Our dogs are family members, and they deserve an extra-special treat on occasion. After all, they have to sit by and wait while we eat delicious-smelling meals, so why shouldn't they get a bit of this great food one in a while? Chances are that your dog would love a bit of steak with her meal or to celebrate her birthday. While dogs can eat steak, it's important to make sure that you prepare it correctly so that your dog can eat and digest the steak properly.
Steak bones for dogs
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As humans, we all know that there's nothing better than a big, juicy steak. If your dog is watching you eat and licking his chops, he's actually begging for a food that can be a beneficial addition to his diet. When steak is properly prepared, it offers many health benefits for dogs.
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Steak or beef is high in protein, which contributes to your dog's energy. The fatty acids contained in steak can help to make your dog's coat, skin, and joints healthier. Additionally, steak contains Omega-6, which can make your dog's hair shiny.
While steak is fine for dogs in moderation, there are many foods dogs can't eat, like chocolate and dairy products. Before you feed any new food to your dog, it's a good idea to check with your veterinarian to make sure the food is safe for dogs and is appropriate for your dog's particular health and nutritional needs.
Handling and preparing steak
When handling and preparing steak for your dog, you should keep in mind the same food safety handling techniques you use when cooking for yourself. Always wash your hands and follow proper methods for freezing, refrigerating, and thawing steak. When thawing frozen steak, place the steak in its packaging on a plate and in the fridge. Wait at least 24 hours for it to completely thaw.
Preparing a steak for your dog is simple because you skip the seasoning altogether. Your dog will think that the steak tastes just great without seasoning, and seasonings like butter and salt are unhealthy for dogs.
Cooking steak for dogs
When it comes to cooking the steak, you can use whatever method you prefer, including grilling the steak or pan frying it. It's important to make sure that you cook the steak until it's medium-well, which kills off salmonella, listeria, and other bacteria that could potentially harm your dog.
Once the steak is cooked, let it rest and cool off for 15 minutes. Your dog will probably be enthusiastic about her steak, so if it's too hot, she could burn her tongue and mouth. After letting the steak sit for five minutes, you can cut it up and spread out the pieces, which will make it cool off quicker.
Serving steak to your dog
You can serve steak to dogs in a number of ways. You can shred it up and add it as a topping to your dog's food, or you can feed your dinner leftovers as a special treat as long as they haven't been seasoned. You can even make steak a part of your dog's meal when it's cooked and cut up into bite-size pieces.
When cutting up steak, remove any bones since your dog could break his teeth while chewing on the bone. Small shards of bone can also puncture your dog's throat and intestines. While you're at it, remove excess fat from the steak since it's more difficult for a dog to digest.
If you'd like to cook a steak for a dog's birthday or top off his meal with a special treat, go right ahead. Just be sure to cook it properly and gradually introduce it to your dog's diet.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.