High Steaks: Can Your Dog Eat Beef?

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Many dogs can eat certain types of beef safely. The best option for your pup is cooked lean ground beef, served plain.

Beef has less fat than other meat sources, like pork and lamb, and it’s a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. That said, beef isn’t ideal for every dog. Like all red meats, beef is high in a protein called purine, which can increase the risk of bladder stones in some breeds, like Dalmatians, says Dr. Ivana Crnec, DVM at Honest Paws.

“All in all, always talk to a licensed veterinarian before making a significant change in your dog’s diet,” Dr. Crnec says. Your vet can help you determine whether beef is a safe and healthy addition to your dog’s regular meals by considering factors specific to your dog.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about serving beef to your dog, including the best types of beef for dogs and how to cook them.

Which Types Of Beef Can Dogs Eat?

When shopping for beef, you’ll notice there are different beef cuts. According to Dr. Crnec, the differences lies in:

• The meat’s consistency (chewy, tender, etc.)
• The amount of fat
• The meat-to-bone ratio

“In theory, all beef cuts can be safe for dogs when properly prepared: thoroughly cooked, plain, and boneless,” she says. “If possible and within the budget limit, pet parents can choose human-grade, or, ideally, free-range beef for their dogs.”

To ensure you’re buying quality beef, choose firm, bright red cuts and an U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection seal. This seal means the beef passed inspection and is safe to eat.

Linda Simon, MVB, MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon at Senior Tail Waggers, says beef contains a range of fats. You’ll find the fat content listed on the packaging—particularly for ground beef. For instance, some packages of ground beef may say “5% fat,” while others say “15% fat.” She recommends avoiding feeding the higher fat options to dogs who are overweight and those who’ve had bouts of pancreatitis.

Important: Always avoid serving dogs meat that contains seasonings and extra ingredients. Many spices used to season meat are toxic to dogs.

Ground beef

Dogs should only eat plain ground beef. If they somehow manage to snatch a burger meant for a person, especially one with seasoning, pay attention for signs of digestive upset and consult your vet.

Raw ground beef isn’t a safe option for dogs, Dr. Crnec says, since it can carry parasites and bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses like Salmonella and E. coli. She adds that raw meat, in general, isn’t nutritionally balanced, and long-term consumption can increase a dog’s risk of dietary deficiencies.

Subsociety via iStock

Steak

If you give your dog steak, thoroughly cook any cut to at least medium doneness to eliminate any risks that come with raw, or rare, meat. It’s also important to remove the meat from the bone (or buy boneless steak).

Keep in mind that the steak cut affects the fat content of the serving. Check out the chart below for a list of cuts and how to serve them to your dog.

Corned beef

Corned beef is one type of beef best saved for people. Dogs shouldn’t eat this type of beef because it’s incredibly high in salt and fat and contains a lot of added spices.

A dog’s reaction to corned beef will generally depend on how much they eat, along with their size and overall health, Dr. Crnec says. For example, if a large dog eats a very small piece of corned beef, you don’t need to worry—but if a small dog eats a larger amount, they’ll probably experience some digestive upset.

“The risk of adverse effects and their severity is higher in dogs with some co-existing conditions,” Dr. Crnec says. “Namely, a dog with kidney issues is more sensitive to the corned beef’s high salt content compared to a healthy dog and can experience salt poisoning. Similarly, a dog with chronic pancreatitis can develop an episode due to the high fat content in the corned beef.”

Beef jerky

Dogs shouldn’t eat beef jerky or biltong meant for people. Dr. Crnec says these cured meats are loaded with salt and often contain added spices or seasonings.

Dogs can eat beef jerky options formulated specifically for dogs. These have less salt, so you can give them to your dog on occasion, as a treat, Dr. Crnec says. If you have a small dog, make sure to offer bite-size pieces.

You can also try making your own homemade dog jerky treats.

Raw beef

Uncooked beef poses a number of serious health concerns.

For instance, it may contain bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, or E. coli, all of which cause food-borne illness. Even if the bacteria doesn’t make your dog sick, it can shed infectious spores that put you and your family at risk. Raw beef also carries disease-causing parasites, such as Toxoplasma, Sarcocystis, or Neospora.

Dr. Crnec says you can practice some safety precautions if you want to feed your dog raw beef, like pre-freezing raw meat to deactivate the parasitic spores (this won’t work for bacteria, however). Regular deworming can also reduce the risk of worm infestations from raw meat.

That said, it’s safest to simply cook the beef before your dog eats it.

Beef broth

Dr. Crnec says beef broth has several benefits for dogs:

• It’s rich in glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid, which support joint health. These healthy extras seep out from the beef bones as they cook.
• It can help rehydrate dogs and provide them with essential nutrients. You can also use it as a short-term meal replacement for dogs who temporarily can’t eat kibble—after having their teeth scaled, for instance.
• The flavor can help tempt older dogs and dogs with a decreased appetite.

“Homemade beef broth must be refrigerated or frozen since it lacks preservatives,” she adds. “Unopened cans of beef broth can be stored at room temperature, but they are less healthy for dogs compared to homemade options.”

Important: If you’re buying pre-made beef broth, check for dangerous ingredients like onions and garlic.

Can Dogs Eat Beef Bones?

“From a physical standpoint, raw beef bones are safer than cooked beef bones,” Dr. Crnec says. “This is because cooking softens bones and makes them more likely to splinter.”

Splintered bones pose a choking hazard, and they may also damage the gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, splintered bones can cause severe internal damage.

From a microbial standpoint, however, raw beef bones aren’t really safe, either, due to the risk of parasites and bacteria.

Though she considers raw beef bones the safer option between the two, she says it’s best to avoid giving dogs raw or cooked beef bones.

What Benefits Does Beef Have For Dogs?

Beef can add plenty of key nutrients to your dog’s diet.

How Much Beef Can A Dog Eat?

“Generally speaking, dogs need between 0.25 and 0.30 pounds (lbs) of meat per 20 pounds of body weight,” Dr. Crnec says. She breaks down the recommended serving sizes based on a dog’s size:

• Small breeds (under 30 pounds): less than 0.37 to 0.45 lbs of beef per day
• Medium breeds (30–50 pounds): around 0.37 to 0.75 lbs of beef per day
• Large breeds (50–100 pounds): 0.65 to 1.5 lbs of beef a day
• Giant breeds (over 100 pounds): more than 1.25 to 1.5 lbs of beef per day

Dr. Crnec adds that these serving guidelines apply to all meats. For balanced nutrition, she recommends feeding your dog different types of meat, not just beef.

Keep in mind, though, that when dogs eat more than the recommended serving of meat, they may be more likely to put on extra weight or develop pancreatitis due to excess calories and fat in their diet. Your vet can offer more guidance about your dog’s diet and how much beef they can eat.

chendongshan via iStock

Can a dog eat beef every day?

A dog can eat beef on a regular basis as long as you prepare it safely and offer other meats, too. Other dog-friendly meats include chicken, turkey, salmon, and duck.

How To Prepare And Cook Beef for Your Dog

Always store raw beef in a plastic bag to prevent the juices from getting on other foods in your refrigerator and contaminating them. Also, check that your fridge’s temperature is set to 40°F or lower. You can safely thaw frozen beef in the fridge or microwave.

Keep in mind that raw meat poses several potential health risks, so you’ll want to cook any beef you serve your dog. Dr. Crnec recommends cooking ground meat to a temperature of at least 160°F, which you can measure with a meat thermometer. She says boiling is the best option, but baking—without oil—and air-frying also work well as cooking methods. 

Dr. Simon agrees that boiling and baking are the safest methods of cooking beef for dogs. Make sure any cut of beef reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F, and cut the beef into small, bite-sized pieces to prevent choking.

When preparing beef for a dog, you can use canine-friendly seasonings, such as basil, ginger, parsley, and turmeric. Always avoid onion, garlic, and salt.

Safe And Simple Beef Recipes For Your Dog

If you’re a pet parent looking for any excuse to spoil your pup, try one of these dog-friendly beef recipes.

Delicious and nutritious beef bombs

Dr. Crnec shares this personal favorite:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 organic egg
• ¼ cup oat flour
• 1 cup shredded broccoli
• 2 tablespoons blueberries
• 2 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 400º F.
• Shred/finely chop the broccoli and grate the cheddar cheese.
• Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
• Mash the ingredients until evenly mixed.
• Divide the mixture into bite-sized chunks.
• Roll the chunks into balls.
• Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake until golden brown (roughly 20 minutes).

You can modify the recipe based on your dog’s individual needs and preferences, Dr. Crnec says. For example:

• Try other veggies and fruits instead of broccoli and blueberries. Good options include shredded or finely chopped carrots, apples, zucchini, sweet potatoes, or cranberries.
• For a dairy-free variety, you can remove the grated cheddar cheese and replace it with nutritional yeast.

Other recipe ideas include:

• Gravy meal topper
• Cheddar and beef dog treats
• Jerky
• Liver treats