Can Dogs Eat Beef?

Yes, dogs can eat beef when it is plain and cooked all the way through. Plain cooked beef is a good source of protein. The trouble comes from what is added: salt, spices, onion, garlic, fat, and bones. Raw beef can also carry germs.

Is cooked beef good for dogs?

The AKC says plain, cooked hamburger meat can be a healthy source of protein on top of a dog’s regular balanced diet. The same goes for a bite of grilled steak.

It should be an extra. The AKC does not recommend feeding table scraps in general, because they can lead to bad habits, an upset stomach, and weight gain.

How do I serve beef safely?

• Cook it all the way through. The FDA says thorough cooking kills Salmonella, Listeria, and other harmful bacteria. It suggests using a food thermometer.
• Keep it plain. No salt, spices, sauces, onion, or garlic.
• Trim the fat. The AKC says to cut fat off steak. Fatty or seasoned meat can upset the stomach, and at worst cause pancreatitis, a painful swelling of the pancreas.
• Cut it small. Bite-sized pieces help prevent choking.

Can dogs eat raw beef?

Raw beef is risky. The ASPCA and AKC both warn that raw meat can carry Salmonella and E. coli. These can make dogs and people sick.

The Merck Veterinary Manual also says that raw meat diets are not well studied, so vets have little good research to guide them. It says dogs that eat raw meat can pass germs in their stool, which can spread them to people. Wash your hands and any surface that touched raw meat.

Can dogs eat beef bones?

Don’t give cooked bones. The AKC says cooked bones splinter into sharp pieces that can hurt a dog’s mouth, throat, or gut. The ASPCA also says raw bones can cause injury or a blockage in the gut, sometimes needing surgery. If you want to give a bone, ask your vet first.

Other kinds of beef

Beef patties and burgers

A plain patty, cooked through, is okay in small bites. Most burgers from stores and restaurants are not. The AKC says they often have salt, spices, onion, and garlic. Skip the bun, toppings, and sauce.

Roast beef and deli roast beef (like Arby’s)

We did not find a veterinary source that covers any specific brand, including Arby’s. Restaurant roast beef is usually seasoned, and the AKC warns that seasoned meat can upset the stomach or worse. Plain roast beef you cooked yourself, with the fat trimmed, follows the same rules as any cooked beef. We suggest skipping the restaurant kind.

Beef broth and beef stock

Plain broth is only okay if you know exactly what is in it. Store-bought broth and stock often have onion, garlic, and a lot of salt. Check the label for “onion powder,” “garlic,” and “natural flavors.” If you can’t be sure, skip it. Stock cubes are concentrated, and we found no vet source that covers them, so we suggest skipping them.

Too much salt can make dogs sick. Pet Poison Helpline lists vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, shaky walking, extra thirst, tremors, and seizures. The ASPCA also lists these signs. Call your vet if you see them.

Canned beef stew

Skip it as a regular food. Canned stew often has salt, onion, and garlic. If you want to share a bite, read the label first, and pick out only plain beef pieces. Leave the gravy.

Corned beef (fresh or canned)

We suggest not feeding corned beef. We did not find a vet source that covers it by name. Corned beef is usually very salty, and Pet Poison Helpline warns that too much salt can make dogs seriously ill. It may also come with onion or garlic. The same goes for “cornbeef,” a spelling variant of the same food. If your dog ate a lot of it, call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline.

What if my dog ate beef with seasoning?

A small bite usually is not a big problem. But watch your dog for vomiting, diarrhea, or tiredness. If the food had onion or garlic, or your dog ate a lot of something salty, call your vet. Sooner is better.

Other treats to try

The AKC says the same rules apply to plain cooked chicken, turkey, and pork. Our guide to foods that are toxic to dogs lists what to avoid. For another treat, see can dogs eat cheese.

Keep treats, including beef, to a small part of your dog’s day. Ask your vet how much fits your dog.