When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Can Dogs Eat Pozole? (Mexican Pork and Hominy Stew)

If your family is a big fan of Mexican food, then you may sometimes eat a yummy bowl of pozole.

But should you share this Mexican pork and hominy stew with your dog?

No, you should not give your dog pozole.

Below we’ll go into more details on why pozole is bad for dogs.

Why Pozole Is Bad For Dogs

bowl of pozole
Credit: James, Flickr / CC 2.0

The problem with feeding your dog pozole is that this stew often has ingredients that may be bad or toxic for dogs.

For instance, if your pozole is made with onions and garlic, then it is definitely toxic for your dog.

All parts of all vegetables in the allium family (Onions, garlic, chives, leeks and shallots) are harmful to dogs whether raw, cooked or even dried and powdered. 

One medium-sized onion is enough to cause toxic effects in a 20 kilogram (44 pounds) dog.

Then there are the spicy peppers that you’ll find in a bowl of pozole.

Dogs can’t eat spicy foods.

And in some instances, spicy hot peppers are toxic to dogs.

Some recipes for pozole call for salsa as an ingredient, and you cannot feed your dog salsa.

While there are some things in pozole that are good for dogs, overall, this is not something you should ever let your dog eat.

At a minimum, pozole will make your dog sick and you may end up with vomit or diarrhea on your floors.

And, the worst case scenario is that your dog gets violently ill and you end up needing to take him to the local animal hospital.

How to Make Pozole : What is Pozole?

What About Hominy? Can Dogs Eat Hominy?

As you know, hominy is one of the main ingredients in pozole.

By itself, hominy is safe for dogs.

So, if you want to feed your dog some hominy instead of pozole, then go right ahead.

However, some dogs do have corn allergies, so keep an eye out the first time you feed your dog hominy to see if he has any bad reactions to it.

What If My Dog At Some Pozole?

Don’t panic if your dog managed to slurp up some pozole when you weren’t looking.

dog in mexican sombrero

The first thing you need to do is monitor your pup to determine what, if any, adverse effects your dog experiences.

This is important because you need to be able to recognize if you need to call your vet or take the dog to the local animal hospital.

Usually the first signs of a bad reaction to something eat by a dog are:

  • vomiting
  • loose and runny stools
  • lethargy
  • tremors
  • bloating
  • seizures

If you notice any out of the ordinary behavior from your dog, then you should call your vet or take him to the local animal hospital.

Final Word

Should you decide to give your dog pozole, it is advisable to be very cautious because pozole is not safe for dogs.

If your dog does eat some pozole, then you should consult with your local animal hospital and watch for signs of poisoning.

There are many safe choices in fresh fruits and vegetables to reach for instead. Your dog might want to munch on a radish or relish a cold kiwi.

Those kinds of snacks are nutritious and delicious. And much safer than a bowl of pozole for your doggo.

Sharing is caring!

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

National Canine Research Association of America