Can I give my dog raw beef

Can Dogs Eat Raw Meat?

NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially people foods. What might be OK for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors, such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet.

If youve heard about raw dog food, you may be wondering if its safe to feed your dog uncooked meat. Fans of raw food diets for dogs claim that feeding your dog raw meat offers health benefits that processed dog food doesnt have. The idea is that raw meat is closer to what their canine ancestors would have eaten in the wild, and therefore a better option for digestion and nutrient absorption.

But it's not that simple. Dogs today are domestic pets who live longer lives in the comfort of home, unlike the wild dogs and wolves who roamed the earth before Fido graduated to the sofa. While their bodies do still have the ability to digest raw animal protein, it's not a good idea to feed them raw meat. That's because raw meat and fish can cause serious health issues like food poisoning, which can even make you and other members of your household sicknot just your dog.

Keep reading to learn more about the risks of feeding your dog raw meat, and how to ensure they get the nutrients they need from safe sources instead.

Is Raw Meat Good for Dogs?

Dogs are natural carnivores that can digest raw meat, but that doesn't necessarily mean raw meat is good for them. Uncooked meat can harbor harmful bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which cause foodborne illnesses that can make your dog very sick.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and animal nutrition experts do not recommend feeding a raw food diet for dogs. Instead, choose aregular balanced dog food diet that contains all the nutrients needed to keep your pet healthy.

That said, if your dog eats a small amount of raw meat that falls on the floor while you're cooking, they'll likely be fine. But even a small amount of E. coli or Salmonella can be harmful, so monitor your pup for signs of illness and call the vet if you have concerns.

What to Know About Raw Food Diets for Dogs

While occasionally eating fallen bits of raw meat might be fine for your dog, a raw food diet is different. There are several health risks associated with raw food diets. In addition to infections from bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, dogs on a raw food diet may not receive all the nutrients they need from other sources.

In spite of the risks, some pet parents still opt to switch their dog to a raw food diet. Though there are some possible nutritional benefits that your dog could gain from eating raw meat, the health risks of uncooked meat outweigh the benefits. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises against feeding your dog raw meat, along with the CDC and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Switching to a raw food diet should only be done after careful consideration of the potential health risks. Before you decide to feed your dog a raw food diet, talk to your vet about whether its a good idea. Your vet can point you to the best food based on your pups lifestyle and health history.

Can Dogs Die From Eating Raw Meat?

While it's rare for dogs to die from eating raw meat, it's important to take the potential health risks seriously. In addition to the risk of bacterial infections, raw meat can also contain bones that can cause choking or intestinal blockages.

If you're concerned about your dog's health or if they show any signs of illness after consuming raw meat, call your vet.

How to Prepare Meat for Dogs

If you want to add a fresh, healthy protein source to your dog's dish, it's best to opt for cooked meat instead of raw. This will help minimize the risk of bacterial infections and other health issues.

Make Sure Its Cooked

Anytime you prepare meat for your dog, remove any bones or skin that could be a choking hazard. Plain, cooked chicken, turkey, or beef are good options. You'll want to boil or bake it (don't fry!) and remove any excess fat, especially if your dog is overweight or has a condition affecting the pancreas, such as diabetes or pancreatitis.

Avoid Harmful Additives

Avoid any seasonings or spices that can make your dog sick, such asgarlic oronion powder, since both are toxic to dogs.

Cut It Up

Cut meat into bite-sized pieces or opt for ground options that are easier for your pooch to chew and digest.

Talk to Your Vet

As with any new food, check with your vet before making any changes to your dogs diet. Anytime youre adding new ingredients to your dogs bowl (cooked or uncooked), its a good idea to talk to your vet to determine what the best balanced diet looks like for your pet's long-term health.

Featured Image: iStock/Zontica

WRITTEN BY

April Saylor

Freelance Writer

Can Dogs Eat Raw Meat Safely?

You mightve heard about the raw diet dog food fad, and you probably have some questions about it.

Like, can dogs eat raw meat and is it ever a good idea?

We spoke with Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinarian consultant at DogLab, and Dr. Linda Simon, a veterinary surgeon and consultant for Five Barks, to find out all about the benefits and risks of feeding your dog raw meat, as well as how to do it safely.

What is a raw diet for dogs?

A raw diet for dogs is a fad diet by which you only feed your pup raw meat and veggies based on what his wild ancestors would eat.

Proponents of the raw food diet claim it is more natural and mimics the diet of our canines ancestors, Dr. Simon told The Dodo. Much of the success stories are anecdotal, and there is little scientific backing to this claim. Its also worth pointing out that these wild dogs would not have had a particularly impressive life span.

Should dogs eat raw meat?

While dogs can eat raw meat safely, most veterinarians and even organizations like the CDC dont recommend feeding raw meat to your pup.

Thats because raw meat is only safe if its handled correctly. Otherwise, it can lead to bacterial infections like salmonella. (More on that later.)

What raw meat can dogs eat?

According to Dr. Ochoa, beef and chicken are two types of raw meat that can be safely fed to your dog when the proper precautions are taken. However, you should NEVER feed your dog raw fish.

Beef and chicken most dogs can easily tolerate a small piece, Dr. Ochoa told The Dodo. Raw fish can contain salmonella and parasites that can cause your dog to become very sick.

Raw chicken can also expose your pup to salmonella, but overall its not as harmful for your pup as fish.

It is not as dangerous as feeding raw fish, Dr. Ochoa said.

And according to Dr. Ochoa, you should also steer clear of raw pork because it contains a bacteria called Trichinella spiralis.

Raw pork is not safe for your dog at all, Dr. Ochoa said. This parasite can cause your dog to become very sick. It can cause digestive problems and muscle issues.

Is raw meat good for dogs?

Raw meat can be a good source of protein for your dog as long as its handled properly.

Cooking foods can break down some of the nutrients that are found in foods, Dr. Ochoa said.

Is raw meat bad for dogs?

Raw meat can be bad for dogs if handled improperly, because it can lead to bacterial infections.

Raw foods can contain salmonella and other bacteria if not handled properly, Dr. Ochoa said.

Your dog might have a salmonella infection if you notice signs like:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Not eating
• Weight loss
• Dehydration
• Shock
• Lethargy
• Abnormal heart rate

Bacterial infections arent just a problem for your dog you can also be affected if you give your dog raw meat that's been contaminated.

On top of this, the humans in the household can become infected if they are licked by the dog on the mouth or if they touch their food or handle their stool and inadvertently put their hand in their mouth, Dr. Simon said.

Can dogs eat raw meat in place of kibble?

According to Dr. Ochoa, your dog shouldnt eat raw meat only in place of kibble or other commercially available dog food. Thats because your pup cant get all the nutrients he needs from only eating raw meat.

So if youre going to give him raw meat, youll need to supplement it with something else that will give him the other nutrients hes not getting from the meat alone.

Kibbles regulated to provide a balanced diet for your dog, so he should be getting all those crucial nutrients when he eats it.

How to safely feed your dog raw meat

If you still have your heart set on feeding your dog raw meat, you have to make sure youre doing it safely to avoid any bacterial infections.

According to the FDA, this involves:

• Thoroughly washing your hands before and after handling raw meat
• Cleaning and disinfecting any surface or object that touched raw meat
• Immediately refrigerating any raw meat your dog doesnt eat
• Thoroughly washing your hands or face if your dog licks you after eating raw meat

Talk to your veterinarian if you plan to feed your dog a raw diet to make sure his meals are complete and balanced.

So, while dogs can safely eat raw meat, its not typically recommended, since the risks outweigh the benefits. If you do choose to feed your dog raw meat, steer clear of fish and pork, and make sure youre handling it safely.

Can Dogs Eat Bones? Raw & Cooked Bones for Dogs

By T. J. DunnJr., DVM

You've probably heard people say that feeding bones is natural and healthy for dogs (for a report on the nutritional value of bones,read this) and that feeding bones promotes clean teeth and aids the nutritional status of the animal. But natural does not always equate with healthy. For example, wild mushrooms are certainly natural, but certain types will kill a dog if eaten. Lets investigate the pros and cons of feeding bones to help you determine if and what types of bones might be appropriate for your dog.

Are Bones Safe for Dogs?

After enjoying a nice dinner and noticing your dogeyeingthe bones that were left behind, many people wonder, "Can dogs eat bones?" As is often the case, the answer depends on the details.

Cooked bones should always be off-limits. They become brittle and easily break into sharp shards that can do a lot of damage when they pass through the gastrointestinal tract. Never feed your dog cooked bones. This includes those that originate in your kitchen and those that can be purchased. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that between Nov. 1, 2010 and Sept.12, 2017,it received accounts of 90 dogs who became sick after eating commercially-available smoked or baked bone treats. Fifteen of the dogs died.

Raw bones are generally safer than cooked, but again, the devil is in the details. If you want to give your dog a bone because chewing provides mental stimulation and can help keep the teeth clean, Dr. Karen Beckerrecommends picking a raw bone that is approximately the size of your dogs head. Bones of this size will allow your dog to gnaw while helping to reduce the chances that your dog will break off and swallow a chunk of bone that can cause health problems.

But Dr. Becker still recommends that dogs should always be monitored when they are chewing on bones. Why? Unchecked access to bones, even raw bones, can have disastrous results. Here are just a few examples where a dog has been very seriously harmed by ingesting raw bones.

Below are X-rays of a case presented to Dr. Ray Goodroad. This hound of about 75 pounds was found by his owner feeding on a dead deer carcass. The dog became very lethargic, attempted unsuccessfully to vomit and pass stool, and was dehydrated. Sharp bone fragments are clearly visible.

Now take a look at these two X-rays. They are of a dog that was straining to pass stool andwas weak and dehydrated when presented to the veterinarian. The dog, Dr. Goodroad would learn, had a history of raiding the neighbor's garbage cans.

Both of these dogs required four days in the hospital, anesthesia and sedation, repeated enemas, intravenousfluid, therapy, antibiotics, and additional X-rays. If this treatment approach wasn't successful, major surgery would have been necessary to save the dogs' lives.

Its also important to recognize that large "round" bones are not completely safe either. Gnawing on these bones can result in broken teeth, infections of the tooth root, abscesses, and other health problems. Also, raw bones can introduce food-borne pathogens like Salmonella into your household, particularly if the bones are left out for extended periods of time. This can be especially dangerous if anyone in the home (human or pet) is immunocompromised due to illness or because they are taking certain types of medications. Talk to your veterinarian to help you decide whether the benefits of giving your dog bones to chew on outweighthe risks.

Are Bones Nutritionally Beneficial?

When a dog gnaws on a raw bone, any nutrition that is derived comes primarily from the attached soft tissues such as meat, cartilage, fat, and connective tissue...not from the bones themselves, which shouldnt be swallowed, after all.

But bones can be a wonderful source of calcium and phosphorous when fed as part of a nutritionally complete, home prepared diet. Following some simple guidelines will maximize the benefit and minimize the risk of feeding bone to dogs:

• Consult with a veterinary nutritionist to ensure that you offer the proper amount of bone. Too much can be just as dangerous as too little.
• Source your raw bones from a respected, local butcher and follow meticulous food hygiene to minimize the chances of food-borne illness.
• Thoroughly grind the bones before including them in your dogs meals. Softer options like chicken necks tend to work best.

Are There Options to Feeding Bones to Dogs?

If after reading about the potential dangers of feeding your dogs bones youve decided that the practice is not for you, dont worry, you have options. There are many ways to satisfy your dogs desire to chew. Toys made out of twisted rope fibers or dense rubber are good choices. You can keep your dogs teeth clean by brushing them daily or by feeding dental diets, treats, and chews. Those that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) have been scientifically shown to be safe and effective. And when it comes to food, commercially available diets that are made by reputable companies provide the complete and balanced nutrition dogs need to stay healthy.