Just thinking about beef jerky leaves me drooling. Anything involving meat is delicious for dogs and smelling a treat such as beef jerky for the first time lightens up our senses.
My human best friend came home yesterday chewing on some beef jerky and I ran over to him, tail wagging, and sat down immediately. I was sure this was going to work so I could finally try beef jerky.
Unfortunately, my owner tapped me on the head, knelt down, and told me that it wasn’t a good idea for me or any dog to eat beef jerky.
I was confused and sad so I decided to find out why I couldn’t eat it.
If you’re like me and wondering why dogs shouldn’t eat beef jerky, carry on reading to find out.
I have got my paws on some fascinating facts about beef jerky and what goes into making this snack.
If you can’t wait to see why beef jerky may not be suitable for dogs, it’s mainly due to the processed meats, bad ingredients, and spices that go into making the snack.
Together, these can cause digestive issues for dogs and can lead to unpleasant illnesses further down the line.
Before I go for a walk, let me tell you what I have found out about beef jerky and its consequences when being fed to dogs.
Is beef jerky safe for dogs to eat?
Although many dog owners have fed their dogs beef jerky as a treat over the years, commercially-prepared beef jerky is known to be unsafe for dog consumption.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has done research into this matter and stated that beef jerky can, indeed, be dangerous for dogs.
Although human-grade dried beef jerky is safer for pooches rather than questionably sourced treats, there is enough evidence to suggest that I and my furry friends should stay away from this snack.
Many thousands of dogs have become sick after eating beef jerky and some have even died. Most beef jerky that you buy in the stores is full of chemicals that help enhance the flavor.
These are also packed with preservatives to keep the jerky from spoiling over long periods of time. While these are safe for humans to eat, I and my fellow dogs cannot ingest these chemicals, making beef jerky a very poor choice as a treat.
As well as these chemicals, many spices are added including garlic and onion which are both toxic to dogs. Furthermore, beef jerky tends to have high levels of salt in its formula which can be detrimental to my and other dog’s health.
Our sodium intake should never go over 10mg a day but if we ate beef jerky, the high levels of sodium cause serious health issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, convulsions, and, on rare occasions, death.
If your dog eats beef jerky, make sure that it is naturally prepared without spices that can have harmful toxic effects. Stay clear of some Chinese-manufactured products as these have been proven to be unsafe and fatal to dogs in some cases.
Homemade beef jerky for your dog
I always get very excited when my owners are making food in the kitchen. The aroma that comes from the food leaves me in a trance.
Just because I can’t eat commercial beef jerky doesn’t mean I have to miss out on the treat altogether.
Dogs can enjoy their own version of this delicious treat without any harmful additives or preservatives.
While there are some special beef jerky treats you can buy for us dogs, you can also make some in your very own home. Homemade beef jerky is the best choice because you know exactly what goes into making the snack.
If you want to be absolutely sure of no additives in the mix, you can also use a food dehydrator.
Here is how you can make a delicious beef jerky treat for me and my pals.
Ingredients
- 1-pound of lean beef
How to cook
- Preheat your oven to 150.F (if you don’t have a food dehydrator)
- Cut the lean beef into strips around ¼-inch thick
- Place these beef strips onto the baking rack or food dehydrator racks
- Cook for around 4 to 5 hours or until the beef is entirely dehydrated
- Keep the beef stored in an airtight container no longer than 2 weeks
It’s that easy to make your pup healthy, homemade jerky. I’m going to bark at my parents until they make me some!
What are some remedies for a dog’s upset stomach?
Unfortunately, I and all dogs get a bad stomach once in a while. Whether it’s something we ate (we like to eat a lot!), or some sort of bug, it can be upsetting to see your pet in pain. Thankfully, there are some remedies to help.
You can give your dog an antacid if they experience gas or stomach rumbling but these symptoms usually go away on their own. If your pet is suffering from mild gastrointestinal issues, you can give them Pepcid or Zantac which are completely safe.
If your dog has mild diarrhea, it is also safe to give them Pepto-Bismol. Consult your veterinarian if they are suffering from severe food poisoning.
You must be careful, however, as we are a lot smaller than all of you humans so dosage is very different for us than for you. Ask your vet first to ensure you are giving the correct amount of medicine, just to be safe.
In Summary
Commercially made beef jerky should be avoided at all costs when it comes to feeding dogs. Unless you make the treats yourself or buy it from the local pet store, I and my furry pals should never eat beef jerky.
Just make sure you avoid commercial brands such as Waggin’ Train Chicken Jerky Tender which is made by Nestle Purina in China, as this has been known to be deadly.
We are dogs so sometimes we may eat your beef jerky by accident. If so, simply monitor your dog’s symptoms and consult your veterinarian if any signs of illness begin to show.
Time for walkies! Bye!
