Can Dogs Eat Steak Bones? 3 Risks of Steak Bones for Dogs

Dog owners can feed their pets raw steak bones but not cooked bones. Raw bones can provide nutrients like phosphorus, protein, and calcium and can support your pet’s dental health by helping to keep your dog’s teeth clean. However, you should never feed your dog cooked bones, as these can splinter and damage your dog’s stomach and digestive system, and bones from the local butcher with raw beef still on them may carry dangerous bacteria.

You should only give your pet large bones to prevent a choking hazard or blockage in your dog’s intestines. Always monitor your pet while they chew on the bone, whether you have a large or small dog.

Cooked dog bones are never safe to give to your dog as they splinter more than raw bones. Dogs should not eat cooked rib bones, T-bone steak bones, or other cooked bones like pork bones or chicken bones. As your dog chews on a cooked bone, it can crack and break. These small pieces of bone fragments can damage your dog’s digestive system and cause serious health problems. Cooked steak may also contain harmful seasonings like garlic or onion powder. Instead, choose an uncooked bone that won’t splinter in your dog’s mouth.

Pet owners should consider the health risks before giving their dog a T-bone or rib eye steak bone. Feeding bones to your dog can lead to:

1. 1. Choking or an intestinal blockage: Be mindful of the kinds of bones you feed your pet, and always monitor them as they chew the bone. Your dog can swallow a small bone whole or ingest smaller chunks of bone, which could lead to an intestinal blockage.
2. 2. Digestive issues: The raw meat on bones may contain dangerous bacterias like E. coli or salmonella, which can lead to stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting.
3. 3. Intestinal damage: Bones can splinter when your dog chews on them. These splinters can enter your dog’s stomach and cause health risks or digestive problems. Cooked steak bones are especially prone to splintering, so only give your dog raw bones to chew on.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.