As dog lovers, many of us always give our dogs bits of our food. This isn’t a big deal with some things because they can be safe treats that won’t hurt your dog’s health. But some things are bad for your dog and could even kill your dog. Since it’s meat, it’s safe. If you might have guessed, “Can dogs eat beef jerky?”
Things that can hurt our dogs might come as a surprise. That’s the case with beef jerky, which most people think is okay for their dogs to eat. At first glance, that may seem true, but if you look more, you’ll see that beef jerky isn’t the best snack for your dog.
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Can dogs eat beef jerky?
Dogs can potentially eat beef jerky, but you need to be careful about many things before you give it to your dog. First of all, beef jerky might be a good choice for a snack because it has a lot of energy and not much fat. But because this food is high in salt, you should only give it to your pet in small amounts. Also, many jerky goods have more than one spice or flavor, some of which are poisonous to dogs.
Another essential thing to know is that some types of beef jerky have killed dogs and have since been recalled. Even though this treat might be healthy, you must ensure it is before you give it to your dog.
Is it good for dogs to eat beef jerky?
Most of the time, beef jerky made just for dogs is a healthy food high in protein (34–74%) and low in carbs. It also has a lot of minerals and vitamins, like zinc, iron, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and folate. Plus, it lasts a long time and is easy to carry, so it’s an excellent choice when you’re on the go.
Beef jerky is also made with better-for-you ingredients than many other dog treats. Beef treats lose less nutrients than others because they are dehydrated at low temperatures. The beef’s taste and flavor are also kept, which makes it tasty.
Some companies that make beef jerky dogs even use free-range beef approved by the USDA, so you don’t have to worry about the quality.
Is beef jerky unhealthy for dogs?
Yes, some types of beef jerky are harmful or even dangerous for dogs to eat. Spices and flavors that have been added could be hazardous for dogs.
Here is a list of things that your dog shouldn’t eat:
- Garlic Onion
- Salt (small amounts)
- Spicy Flavors Xylitol Black Pepper
It’s best to make dog treats yourself or buy beef jerky because many store-bought types need correction for dogs.
How to Give Dogs Beef Jerky
Jerky is a good source of protein, like other kinds of meat, and the chewy texture can be good for your dog’s teeth. So dogs can eat beef jerky, but it may even be good for them if it has no harmful ingredients.
Use the following tips if you want to give your dog beef jerky treats:
- The best beef jerky is made at home. You can dry meat at home to make beef jerky treats for dogs. To make natural beef jerky safe for dogs, dry lean meat and add almost nothing else. Some things added to prepared foods, like beef jerky sticks to make them taste better, might not be safe for dogs.
- Choose jerky that has a low amount of salt. Dogs can’t handle as much sodium as people can, so watch out for how much salt is in your dog’s beef jerky.
- Look for jerky treats that your dog can eat. Many companies that make food for dogs produce specially formulated beef for dogs. Give this beef jerky to your dog and keep the beef jerky made for people for yourself.
- Different kinds of beef jerky often have onions and garlic as spices. They are in the family of alliums, which are poisonous to dogs. Avoid onion and garlic powder from the beef jerky you give your dog.
- Xylitol is a fake sweetener that adds taste and extends the shelf life of many foods, such as flavored beef jerky. Dogs can’t handle xylitol at all. Small amounts can give your dog an upset stomach, but more considerable amounts can kill your dog. If xylitol is in the meat, don’t give it to your dog.
- Don’t give them too much meat. Even the best heart can hurt your dog if you give it too much of it. Make sure that treats like beef jerky don’t give your dog more than 30% of their daily calories.
FAQs
What are some things that could go wrong if a dog ate beef jerky?
Some beef jerky has a lot of salt, sauces, chemicals, and flavors that are bad for dogs. These chemicals can cause stomach problems, make you lose water, and, in the worst cases, cause sodium ion poisoning.
Can dogs eat beef jerky that was made at home?
Even though making beef jerky might seem a better choice, it still has risks. Dogs could get sick from the seasonings, spices, and marinades used to make homemade meat.
Is there something else that dogs can eat besides beef jerky?
Yes, there are many treats for dogs that are safe and good for them. Search for toys made with safe ingredients and without any potential harm to your dog.
Should I talk to a vet before giving my dog beef jerky?
Before giving your dog beef jerky or any other new human food, you should always talk to your vet first.
The Bottom Line
Even though beef jerky might seem like a safe treat for your dog, its chemicals and spices can be harmful. Because beef jerky has a lot of sodium, it can cause your dog to eat many times more salt in one day than it should.
Worse, the onion and garlic used to taste beef jerky can be bad for your dog, instead of giving your pet dangerous human jerky, stick to dog jerky and homemade treats.
