Can Dogs Eat Sausages? NZ Safety Answer

Quick answer

Avoid giving sausages to dogs. They are usually fatty, salty and seasoned, and may contain onion, garlic, herbs, smoke flavouring or rich sauces.

Why

ASPCA's avoid guidance flags salty foods and ingredients such as onion and garlic, while Pet Poison Helpline has onion and garlic references. In NZ, sausages are common at barbecues, fundraisers and leftovers, but they are processed human food rather than a plain lean meat treat.

If your dog ate it

Contact your NZ vet, after-hours emergency clinic, or SPCA for advice, especially if the food contained a known toxin or your pet seems unwell.

Safer alternatives

Use complete dog food, dog treats or a tiny plain cooked lean meat piece if appropriate. Keep sausage rolls, barbecue scraps and sauced sausage leftovers out of reach.

Related reading

• Dog Food Guide NZ
• Pet Emergency Kit NZ Civil Defence Guide
• New Dog Owner: First 30 Days NZ

References

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control, People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, checked 2026-06-13: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
• Pet Poison Helpline, Onions, checked 2026-06-13: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/onion/
• Pet Poison Helpline, Garlic, checked 2026-06-13: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/garlic/

Important notice

*General food-safety information for NZ pet owners, reviewed against ASPCA/VCA/SPCA guidance.*