One of the most common questions dog owners have is whether or not it’s safe to give their pup a T-bone steak and if steak bones are good for canine friends?
While it may seem like a tasty treat, there are a few things to consider before feeding your dog this type of meat.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide some helpful tips on how to keep your dog safe when enjoying a T-bone steak.
While it’s usually okay for dogs to have the occasional piece of steak, t-bone steak, in particular, can pose a very serious threat. The main problem with this type of steak is that it has a bone in it. When you cook the meat, the bone turns brittle and prone to splintering.
This means that when your dog eats the steak, it is very likely that pieces of the cooked or raw bone will break off and cut their mouth. If your dog swallows any of these pieces of bone, they could puncture its intestines and cause internal bleeding.
Dogs love chewing bones but if their mouth gets cut up by bone splinters, the wounds in the mouth and throat could become infected. This turns a bad situation into something much worse. A bacterial infection of the mouth or even stomach lining can be fatal without immediate treatment.
Can dogs eat ham steak bones?
As with pork steak bones, you should avoid giving your dog ham steak bones. Both raw and, especially when cooked, they are easier to splinter. Putting your dog at significant risk of injury, discomfort, and even emergency surgery.
Be Aware of Your Dog’s Teeth Health
Before feeding a steak bone to your dog, check with the vet to make sure your dog’s teeth and gums are in good health. Steak bones are strong, and they’ll put a lot of wear and tear on a dog’s teeth. If your dog shows any signs of gum disease or brittle teeth, it’s probably best to stay away from steak bones.
Does your dog gnaw on a bone like they haven’t eaten in three days? Hint: Most will if they haven’t eaten a meal recently. It’s a good idea to feed your dog a full meal before giving them a steak bone to prevent them from chowing down aggressively on the bone. They’ll feel fuller and will be less likely to try to eat the bone whole.
A steak bone should always be larger than the mouth of the dog you’re feeding it to. Dogs eating too-small bones run the risk of accidentally swallowing it, which can lead to choking or a digestive obstruction. A good rule of thumb is to feed a bone that’s longer than the dog’s muzzle.
Steak bones can get a buildup of bacteria from the raw meat that was once on them. It’s best to store them in the refrigerator when your dog isn’t chewing them and only allow your dog to chew for 15 minutes maximum to avoid bacteria spreading at room temperature. After three or four days, throw the bone away.
Better Option: Feed Your Dog Steak!
If your dog loves steak bones but doesn’t chew them safely or your vet recommends not giving them, there’s another option: steak meat. But, again, clear this with your vet, as some dogs may have allergies, sensitivities, or other reasons why they shouldn’t eat steak.
But nutritionally, steak is an excellent source of protein for dogs, which is why you’ll find beef in many dog foods. Plus, it contains lots of Omega-6, a healthy fat when eaten in moderation. As polyunsaturated fats, Omega-6 fatty acids lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol, making them heart-healthy.
Cooked steak for dogs can be an excellent addition to a meal or used as a quick treat. Just be sure to remove the bones and avoid using seasonings, gravies, oils, or other additions that could be unsafe for dogs to ingest.
In summary, if you’re considering feeding your dog steak bones — or steak for that matter — talk to a veterinarian first. Your vet can determine whether bones or steak is okay for your dog to have based on their physical and dental health. If your dog gets the green light to have some steak or bones, your vet can offer safe and healthy feeding suggestions.
And if you do decide to give your dog some steak, make sure it’s some of the best. Chicago Steak Company’s commitment to excellence makes our wet and dry-aged steaks stand out from the pack. They’re hand-selected and hand-cut, and each package sent your way gets its own registration number as our guarantee to you that we stand behind everything we sell.
FAQ
What happens if a dog eats a cooked steak bone?