Can Dogs Eat Raw Beef? When it is or isn’t an Emergency

Raw beef should be okay for dogs to eat in moderation as long as the dog owner has taken the correct safety measures. Feeding dogs raw meat has been a bit of a contentious issue in recent years but there is nothing to say that raw beef is 100% harmful to dogs.

The main risk that dog owners have to account for is the fact that there is always a possibility of raw beef being contaminated with harmful bacteria. The most common bacteria that may cause sickness include salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.

The above risk can’t be diminished completely but it can be significantly reduced if the raw beef is sourced from butchers who maintain strong health and safety protocols. There is also an important step on the dog owner’s end. Raw beef should be refrigerated and should only be prepared with utensils that have been properly disinfected.

If you aren’t comfortable with the above risks then please do not feed your dog raw beef. Stick with the plainly-cooked beef.