If you ask me can a dog eat beef jerky, I will ask you whether it is a spicy beef jerky or homemade plain beef jerky that you made especially for your beloved dog? Depending on that, rest your dog’s health.
Beef jerky has a lot of nutritional value for dogs. As it is made with a single protein source, i.e., beef. Beef is the go-to choice of many dog owners when giving the best protein to their pups. It provides all the essential proteins and vitamins.
Moreover, it is a natural Taurine, Thiamine, and B6 source. It supports muscle building and bone health. It also provides high collagen levels.
In fact, it is very nutrient-rich as it also has high multivitamin content such as A, E, K, and D and iron. In addition, it also fights inflammation in dogs.
Now that you know the health benefits of beef, let’s get back to your question and talk about beef jerky and whether it is good. And answer some of your other questions related to this.
What Is Beef Jerky, and How Is It Made?
Beef jerky is dehydrated and dried meat. It is a Native American cuisine. First, you cut meat into thin slices, and then you marinate them in a salt solution to preserve them for longer shelf life.
Next, it is dried in the sun, on a grill, or in a dehydrator. When it is dried, spices, flavoring, and different seasonings are added for a kick.
Other spices like onion, ginger, or garlic can cause damage to a dog’s organs and red blood cells. So, if you are making beef jerky for dogs, you have to make sure that you don’t use ingredients that are even a tiny bit harmful.
Can I Give My Dog Beef Jerky?
Yes, you can give your four-legged friends some beef jerky if it has no spices like black pepper, cayenne, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, or any other flavoring or seasonings.
Plain beef jerky is perfectly safe for dogs to eat. If your dog is healing from an injury or surgery or is a picky eater, he might love beef jerky. Many dogs love to eat meat, so that they will love this tasty meaty treat.
Just don’t give too much, or he can have an upset stomach. You have to be considerate and moderate in feeding your pup.
What Is Better for the Dog, Homemade Beef Jerky or Store-bought Beef Jerky?
Homemade jerky treats are the best because you can control what ingredients go in them. You can avoid any ingredient that might be harmful or can cause an allergic reaction. Beef jerky made especially for dogs is way more healthy.
On the other hand, store-bought beef jerky has many preservatives and additives, which can be toxic for your dogs.
However, if you don’t have the time to make beef jerky at home for your pup, you can buy the store version specially made for dogs. But, you should never give them the ones made for humans.
Is Beef Jerky Bad for Dogs?
Some dog jerky treats could be poisonous to your dogs, as an ounce of beef jerky contains 590 mg of salt. Therefore, the salt content is very high in beef jerky, and this extra salt content could cause sodium poisoning in your dog. Its symptoms include upset stomach, excessive thirst, diarrhea, muscle spasms, high blood pressure, and heart failure.
Similarly, the ones with highly processed sugar can cause high blood sugar levels that can cause kidney failure in dogs over time.
So, as a responsible pet owner, you have to be careful about what you put in your dog’s stomach.
Different Types of Beef Jerky
We got a lot of queries from you guys about different kinds of beef jerky, inquiring us which kinds of beef jerky are safe for their pup. So, here we are, trying to resolve all your concerns with the consultation of our dog nutrition experts and veterinarian team.
Let’s get into them:
Can Dogs Eat Pacific Gold Beef Jerky?
A dog is supposed to have 10gms of sodium in his daily diet. But, unfortunately, this one has 6540 gms of salt in it, so it is a serious no-no for your furry friend.
Can Dogs Eat Jack Link’s Beef Jerky?
This one has lots of garlic powder, and you know that garlic in its concentrated form could be very dangerous. Even a tiny bite could be damaging to your dog’s health.
Can Dogs Eat Spicy Beef Jerky?
Any spice can trigger a strong allergic reaction in your dog and can cause inflammation, so it is better to keep the spicy beef jerky away from them.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Jerky?
Yes, dogs can eat turkey beef jerky if it is plain and has much less salt or sugar if you make it sweet for your buddy. You can try a homemade turkey recipe for your dogs if you want to have this delicious beef jerky treat.
Can Dogs Eat Peppered Beef Jerky?
Absolutely not! Peppered beef jerky causes stomach inflammation. It can also irritate the eyes or skin of your bud. So, it is better to avoid it.
Can Dogs Eat Beef Jerky Sticks?
I would not recommend them, but if your dog is looking at you with his puppy eyes and you are unable to resist, give them just a single piece.
Can Dogs Eat Teriyaki Beef Jerky?
The Teriyaki beef jerky has corn syrup and too much sugar, leading to weight gain and making your dog sick. So, it is better to avoid such a flavored kind.
Can Dogs Eat Organic Beef Jerky?
Yes, dogs can eat organic or natural beef jerky. However, always read the ingredient list and labels to know what you give to your fur baby.
Can Dogs Eat Human Jerky?
No, you should never give human beef jerky to your dog. In 2014,NBC reported a horror story about many dogs dying after having human Jerky because of the high sodium content.
So, it is far better never to let your dog ingests this kind.
What Are Some Famous Beef Jerky Treats for Dogs?
Some popular beef jerky dog treats are:
What to Do If My Dog Ate Beef Jerky?
If it is a regular beef jerky made for him, you don’t have to worry. However, if he has overconsumed it, then immediately call a vet and monitor your dog’s body for any sign of food allergy.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, We have tried to answer all your queries related to can dogs feed beef jerky to dogs? Is beef jerky good? Is beef jerky safe? I hope that we have answered all of your concerns regarding dog jerky.
It is always better to do some taste testing with such foods you are not sure about the food you are thinking to offer your dog. Or it is better that you do a slow transition from one protein to another.
Avoid any seasoning that can make your dog sick. It always adds flavor that your dogs love. Do your research beforehand to let your dog eat in peace.
Do you have any more questions about different types of dry foods? Let us know in the comment box.
