When it comes to Beef Jerky, you’re probably thinking it’s a meat product so it must be safe for our canine friends, right? There are many different kinds of Beef Jerky and they are all highly processed food. You’re probably about to eat a Beef Jerky right now with your dogs next to you and you’re wondering if it’s safe for doggy consumption. Let’s find out!
Can dogs eat Beef Jerky? Dogs can eat Beef Jerky if it is plain without any flavoring, toxic ingredient, or salt and if it is from one protein source. Preferably, dogs should only eat homemade Beef Jerky and not store-bought Beef Jerky as it contains a high amount of salt, spice, gluten, and even garlic or xylitol which are toxic to dogs. Consider the ingredients in the Beef Jerky before feeding it to your dogs.
Let’s dive in and find out when Beef Jerky can be bad for dogs and when it can be safe for dogs to eat. Different types of Beef Jerky you see at your local grocery store are made differently. We will discuss which type of Beef Jerky is safe for doggy consumption and which ones are not.
Table of Contents
Is Beef Jerky bad for dogs?
Yes, Beef Jerky can be bad for dogs. There are several store-bought Beef Jerky that is unsafe and bad for dogs. That’s because these types of Beef Jerky are made for human consumption and it contains many flavors and ingredients to satisfy the human taste buds which are toxic to dogs.
Beef Jerky contains the following ingredients and spices that dogs should never ingest:
- Too much salt.
- Onion.
- Garlic.
- Xylitol.
- Spicy flavors.
- Black pepper.
These spices and ingredients should never be allowed near your dogs and accidentally consuming too much of any one of the above spices can cause poisoning in dogs.
Because of this, we highly recommend that you avoid feeding your pooch store-bought Beef Jerky. If your K9 pals love Beef Jerky, consider making it yourself at home so you know what ingredients are in the Beef Jerky treat or buy a canine-friendly Beef Jerky treat.
Fun Fact: Many highly processed food contains a high amount of salt and for flavoring, it’s common for food manufacturers to use onion or garlic powder. Pepperoni is a food in which this stands true. Check out Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni? to find out if Pepperoni is safe for dogs to eat.
Is Beef Jerky good for dogs?
As you can see, Beef Jerky can be good for dogs if it is homemade or dog-friendly. The Beef Jerky meat should be plain without any added spices or flavor and should not contain too much salt or sugar. Too much salt consumption can cause sodium-ion poisoning in dogs while too much sugar consumption can lead to diabetes, weight gain, and even pancreatitis in dogs.
If the Beef Jerky is plain and is dried meat, then it is simply dehydrated meat which is safe for dogs to eat.
Luckily, plain dried Beef Jerky meat is a source of protein and our canine family members deserve a well-balanced diet that is high in both nutrients and protein. This means homemade Beef Jerky can be a good addition to their diet.
However, like most food, moderation is key. Be sure to only feed your furry friends Beef Jerky treat in moderation.
Can I give my dog Beef Jerky?
Yes, you can give your dog Beef Jerky if the ingredients in the Beef Jerky are safe for dogs to eat. Since many types of store-bought Beef Jerky are made for human consumption and to satisfy the human taste buds, it contains many ingredients that are considered unsafe for our furry friends.
We highly recommend that you make the Beef Jerky yourself at home since you’ll know what ingredient is in there and this is deemed the safest way. Otherwise, if you don’t have time, you can consider buying Beef Jerky treats that are made specifically for doggy consumption such as this one.
My two furry friends absolutely run for these and can’t seem to get enough of this:
What to do if my dog ate Beef Jerky?
If your dog accidentally ate a lot of Beef Jerky, they may be at risk of the following:
- Sodium-ion poisoning.
- Garlic poisoning.
- Onion poisoning.
- Xylitol poisoning.
Your four-legged friends may experience these symptoms from consuming spices and salt:
- Upset stomach.
- Extremely thirst leading to frequent urination.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomit.
- Lethargy.
Handy Hint: Dogs love to eat anything and everything so if your pups accidentally got into your store-bought Beef Jerky jar and ate it without your knowledge and start to vomit from an upset stomach, we’ve provided a Dog Vomit Color Guide so you know what their vomit means!
Make sure to provide plenty of cool fresh water nearby so your pooch can avoid dehydration. Keep a close eye on your dog to make sure they are not dehydrated. If you suspect that your pooch ate some Beef Jerky with toxic ingredients and is feeling weak, tired, or lethargic, we highly recommend that you consult with your vet.
Dogs and Beef Jerky: different types
As you may be aware, there are different types of Beef Jerky out there for human consumption. Below are some of the most popular Beef Jerky brands you can find in your local grocery store.
Let’s find out if these different types of Beef Jerky are safe for dogs to eat since they vary in ingredients and the way they are made.
Can dogs eat teriyaki Beef Jerky?
No, dogs should not eat teriyaki Beef Jerky because it contains sugar or corn syrup. Our furry pals absorb sugar naturally from their main meal in the form of carbohydrates and do not need us or dog owners to give them food with sugar in it. There’s a high amount of sugar in teriyaki Beef Jerky and eating this frequently can lead to diabetes, obesity, dental issues, arthritis, and even pancreatitis.
Due to this, please avoid feeding your pooch teriyaki Beef Jerky.
Can dogs eat jack link’s Beef Jerky?
No, dogs should not eat jack link’s Beef Jerky because it contains a high amount of salt and spices like garlic powder that is toxic to dogs. When dogs ingest food with too much salt, they are at risk of salt poisoning.
While humans love this extra kick of flavor in the jack link’s Beef Jerky, it’s best to keep this away from our canine friends.
Can dogs eat jack link’s teriyaki Beef Jerky?
No, dogs should not eat jack link’s teriyaki Beef Jerky because it contains a high amount of salt, sugar, and fats. Jack link’s teriyaki Beef Jerky also contains wheat and soy products so if your K9 friends are allergic to either wheat or soy, keep this human treat away from them.
Can dogs eat turkey Jerky?
Yes, dogs can eat turkey Jerky if it is plain without any added flavor or spices that are considered dangerous to dogs. It’s best to make turkey Jerky at home for your pooch so you know it is natural with no added ingredients.
If the turkey Jerky is store-bought, make sure there aren’t any spices like garlic or onion powder, added sugar, or hot spicy flavors in it.
You may also be interested in Can Dogs Eat Takis?
Can dogs eat Beef Jerky sticks?
Yes, dogs can eat Beef Jerky sticks as long as there are no spices or toxic ingredients in them. Some Beef Jerky sticks contain dangerous ingredients like garlic or onion powder which dogs should stay away from. If the Beef Jerky sticks contain high amounts of salt or sugar, please avoid giving them to your pooch.
If you must, you can give them a tiny bite, but no more than that since too much salt at once can cause salt poisoning.
Can dogs eat peppered Beef Jerky?
No, dogs should not eat peppered Beef Jerky because it contains pepper as the main ingredient and pepper can cause irritation to your dog’s throat and stomach. Although some say that a small amount of peppered Beef Jerky is fine for dogs, we don’t recommend it.
Some dogs are messy eaters (my dogs especially) so the pepper can also irritate their lips, tongue, and even eyes.
Did you know? After the brining process, Pastrami Meat is usually coated with a mixture of black pepper, fresh garlic, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, and coriander.
Can dogs eat pacific gold Beef Jerky?
No, dogs should not eat pacific gold Beef Jerky. In the ingredients, there is 640mg of sodium in just 1 serving! That’s 6.4 times the amount of sodium a dog can ingest safely each day. Our precious pooch should only have about 100mg of salt every day.
As you can see, no dog should consume this much salt from a small treat.
The original pacific gold Beef Jerky also contains onion and garlic powder which is extremely dangerous to dogs. Due to this, please keep pacific gold Beef Jerky away from your furry family members.
Can dogs eat natural Beef Jerky?
Yes, dogs can eat natural Beef Jerky that does not contain any added spices, flavor, or sugar. If the natural Beef Jerky has low sodium content, then it is safe for dogs to eat. As with any other type of treat, it’s important to read the ingredient label first and see what the natural Beef Jerky is made of before giving it to your K9 friends.
Dogs should also eat the natural Beef Jerky treat in moderation.
Can dogs eat regular Beef Jerky?
Yes, dogs can eat regular Beef Jerky if it doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients or spices like salt, onion, or garlic. Regular Beef Jerky that is plain with a low amount of salt should be fine for dogs.
Can dogs eat spicy Beef Jerky?
No, dogs should not eat spicy Beef Jerky because our canine friends prefer food that is plain without any spices added to it. Remember that spicy food isn’t safe for dogs to eat because it can upset their stomach. For this reason, avoid letting your dog eat spicy Beef Jerky.
You may be interested in Can Dogs Eat Hot Chips or Hot Fries?
Can my dog eat Beef Jerky?
It depends. Dogs can eat plain Beef Jerky that does not contain spices like onion or garlic. If the Beef Jerky is low in sodium and isn’t spicy, then dogs can have a small amount of it.
However, if the Beef Jerky is spicy and contains ingredients that are considered dangerous to dogs, then no dogs should not eat Beef Jerky.
Can dogs eat human Beef Jerky?
No, dogs should not eat human Beef Jerky. Most of the Beef Jerky you find at your local supermarket or grocery store is made for human consumption. This means that Beef Jerky contains ingredients and spices that are made to satisfy the human taste but they are dangerous for dogs.
Additionally, many human Beef Jerky contains a high amount of salt or sugar, which is not good for our dogs. Too much salt can cause salt poisoning and too much sugar consumption can lead to canine obesity, diabetes, dental problems, and pancreatitis in dogs.
So, can dogs eat Beef Jerky?
Before you give your dogs Beef Jerky, be sure to take a look at the ingredients and see if there are any ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Since Beef Jerky is made for human consumption, there may be spices that dogs should avoid. In fact, our furry family members prefer plain food so any food that contains spices is not safe for them.
Spices can also irritate your dog’s lips, mouth, tongue, and throat. Watch out for the amount of salt or sugar that’s in the Beef Jerky.
Generally, Beef Jerky is good for dogs as it is high in protein, but make sure it is plain. If you have time, you can make the Beef Jerky at home or buy canine-friendly Beef Jerky if you have a busy life.
Related Questions
If the Beef Jerky contains spicy flavors, ingredients like garlic powder and onion powder, or a high amount of salt and sugar, then your dog may get food poisoning.
Spicy flavors can cause irritation to your dog’s mouth, lips, tongue, throat, and even eyes. Both onion and garlic come from the allium vegetable family which are toxic to dogs. Too much salt consumption can cause dehydration in dogs and even salt poisoning. Lastly, ingesting food or treat with too much sugar can cause diabetes, weight gain, and other health problems.
If you plan to feed your pooch Beef Jerky, make sure it is in moderation.
Yes, Beef Jerky can potentially be harmful to dogs. According to the FDA, this snack can be dangerous for dogs. When considering Beef Jerky for your dogs, make sure it’s homemade or contains ingredients that are safe for dogs. The Beef Jerky treat we recommended above only contains 2 ingredients, does not contain toxic ingredients, and is made in the USA.
Dogs should not eat Beef Jerky, but if you must give it to your pooch, dogs can have less than 1 ounce of Beef Jerky. Here’s why! If you have a 33-pound dog, then he should not have more than 100mg of sodium each day. One ounce of Beef Jerky is more than 5 times the healthy sodium limit. Thus, if you must feed your pooch Beef Jerky, consider giving them less than 1 ounce of Beef Jerky.
Similar to Beef Jerky, when it comes to Slim Jim, you’ll want to take a look at the ingredients first before feeding it to your pooch. You may also want to consider making Slim Jim at home and feeding your pooch homemade Slim Jim.
Slim Jim isn’t the healthiest for dogs and it is also highly processed with artificial additives that are not good for doggy consumption.
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The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding dietary needs.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerky
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2984110/
With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in dog nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our furry friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our canine companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local dog rescue centers.
