food with their doggies.

How to Make Hush Puppies Safe for Dogs?

If you’re planning to make hush puppies that are safer for dogs, you gotta lessen the amount of oil by using plant-based cooking oil.

It’s also best to find substitutes for dairy products to avoid gastrointestinal tract issues for dogs.

A Healthy Hush Puppy Recipe for Dogs

A healthy hush puppy recipe for dogs means lesser oil, calorie, and salt.

Here is a great recipe that your dog exactly needs!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. Then combine the applesauce, water, and egg with the dry ingredients, and mix.
3. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, form the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Let the hush puppies cool completely before giving them to your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Hush Puppies?

While hush puppies can be a tasty indulgence for humans, they should only be given to dogs in very tiny amounts, or better yet, not at all!

It’s tempting to give in to those pleading eyes but trust me, there are lots of tastier and healthier treat options you can give your dog.

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