Pig ears can be an occasional treat for some dogs, but they are not automatically safe or a good fit for every dog. The main concerns are Salmonella exposure, choking or swallowed pieces, and whether the treat fits the dog’s calorie and medical needs. If you choose to offer one, supervise your dog and follow careful hygiene practices.
Key takeaways
- Pig ears are optional treats, not nutritionally complete food or a necessity.
- FDA reported a 2019 outbreak investigation linked to pig-ear treats: 154 human cases across 34 states, 35 hospitalizations, and 27 illnesses among children younger than five — FDA, 2019. CDC considered the outbreak over on October 30, 2019.
- In April 2025, FDA posted a recall of one lot of Supercan Pig Ear Slivers after a sample tested positive for Salmonella. The notice reported no illnesses at that time.
- Pets may become ill or carry and pass Salmonella to people without appearing sick.
- Match any chew to your dog’s size and chewing style, supervise, and remove pieces that could be swallowed whole.
- WSAVA recommends that treats make up no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.
Why do dogs like pig ears?
Dogs may enjoy pig ears for their animal flavor and chewy texture. For some dogs, chewing can provide enrichment, but pig ears are not a proven treatment for boredom, anxiety, or dental disease.
Pig ears are not complete and balanced food. “Natural” describes an ingredient or marketing claim; it does not guarantee pathogen control, a particular fat level, or safe swallowing.
Are pig ears safe for dogs?
Pig ears can be an occasional treat for some dogs, but they are not risk-free. The decision depends on the dog’s health, diet, size, and chewing behavior, as well as the household’s ability to handle an animal-derived chew hygienically.
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Dogs that gulp or shred chews may be at greater risk of swallowing a piece. Households with small children or people at higher risk from infection should also weigh the potential for bacterial exposure.
Can pig ears give dogs Salmonella?
Contaminated pig-ear treats can expose dogs and people to Salmonella. FDA explains that pets may become ill or carry the bacteria and pass it to people without appearing sick. The bacteria can spread through contact with the treat, a pet, or surfaces the treat touched. FDA’s Salmonella safety guidance explains the risks of handling pet food and treats.
The 2019 outbreak investigation is historical, not ongoing. FDA reported 154 human cases across 34 states, 35 hospitalizations, and 27 illnesses among children younger than five — FDA, 2019. CDC considered the outbreak over on October 30, 2019. FDA and CDC later advised caution and hygiene for people who choose to feed pig ears, rather than continuing a blanket recommendation to avoid all pig ears. FDA’s 2019 outbreak investigation describes the investigation and its findings.
FDA’s concise warning is: “Salmonella can affect both human and animal health.” — U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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A separate FDA notice posted April 2, 2025, concerned a single lot of Supercan Pig Ear Slivers recalled after a sample tested positive for Salmonella. The notice reported no illnesses at the time. This lot-specific recall does not mean all pig ears were recalled or contaminated. Check FDA’s recall notice and current notices for product and lot details.
What are the risks of pig ears for dogs?
Choking and swallowed pieces
A chew that is too small for a dog can present a choking risk, and swallowed pieces can cause an obstruction. Risk depends on the individual dog and chew; pig ears should not be described as inevitably causing choking or splintering. Supervise your dog, choose an appropriately sized chew, and remove it when it becomes small enough to swallow whole. General AKC chew-selection guidance discusses size and swallowed-piece hazards.
Calories and dietary fit
Pig-ear size and composition vary, so a single calorie figure cannot be applied to every product. Check package information where available and count the chew among your dog’s daily treats. WSAVA recommends that treats provide no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories; treats should not replace complete and balanced food. WSAVA’s nutrition guidance also recommends veterinary advice for dogs with medical conditions, sensitivities, or prescribed diets.
Do not introduce a pig ear casually if your dog has a chronic illness, dietary sensitivity, or prescribed diet. Ask your veterinary team whether a particular treat fits your dog’s needs.
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Which dogs should avoid pig ears or ask a veterinarian first?
Ask your veterinarian before offering a pig ear if your dog has a chronic health condition, a dietary sensitivity, or a prescribed diet. Consider avoiding edible chews if your dog tends to gulp or shred treats, or if you cannot supervise the dog while chewing. Household members at greater risk from infection should also be considered when deciding whether an animal-derived chew is appropriate.
How should you give a dog a pig ear more safely?
These steps can reduce avoidable risks, but they cannot guarantee that a pig ear is safe.
- Choose an appropriate size. Match the chew to your dog’s size and chewing style.
- Use traceable packaging. Prefer a package that identifies the manufacturer and lot or batch, where available.
- Check current recalls. Search FDA notices for the product and lot. A “natural,” dried, or packaged claim is not proof that a product is pathogen-free.
- Supervise the dog. Watch whether your dog chews carefully, shreds the treat, or tries to gulp it.
- Remove the chew when needed. Take it away when it becomes small enough to swallow whole or your dog cannot manage it safely.
- Keep it away from children. Do not let small children handle the treat or approach a dog while it is chewing.
- Wash your hands and clean contacted areas. Wash hands after handling the treat, and clean bowls and surfaces the treat touched. FDA provides safe-handling guidance for pet food and treats.
- Prevent close contact afterward. Do not let the dog lick people or household surfaces after chewing.
- Count the treat toward daily calories. Include pig ears and other treats in the daily allowance.
What symptoms after a pig ear need a veterinarian?
Contact a veterinarian promptly if your dog has repeated vomiting or gagging, refuses food or water, becomes markedly lethargic, shows abdominal pain, or cannot pass stool after chewing. Choking or trouble breathing is an emergency. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian instructs you to do so.
Diarrhea, vomiting, or fever can also indicate illness. If someone in the household develops concerning symptoms after handling a potentially contaminated treat or an exposed pet, contact a medical professional.
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What can I give my dog instead of pig ears?
There is no universally best substitute. Choose according to your dog’s health, diet, size, and chewing style. Small portions of dog-safe fruit or vegetables can be lower-calorie rewards for many dogs. AKC describes tendon chews as lower in fat than pig ears, but any chew still needs appropriate sizing and supervision. For enrichment without an edible animal-derived chew, consider a size-appropriate durable toy; no toy is indestructible.
| Option | Potential fit | Limits and precautions |
|---|---|---|
| Pig ear | Edible chew for a dog that handles it carefully | Possible pathogen exposure, variable calories, and choking or obstruction risk from swallowed pieces; use hygiene and supervision |
| Dog-safe fruit or vegetables | Small rewards that may be lower in calories for many dogs | Check that each food is safe for dogs and count it toward daily treats |
| Tendon chew | Possible lower-fat chew category than pig ears, according to AKC | Not suitable for every dog; match size and supervise to reduce swallowed-piece risk |
| Durable chew toy | Reusable enrichment without an edible animal-derived treat | A dog may destroy and swallow pieces; inspect and supervise |
| Veterinarian-recommended option | May better fit a dog with a prescribed diet or health concern | Ask the veterinary team to assess the individual dog and product |
For lower-calorie treat ideas, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine’s treat guidance discusses suitable produce and the daily treat limit. For dogs with medical or dietary needs, ask your veterinarian before choosing a substitute.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Can dogs eat pig ears every day?
Pig ears are not a good everyday treat. WSAVA recommends that all treats together make up no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories, and pig ears also carry chewing and hygiene risks.
Can pig ears give dogs Salmonella?
Contaminated pig ears can expose dogs and people to Salmonella. FDA says pets may carry and pass the bacteria to people without appearing sick, so hygiene and current recall checks matter.
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Can pig ears cause a blockage?
Swallowed pieces of a chew can cause an obstruction. Supervise your dog, remove pieces that could be swallowed whole, and contact a veterinarian promptly if concerning symptoms follow chewing.
How do I know if a pig ear is contaminated?
You cannot determine whether a pig ear is contaminated by its appearance or a marketing claim. Check current FDA recall notices and lot information, and follow hygiene precautions when handling the treat.
What can I give my dog instead of a pig ear?
Depending on your dog, options may include small portions of dog-safe fruit or vegetables, an appropriately sized tendon chew, a durable chew toy, or a veterinarian-recommended product. No option is best for every dog; match it to your dog’s health and chewing behavior.
Bottom line
Pig ears can be an occasional treat for some dogs, but they are not automatically good or risk-free. If you choose to offer one, supervise your dog, use careful hygiene, check recalls, and include the treat in the daily calorie allowance. Consider another option or ask your veterinary team if your dog has health or dietary needs, gulps chews, or cannot be supervised.
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