Can Dogs Eat Steak? ( Raw or Cooked )

Have you ever wondered, “Can dogs eat Steak?“

For many people, (like me), Steak is a favorite meal.

And there’s little doubt that if we were to share some with our furry friends, they would thank us for it. But would their stomachs do the same?

Or is Steak one of those “people” foods that dogs simply should not eat?

This shouldn’t really come as much as a surprise given that they are ancestors of the carnivorous wolf.

So yes, dogs can eat Steak.

But this also leads us to a variety of other questions:

• What does it mean for Steak to be raw/rare/medium/well done?
• Can I feed raw Steak to my dog?
• Can I give my dog a medium steak?
• Can I give my dog well-done Steak?
• How should I cook and serve Steak to my dog?

Today we will answer all of these questions and more – so let’s not waste another minute!

Raw, Rare, Medium, and Well-done Steak Differences

Raw, rare, medium, and well-done all refer to how well-cooked steak is:

Raw refers to Steak that is not cooked at all.

When you buy your Steak at the grocery store, it is in raw form.

Rare refers to a Steak that is cooked very little.

It’s cooked on the outside, but the inside is still raw.

When you cut into a raw steak, the inside will be red in color and will still be cool.

Unlike chicken that poses extreme health risks when it’s uncooked, beef doesn’t contain any parasites.

Therefore, it’s safe to eat your beef in rare form.

Medium Steak refers to a Steak that is moderately cooked.

This category can be further broken down into two more additional types of Steak –

1. medium-rare
2. medium-well.

Medium-rare steaks are soft and pink on the inside and are very juicy with lots of flavors.

Medium-well steaks are closer to well done and only have a hint of pink on the inside.

Medium well steaks give a hint of juice without any of the blood.

Well-done Steak is a Steak that is well cooked and shows no sign of pink on the inside.

It’s generally gray and brown on the outside as well as all the way through.

The main difference between each of these forms of Steak is the juiciness and amount of flavor.

In terms of nutrition, there’s little to no difference between Steak that is raw, rare, medium, or well-done. In return, how you cook your Steak is really up to personal taste and preference.

But what about dogs?

Can dogs eat Steak in all different forms as well?

Can Dogs Eat Raw Steak?

Yes, dogs can eat raw Steak – but that doesn’t mean that they should.

As we mentioned earlier, steak meat doesn’t contain the same bacteria as other meats like raw chicken.

Things like salmonella then, are not a concern when eating raw beef. In addition to that, dogs have extremely acidic stomachs.

This means that, unlike humans, they can process things like salmonella and other bacteria in the gut without getting sick from it.

While raw foods could upset our stomachs, they are unlikely to do much harm for your dog. With that being said, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or

CDC does not recommend feeding raw meat to your canine.

Raw meats are not as easily digestible as cooked meats, and when foods are not easily digested, they don’t effectively produce energy.

When meats are cooked, dogs have an easier time digesting them and the body has an easier time turning them into energy, as well as using them to build muscle and support their immune system.

Furthermore, there are some risks that come along with eating rare meat – for both your dog and yourself.

Though dogs fight off bacteria in meats better than we do, they still risk infection when eating it raw.

Harmful bacteria like salmonella, Listeria, and E.Coli can only be completely eliminated by cooking your meat.

Not only that, but even if your dog were to fend off the bacteria, it would still pose a risk to you.

By handling raw meat, allowing your dog to lick your face after eating raw meat, or even by cleaning up their feces afterward, you put yourself at risk of coming into contact with the bacteria and thereby developing a foodborne illness.

So yes, your dog can have raw Steak, but no, they probably shouldn’t.

Can Dogs Eat Rare Steak?

Because rare Steak is so close to raw Steak, the same principles apply.

Yes, your dog can eat rare Steak, but again, that doesn’t mean that they should.

Undercooked animal-source protein may be contaminated with a variety of pathogenic organisms.

– American Veterinary Medical Association

The only way to completely eradicate the risk of pathogenic organisms and harmful bacteria is by cooking the meat all the way through.

With that being said, if you do decide to feed your dog raw or rare Steak, there are some precautions that you can take to reduce the risk of illness for yourself and your canine:

• Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw or rare meat.
• Never touch other food, surfaces, or your mouth while handling raw food.
• Clean and disinfect all surfaces that were touched by the raw meat.
• Thoroughly wash your dog’s bowl as soon as they are finished eating
• Never let your dog lick you after eating raw meat.
• Don’t let your pet lick open wounds after eating raw meat.

Can Dogs Eat Medium Steak?

Yes! Medium Steak provides your dog with everything they need to derive the benefits of Steak without the risk.

With that being said, Steak should be cooked more on the medium-well side as opposed to the medium-rare side.

Aim for an internal temperature of 150-155 degrees for optimal safety.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Steak?

Dogs can most definitely eat cooked Steak.  In fact, when Steak is cooked medium or well, it lacks the risks of raw and rare Steak but maintains the nutritional benefits.

What Nutritional Benefits does Steak Hold?

• Protein: Protein is one of the most important things in your dog’s diet and Steak is full of it. Made up of amino acids, protein provides the building blocks necessary to keep your dog happy and healthy. It also contributes to healthy hair and skin, muscle development, and a strong immune system.
• Omega 6: Omega 6 is a fatty acid that is involved in the functioning of cells and cell membranes. They aid in reproduction, growth, and immune system functioning. They also help to improve the health of the skin and the coat.
• Vitamin B 12: Vitamin B12 is essential for your dog’s nervous system and brain functioning. It also helps with the formation of blood cells.

In addition to these essential nutrients, cooked Steak also contains niacin, selenium, iron, and zinc, all of which are essential to a balanced diet for your dog.

How To Cook And Serve Steak For Your Dog:

When it comes to cooking and serving Steak to your dog, you want to keep things as simple as possible.

Though Steak might taste better when we add tons of spices and seasonings, these things can be harmful to our dogs.

The best Steak for dogs is Steak that is cooked without any sauces, spices, or seasonings. Keep it plain for the most benefits.

Remember too, that while we all appreciate a nice barbequed steak, your dog won’t be as fussy.

Cooking your dog steak on the stovetop will be just as satisfying to them as a barbequed fiesta.

[ Why do dogs eat Charcoal? ]

Here are the steps:

1. Start by patting the Steak dry and adding some oil to your cooking pan.
2. Once the pan is hot, cook the Steak on the center of the pan for approximately 5 minutes, then flip it over for another 5.
3. Let the steak cool before serving it to your dog.

IMPORTANT TIP: Avoid serving Steak to your dog whole. Cut the Steak up into smaller pieces (how small will depend on the size of your dog).

Many dogs could eat a steak whole without any problems, but smaller pieces will help to aid in digestion and prevent choking hazards.

Final Thoughts:

In conclusion,

Steak can be eaten by your dog in any form.

At this temperature, all the harmful germs in the steak that cause food poisoning will be killed.

So, a medium-well steak which has an internal cooking temperature of 150 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit is highly recommended to avoid any health risks.

Remember, even if your dog’s system can handle the bacteria in meat, it could still pose a risk to you or your family if your dog licks you or through your dog’s feces.

To keep things safe and healthy for everyone, cook your dog’s Steak at medium-well or well-done temperatures – your dog will love it no matter how it is cooked!