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Many people enjoy cooking beef in many ways. And if they’re pet parents, it’s entirely possible their dogs are nearby drooling at the smell and sight of raw beef! If the meat is left unattended, even for a split second, the dog may decide to take action. He jumps, grabs the meat, and runs off before the pet parent can even holler! This is a common problem, but can raw beef make a dog sick?
Has your dog eaten raw beef? Are you worried the raw beef will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it’s scary and gross when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve put together information about raw beef and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Raw Beef?
Raw beef is any cut of meat that comes from a cow and is uncooked. Many people enjoy eating beef, which can be cooked in any number of ways. What’s more, some pet parents even eat raw beef, such as steak tartare, and more.
While raw beef is commonly found in many homes, can it make a dog sick?
Raw Beef & Dogs
We have to start out by saying that some dogs frequently eat raw meat, including beef, as part of a raw meat diet. However, the meat is usually safe in that case, though too much raw beef could cause an upset stomach.
In other cases, it is possible that raw beef could make a dog sick. The biggest concern is if the meat is contaminated with bacteria. These pathogens can cause food poisoning in dogs and humans. Cooking the meat usually kills the bacteria, making the meat safe to eat.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Raw Beef Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten raw beef:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Lethargy
If your dog is showing these symptoms, it’s a good idea to call the vet for advice. In most cases, your dog should recover on his own. Diarrhea and vomiting may last between 12 to 24 hours. However, if these symptoms last longer, you do need to call the vet. The main concerns are dehydration and that your fur baby has picked up an infection from the raw beef.
Treatment of Raw Beef Ingestion in Dogs
Treatment depends on your dog’s symptoms and the vet’s diagnosis. If your dog has prolonged diarrhea and vomiting, the vet has medications that can stop these issues. And for dogs that have become dehydrated from these symptoms, it’s possible they may need to be rehydrated with an IV and fluids.
And if your dog has been infected by the raw beef, the vet may prescribe a round of antibiotics.
For these health issues, the prognosis is best for most dogs. That’s great news and we hope your fur baby feels better soon!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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