Yes, pig ears can cause diarrhea in dogs. The two most common reasons are their high fat content, which many dogs struggle to digest, and the risk of bacterial contamination, particularly Salmonella. Small dogs and dogs with sensitive stomachs are especially prone to digestive upset after eating pig ears, but it can happen to any dog.
Why the Fat Content Matters
Pig ears are rich in fat, which is part of what makes them so appealing to dogs. But that same fat is also what makes them a common trigger for loose stools. When a dog eats more fat than its gut can process in one sitting, the unabsorbed fatty acids pull water into the intestines. This creates watery, loose stool, sometimes within hours of eating the treat.
This mechanism is well understood in veterinary nutrition. During any kind of gastrointestinal upset, fat is the first thing vets recommend cutting because malabsorbed fatty acids and bile acids directly cause secretory diarrhea. A whole pig ear delivers a concentrated dose of fat that many dogs, particularly smaller breeds, simply aren’t equipped to handle at once. Veterinary guidelines from UC Davis recommend that treats make up no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories. For a small dog eating 300 calories a day, that’s just 30 calories from treats, and a single pig ear can blow past that limit easily.
Salmonella Contamination Is a Real Risk
Beyond the fat issue, pig ears have a documented history of bacterial contamination. In 2019, the FDA investigated a major outbreak of Salmonella linked to pig ear treats, with 154 confirmed human infections across 34 states. Multiple Salmonella strains were found in products from suppliers in Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina, and several brands were recalled. The FDA created a specific import alert for pig ear treats and increased testing of imported products.
This isn’t just a historical concern. As recently as April 2025, Supercan Bulk of Miami recalled a lot of pig ear slivers after the Washington State Department of Agriculture found Salmonella contamination during routine testing. Dogs that eat contaminated pig ears may develop diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and lethargy. Some dogs carry Salmonella without showing obvious symptoms, but they can still shed the bacteria in their stool, posing a risk to other pets and to the humans handling them.
Pancreatitis: A More Serious Concern
Repeated high-fat treats like pig ears have long been considered a risk factor for pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas. Early veterinary studies suggested a clear link between high dietary fat and the onset of pancreatitis, which is why vets have traditionally recommended fat restriction for dogs prone to the condition. A 2025 review noted that the evidence is more complicated than previously thought, with some dogs relapsing despite strict low-fat diets. Still, the association is strong enough that most veterinarians advise caution with fatty treats, especially for breeds already predisposed to pancreatitis like Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, and Yorkshire Terriers.
Pancreatitis symptoms overlap with simple diarrhea but tend to be more severe: repeated vomiting, a hunched posture, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and diarrhea that doesn’t resolve on its own. If your dog shows these signs after eating a pig ear, that warrants prompt veterinary attention rather than a wait-and-see approach.
What to Expect if Your Dog Gets Sick
If your dog develops diarrhea after eating a pig ear and is otherwise acting normal (still playful, drinking water, no vomiting), you’re likely dealing with simple dietary indiscretion. In most cases, this resolves within a day or two. A common approach is to fast your dog for 24 hours, then offer a bland diet of boiled chicken and plain rice until stools firm up. Once bowel movements look normal for a day or two, you can gradually mix their regular food back in.
Watch for signs that something more serious is going on. Diarrhea lasting beyond two to three days, blood in the stool, lethargy, repeated vomiting, or refusal to drink water all warrant a call to your vet. Puppies and senior dogs can dehydrate quickly, so the threshold for concern is lower with those age groups.
Lower-Risk Chew Alternatives
If pig ears consistently cause problems for your dog, several alternatives provide the same chewing satisfaction with less digestive risk.
- Sweet potato chews are naturally low in fat and high in fiber, which actually supports digestion rather than disrupting it. You can buy dehydrated versions or make them at home by slicing sweet potatoes into strips and baking them at low heat.
- Fish skin chews are fully digestible and packed with omega-3 fatty acids. They’re a good option for dogs prone to stomach upset because they break down easily in the gut.
- Cow ears are softer and generally lower in fat than pig ears, making them easier on sensitive stomachs while still giving your dog something satisfying to gnaw on.
Whichever treat you choose, the 10% rule still applies. Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of your dog’s total daily calories, with the other 90% coming from their complete and balanced food. For dogs that have had diarrhea from pig ears before, starting with half a treat rather than a whole one can help you gauge tolerance without triggering a full-blown episode.