Can Dogs Eat Steak?

Dogs and steak go hand in hand, right? 

At least, historically, that’s what cartoons would have us believe, as old episodes of Tom & Jerry often saw Spike the dog get distracted by a monster-sized slab of raw beef.

But it’s not as straightforward as it may seem.

It’s true that beef offers many benefits for dogs. Not only does it provide essential proteins and fats, but it also contains important amino acids, nutrients and minerals including iron, potassium and B vitamins. This means beef’s a key source of natural energy and an aid to building strong muscles for your dog.

But can you just throw an entire uncooked steak in your dog’s bowl? Or should you lovingly grill it beforehand? Read on for all the answers. 

Can Dogs Eat Raw Steak?

The short answer is yes, dogs can eat raw steak, although it’s not advised to feed them this as a regular meal as it would become very expensive very quickly. 

Just like with raw pork, the occasional raw steak will not harm your dog, and they’ll certainly enjoy the treat. But dogs require a balanced, nutritionally rich diet comprising more than just raw meat. This means adding things such as offal/organ meat,  fruit and vegetables, and carbohydrates to their diet. Feeding them raw steak only is different to feeding them a balanced raw diet. In fact, it would be rife with deficiencies.

As with all raw meat, raw steak also comes with the risk of bacteria passing to your dog and to you. There’s a risk of E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria infection from raw food, so cooking the meat before feeding it to your dog is advised.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Steak?

It’s generally safe to feed dogs cooked steak, depending on how it’s prepared. If it’s cooked with garlic or onions, you should avoid giving it to your dog due to the toxicity risk of those foods. Equally, if it’s seasoned with strong spices — including powdered garlic or powdered onion — it could potentially cause an upset stomach, or, depending on the amount consumed, more serious toxicity issues with the liver.

If the steak is cooked plainly, though, without seasoning or spices, and offered as a celebratory treat, with no bones left in, your dog will enjoy the meal.

For dogs, there’s no time to savor the delicate flavors, however lovingly you prepare it — like all food they eat, it’ll be wolfed down in an instant. But it’s guaranteed they’ll be staring at you with their best puppy eyes for second helpings…

Can Dogs Eat Steak Bones?

Picture the scene: You’ve just consumed a T-bone steak as big as your plate, with your faithful hound watching every forkful. All that’s left is the bone. Your instinct is to toss it to your dog as a treat, but can dogs eat steak bones?

Well, if it’s been cooked, the answer is no, your dog cannot eat it and you must not feed it to them. This rule applies to all bones — if they’re cooked, there’s a high risk the bones could splinter and damage your dog’s teeth, mouth and digestive system, as well as posing a choking hazard.

Raw steak bones, however, can be fed to your dog. They make a tasty and nutritious meal, as well as helping clean their teeth. They also provide extra calcium, phosphorus and protein. 

However, please note, dogs should NEVER be fed bones without being supervised. Dependent on the dog size and relative bone size, bones can be a choking hazard or be a hazard for broken (or worn) teeth. Even raw bones can be broken by dog’s strong jaws and pose risks. Also, be mindful of your dog’s chewing habits. If your dog tends to gulp down their food or chew rapidly, it may be best to avoid giving them bones altogether.

Can Dogs Eat Steak Fat?

It’s best not to feed your dog steak fat. The fat within a cut of steak is fine if consumed occasionally as part of the entire steak, but it’s not recommended to cut thick pieces of fat off steaks and feed the cuttings to your dog as a treat. 

Not only will feeding them steak fat rapidly lead to weight gain and obesity, it can also lead to serious health issues including pancreatitis. 

A well-cooked piece of lean steak is the safest way to treat your dog, if you are going to give them steak.