Dogs need meat as a regular part of their balanced diet. Meat provides a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals for dogs which is necessary for the healthy development of brain functions, good digestion, and proper functioning of the nervous system and immune systems. Like all other meats, roast beef can be an excellent source of beneficial nutrients for dogs as long as it is used properly. Roast beef shouldn’t become a regular part of a dog’s diet and should instead be offered in the form of an occasional treat only.
Read the article below to find out all the benefits and even some risks of feeding roast beef to your dog.
Which Food Is Best for Dogs?
The basis of each dog’s diet should be a quality, dog specific, commercial food, adjusted to each dog individually and their specific age, size, activity, and weight. While there are certain rules of thumb regarding the ideal dog diet, it is still advisable to consult your veterinarian for advice. Each dog has different needs, especially if certain health conditions are included.
Dogs need to have a meat-based diet, while vegetables should be included as well. Bones are not recommended for dogs, nor is raw meat because it potentially carries pathogens that can cause serious illnesses in the dog and the owner. Bones can cause dogs’ teeth to break and even create internal blockages. Cooked meat is excellent for dogs, but you must ensure it is stripped off the bone.
Below are some human foods that are excellent for dogs.1
- Eggs: Dogs can eat eggs as long as they are cooked correctly. Boiled eggs are a fantastic source of protein for dogs.
- Fish: Fish is another beneficial food for dogs because it provides them with amino acids and good fats. Salmon has plenty of protein and vitamins that are excellent for dogs. Feeding your dog fish twice a week is safe if it is thoroughly cooked and cooled.
- Honey: Honey is incredibly beneficial for both humans and dogs. Honey is loaded with vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K. It contains antioxidants, potassium, calcium, copper, and magnesium.
- Peanut butter: Peanuts, as well as peanut butter, are filled with healthy fats and proteins, which are excellent for dogs. Peanut butter also has vitamins B and E. Make sure to offer your dog only raw, xylitol free, unsalted peanut butter since their stomachs are sensitive to salts, oils, and seasoning.
- Pork: Pork is a type of meat that dogs love and is highly digestible and filled with amino acids.
- Turkey: As you probably know, dogs are huge fans of turkey meat. While turkey is entirely safe for dogs, removing fats or skin before cooking is crucial. You will also need to remove any bones because they can create internal blockages, and splintering can even cause organ ruptures.
- Grains: Wheat and grains are perfectly safe for the majority of dogs to consume and even provide them with plenty of proteins, fiber, and fatty acids.
Is Roast Beef Safe for Dogs?
If you are wondering whether you could safely feed roast beef to your dog, the good news is that this meat is safe for dogs. Roast beef is rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins that are beneficial to dogs. Roast beef contains vitamins and minerals such as B12 and B6, iron, zinc, phosphorus, and selenium. The only concern when feeding your dog beef is the additional ingredients that go into the roast. As long as the beef is roasted with safe ingredients for dogs, you can use it as a treat.
Since roast beef is made from the cow’s fattier parts, you shouldn’t make it into a regular meal. Treats should make up 10% of their entire daily food intake, so remember this when feeding your dog.
Benefits of Roast Beef
There are many benefits to feeding your dog roast beef, and below we will include the most beneficial aspects.
- It has high levels of protein, which is excellent for ensuring your dog has enough fuel and energy to get through the day.
- It helps your dog maintain a healthy and shiny coat.
- Roast beef contains amino acids, which are great for managing and regulating hormones, organ function, and metabolism.
- It contains vitamin B12, which is necessary for the body to be able to build a strong immune system, good digestion, DNA production, and regeneration of cells.
- It also contains vitamin B6, which also regulates hormones and ensures a properly functioning nervous system.
- It contains zinc, which helps with a healthy coat and skin, boosts the immune system, and promotes healthy brain functioning.
The Risks of Roast Beef
While roast beef has some amazing benefits for dogs, it also brings certain risks you must be aware of as a current or a future dog parent.
- Beef has high levels of saturated fats, which can cause obesity in dogs if consumed too much or too often.
- Some dogs are allergic to the proteins found in chickens, lamb, fish, and beef, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, skin infections, and inflammation.
- Roast beef is often prepared with oils, seasoning, and too much salt. Salt can cause dogs to dehydrate and become sick.
- Onions and garlic included in some roast beef preparations are toxic and can cause health issues. Feed your dog plain roast beef only.
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Final Thoughts
Roast beef is generally considered safe for dogs and is even a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, although knowing the correct amount for a balanced diet is important. Roast beef should be fed plain, without any additional spices, onions, or garlic, and be fed only occasionally and in moderation.
See Also:
- Can Dogs Eat Meatloaf? Vet-Approved Facts & Healthy Diet Tips
- Can Cats Eat Corned Beef? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ
Featured Image Credit: vitals, Shutterstock
4 Responses
can I feed my 13# Mini Goldendoodle, canned chicken, roast beef and tuna if it rinsed well to remove fat, water, and salt?
is it okay to add 1-2 chicken or 1-2 poz of beef livers cooked in water and chopped up and addrd to her wet food dinner on a daily basis,
Hi Sidney! It's great to hear that you are taking your dog's nutrition seriously, and we appreciate you reaching out to us. Formulating a dog's diet can be complicated due to a number of factors, including age, their exercise volume, body condition score, and medical history. I would suggest booking a consultation with one of our vets so they can safely provide you with the information you are after and address any other questions you may have. You can book a time that is convenient for you at this link here: https://pangovet.com/schedule-appointment/. We look forward to speaking with and helping you and your dog. 🙂
Ty for all the advise. One thing I can’t understand is the current thinking about onions and garlic. Every dog I ever had ate some garlic and two of them ate a lot of it because back in the 90s people thought it helped keep fleas off (which it didn’t ). All my dogs lived to almost 20 without having any trouble with garlic or onions.
Hi Maura,
Thanks for reaching out to us. Good question! You're certainly correct that these toxic foods don't help with fleas! With many things that are toxic, we haven't always been as savvy about knowing the potential issues they might cause. And sometimes, small amounts might not cause clinically visible concerns.
Onions and garlic are certainly no-nos now that we now know better about. That said, good on you for taking such good care of your dogs that they lived to wonderful ages close to 20. Best wishes and please feel free to reach out again 🙂