Yes, you can occasionally feed your dog steak as part of a balanced diet. Meat is a source of healthy proteins and vitamins for your pet. Make sure that you provide them with cooked steak that is free from seasonings and preservatives.
However, since dogs are omnivores, they need a diet that includes fruits and veggies as well. It’s not recommended to feed them just meat.
Nutritional Benefits of feeding Steak to your dog
High protein
The main benefit of eating steak and lean meat in general comes from the high amount of protein in it. It contains all the essential amino acids needed for your dog to build muscles and tissues. This makes it a good food choice to keep your pet active and healthy.
Minerals and micronutrients
In addition, beef is also a rich source of minerals and micronutrients. These include iron, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, and Vitamins B12, B3, and B6. Beef also contains various bioactive compounds and antioxidants that have multiple health benefits for your pet. Since steak contains iron, it is good for preventing anemia in your dog.
Omega 3 fatty acids
The omega 3 fatty acids in steak are good for the skin of dogs and help them maintain a shiny coat. These fatty acids also have a positive effect on the immune system of your pet.
healthy fats
Steak also contains ruminant trans fats. When consumed in moderate doses these fats have some health benefits as well.
Is steak bad for dogs?
Health Risks of Eating Steak for Dogs
Consuming steak is not without its share of health risks. However, occasional consumption of steak as a part of a balanced diet should not be a cause for alarm.
Firstly, the WHO has declared red meat carcinogenic. So a diet of steak or any other form of red meat consumed frequently may increase the risk of cancer for your pet. Beyond that, eating raw beef can also have other toxins like hormonal residues, chemical preservatives, and decomposed enzymes and vitamins.
Since beef is rich in saturated fat and calories, overconsumption can also lead to unhealthy weight gain. This can increase cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease for a dog.
Eating raw or undercooked steak can also lead to beef tapeworm infection. Uncooked beef can contain raw meat pathogens that can lead to stomach infections for your pet.
Besides, steak that contains garlic and onion is toxic for dogs. Consumption can hinder the oxygen-carrying ability of the blood and lead to weakness, nausea, vomiting, and fainting.
Do Dogs Prefer Raw or Cooked Steak?
In reality, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to selecting the type of steak for your dog. Since every dog has unique preferences, you need to find out what your dog likes.
Based on their dormant predatory instincts, dogs love the smell of raw meat. However, after ages of being associated with humans, they have developed a preference for cooked meats. However, if you add too many spices and seasoning to the steak, it might turn them off.
That said, there are many dogs who will eat both cooked and raw meat. Be sure to wash your hands and cooking surfaces before and after handling raw meat!
Why Is Raw Steak Good for Dogs?
The advocates of the raw food diet claim that cooking will destroy the heat-sensitive nutrients in the meat. These will prevent the dog from deriving the best benefits from the diet. Also, the gastrointestinal system of dogs is more suitable for consuming raw meat.
In fact, many experts are pointing out that eating all forms of raw food is better for a dog’s health than consuming processed pet food.
Now, the chances of raw meat carrying pathogens like salmonella and E.coli.are high. But pet experts mention that the digestive system of a healthy dog can easily handle some amount of bacteria. The shorter digestive tract of dogs along with their higher body temperature is helpful in this regard.
Even so, light cooking can kill off these pathogens without destroying the benefits of the nutrients.
If the immune system of your dog is compromised in some way, it is best to feed him cooked beef. These include conditions like a kidney problem or liver failures. Similarly, puppies and older dogs with a sensitive digestive system should be fed cooked steak.
Some experts also mention that with raw meat, there are chances of cross-contamination. You or one of your family members can come in contact with the harmful bacteria in some way.
To sum up, there is no hard-and-fast rule about the type of meat you feed your dog. You can feed your dog raw meat if you and your pet are comfortable with it. But make sure not to make it a regular practice.
Other than that, it’s important to remove the excess fat from raw steak. Large pieces of bone should also be removed as it will be difficult for the dog to chew and digest them. Always make sure that the steak is not stale before feeding it to your pet.
In case your dog has an underlying disease, discuss the diet with the veterinarian before proceeding.
How Much Steak Can a Dog Eat?
As a rule of thumb, the daily amount of meat you can feed your dog should be around 1.5% to 2% of its body weight. In terms of protein intake, it can be 1 gram of protein for each pound of ideal body weight.
In reality, the volume of steak you can feed the dog depends on the age, weight, and amount of daily activity of your pet. In addition, the energy requirement also depends on the breed.
A border collie and a basset hound of the same weight will have different energy requirements. Since the border collie is more active, it may need more energy in terms of food. Some smaller dogs have a higher metabolism. So they will need higher calories per pound of food.
To determine this, the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) needed for the dog is calculated in calories. This is the amount of energy required to perform the bodily functions.
For example, the daily RER of a healthy neutered dog with a bodyweight of 10kg (22lb) is around 400 calories. Considering this RER as the base value, the total daily energy requirement can be calculated. For an active dog, this requirement can be anywhere between 2 to 5 times the RER value.
To get a proper breakup of your dog’s calorie requirements, visit your vet for a checkup.
What Kind of Steak Can Dogs Eat?
You can feed your dog any kind of steak as long as it is of good quality. You can let your dog eat cooked steak in various forms.
- You can add steak as a topping to the dried food in shredded or grounded form.
- Cook the steak at a temperature of 145°F, which is considered medium. Then remove the fat and bones and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Skip the seasoning. Allow the meat to cool and don’t serve it too hot.
- If you have steak leftovers, you can also use them to prepare a special treat like a steak salad or a steak stew.
- Do not feed your dog steak if it was cooked with other foods or ingredients that are harmful to dogs.
Always allow the steak to hit room temperature before you start cooking it. While cooking steak for your dog use the same basic food safety techniques used for humans.
Can my dog eat steak if its medium?
Yes, dogs can eat steak if it’s medium. The ideal temperature for preparing medium steak is 145°F. This creates a gray-brown outer layer with a band of pink in the center.
You can also try medium-rare or medium-well varieties based on your dog’s preferences. A medium-rare steak is prepared between 130°F to 135°F and is juicier. A medium-well steak is slightly juicy as it is prepared at higher temperatures ranging between 155°F to 165°F.
Keep in mind, with higher temperatures, there is a higher chance of the nutrients in the steak breaking down.
Can Dogs Eat Rare Steak?
If your dog prefers eating raw or rare steak you can always prepare that. Rare steak is cooked for a short period to leave the center portion cool and red. In other words, it is nearly raw but the surface is slightly browned.
If you prefer feeding your dog raw meat, rare steak is a good option. However, the low temperature cooking might not kill off all the pathogens in the steak. Also, rare meat might not be the best option if your pet isn’t fully healthy or has a sensitive stomach.
Can Dogs Eat Ribeye Steak?
Yes, ribeye steak is good for your dog. Since it is a boneless cut from the rib section, the meat is soft and juicy. The absence of hard bones makes it a safe choice for the digestive tract of your dog as well.
That said, ribeye steak meat has a generous amount of fat content. While this makes the meat flavorful, it can lead to obesity and a wide range of diseases. You can let dogs eat steak fat, but moderation is important.
Should you serve steak to small dogs?
Any healthy adult dog can eat raw meat as long as they enjoy it. But be careful to avoid any infections resulting from pathogens.
However, for small breeds, the bones can be difficult to digest. They might damage the intestinal tract and the inner lining of the throat. They can even break the teeth of a small dog.
How Should I Cook Steak for My Dog?
The secret to cooking your dog’s steak is selecting the right temperature. For preparing a medium steak, place a 1-inch piece over the grill for around 6 to 7 minutes. Let the temperatures rise between 140°F to 150°F.
To measure the right temperature, you need to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Stick it into the thickest part of the steak, away from the bone and fat.
Note, the steak will continue cooking for some time even after being removed from the grill. That means if you are aiming for a final internal temperature of 150°F, you can remove it when it is around 145°F
That said, as long as the steak is cooked well and free from spices and seasonings, it is good for your dog.
Can Puppies Eat Raw Steak?
Most puppies will not have the capability to digest raw meat. So feeding the cooked steak to them is the better choice. Make sure to cook it properly to prevent any chance of infections.
Moreover, puppies also need the right combination of calcium and phosphorus in their diet. This is necessary to prevent growth-related issues and bone deformities. So many vets suggest that a diet of processed foods that offer the right balance of nutrients is the best option for them..
Can Dogs Eat Steak Bones?
Can dogs eat steak bones? Some experts point out that chewing bones are good for the jaws and teeth of dogs. The chewing will increase saliva production and reduce gum disease and plaque buildup on the teeth.
However, some vets have the view that the wrong kind of bone can cause serious injuries to your dog. So, taking the right precautions while giving your pet a bone is a must.
To start with, cooked steak bones of large size should not be given to the dog. Raw bones are a better option. Also, do not let your dog eat a bone if he has any stomach ailments.
There is a risk of choking if your dog swallows the bone without chewing it properly. Make sure to keep your dog under supervision when you have given him a bone. If your dog ate steak bone that wasn’t chewed properly contact your vet immediately.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Steak Bones?
Cooked steak bones are not considered safe for dogs as they can break apart or splinter easily. This can lead to injuries in the mouth or tongue. There is also the risk of a bone fragment getting stuck in the lower jaw.
When consumed, the bone can lead to blockages in the esophagus, windpipe, or gastrointestinal tract. Constipation is also a common side effect of bone consumption. In more serious cases, bone pieces can cause rectal bleeding or a puncture in the abdominal walls leading to infections.
Can Dogs Eat raw Steak Bones?
You can give large, raw steak bones to dogs of larger breeds like mastiffs, German shepherd dogs, bloodhounds, etc. Raw bones are a safer option than cooked bones. The reason is they do not break or splinter easily and are easier to digest.
Final Verdict: Can dogs eat steak?
So can dogs eat steak? Yes. When consumed in moderation, steak is an excellent source of nutrition for your dog. You can let your dog consume it raw or cooked based on his preferences.
When you are cooking a juicy steak for your dog, follow the same process as you do when cooking for your family. Keep a count of the daily caloric intake of your dog’s diet.
In case your pet has any health conditions, consult a vet before serving a steak to him.
