We shouldn’t think twice about giving our dogs jerky because they love meat and it’s just dried meat, right? Well, beef jerky is more than just dried meat these days, and your dog has nutritional needs to think about. Having beef jerky treats while your dog sits at your feet may make you want to give in to their begging or beautiful, longing eyes and give it to them. Here are a few facts to think about first.
Is Jack Link’s Beef Jerky Bad For Dogs? The Truth About This Popular Snack
Beef jerky is one of America’s favorite on-the-go snacks. The savory, protein-packed strips of dried meat make for a tasty treat during road trips, camping adventures, and even long days at the office. But while we humans love beef jerky’s bold, smoky flavor, is this snack safe and healthy for our canine companions?
As pet owners, it’s our responsibility to know exactly what goes into the products we feed our dogs. So let’s take a closer look at one of the most popular jerky brands, Jack Link’s, and find out if it should be on your pup’s treat rotation or avoided altogether.
The Questionable Ingredients
Beef might be the star ingredient but Jack Link’s jerky contains much more than just sliced and dried meat. The additional ingredients are where potential problems arise for dogs.
First up is sodium nitrite. This common preservative gives jerky its characteristic red color and prevents the growth of bacteria during the drying process. In humans, sodium nitrite is linked to a slightly increased risk of colon cancer when eaten in large amounts over many years. While the compound poses less of a threat to dogs in small doses, it’s still something to be mindful of.
Next we have not one, but three different sources of sugar: brown sugar, sugar, and corn syrup solids. The sweet stuff makes jerky more palatable, but too much sugar can cause obesity, dental issues, and fuel overgrowth of unhealthy gut bacteria in our furry friends.
Finally the use of garlic and onion powders as flavor-boosting spices is concerning. Onions contain a harmful compound called thiosulfate which can damage dogs’ red blood cells and lead to a dangerous condition called hemolytic anemia. Garlic is less toxic, but consuming large amounts over time may also cause blood abnormalities.
High Sodium Content
In addition to questionable ingredients, the sodium content of most beef jerkies should give pet owners pause. Jack Link’s Original Recipe Beef Jerky contains a whopping 890 mg of sodium per serving. To put that into perspective, the recommended allowance for a typical adult dog is just 68-170 mg per day.
Feeding high-sodium treats frequently or in large quantities could adversely affect your dog’s health by causing
- Increased thirst and urination
- Elevated blood pressure
- Kidney problems
- Stomach upset like vomiting or diarrhea
The bottom line is all that excess salt just isn’t good for your pup. Moderation is key when it comes to high-sodium foods.
Choking Hazard
The dry, tough texture of beef jerky requires quite a bit of determined chewing. While this isn’t an issue for people, jerky’s dense consistency makes it a choking hazard for dogs. This is especially true for aggressive chewers and smaller breeds with tiny throats and airways.
If you do choose to share a little jerky with your dog, it’s crucial to monitor them the entire time. Cut or tear the meat into tiny pieces to minimize the risks. Supervision is a must to avoid a scary choking emergency.
Lack of Balanced Nutrition
Sure, beef jerky contains protein. But unlike high quality commercial dog foods or home-cooked meals, it lacks complete and balanced nutrition for your pet. Jerky isn’t meant to be a dietary staple. Think of it as an occasional treat at most, not a nutritionally valuable meal component.
The Verdict on Jack Link’s Beef Jerky
At the end of the day, beef jerky should be considered an unhealthy human snack unfit for regular canine consumption. The bottom line is proceed with caution if you want to share a bite of jerky with your dog. Follow these tips to make it safer:
- Choose products with minimal seasonings and no onion/garlic.
- Avoid added sugars like corn syrup solids.
- Check the sodium content and pick a low-sodium option.
- Only feed small, bite-sized pieces for safety.
- Provide plenty of fresh water to offset the saltiness.
- Limit jerky treats to once a week or less.
Your dog will enjoy some yummy jerky as an occasional treat. Just be sure to select a high quality brand made with dogs in mind. And as always, moderation is key when people foods are on the menu. While too much jerky can harm your dog, the occasional responsible taste is fine for most healthy pups.
When in doubt, discuss any diet changes with your veterinarian. They can help you safely incorporate human foods like jerky into your dog’s meal plan. Stay away from the sketchy ingredients, watch those salt levels, and your pup can join in the beef jerky snacking fun!
Your Dog’s Dietary Concerns
You may have already noticed this about your dog, but they don’t respond well to changes in their diets. They require a slow transition even to change the brand of food you feed them. So when you’re thinking about sharing your beef jerky with your dog, think about the flavorings, the amount of salt contained, and also about the overall quality of the product.
Highly processed foods aren’t good for any of us. While we may be able to stomach it, your dog may experience tummy upset. The real problem with beef jerky is the amount of salt in it. The preservatives won’t help your dog.
A large amount of salt in your dog’s blood can lead to sodium poisoning, also called hypernatremia. If they consume too much salt, in an ordinary situation, your dog would simply drink enough water to balance the salt in their blood. But if there is no water available or they consume too much salt too quickly, their cells will desperately release water to combat the ill effects.
The dangers of hypernatremia to your dog are not to be ignored. This condition will destroy their brain cells because of the lack of water. They will suffer headaches, dizziness, and seizures. Additionally, their muscles can become stiff and shaky as they lose moisture and shrivel.
But the worst effects of hypernatremia are the neurological ones. Brain cells get dry when your dog’s cells let go of water to make up for all the extra salt in their blood. Your dog can face going into a coma, convulsions, and death. So, if your dog eats a lot of salt, you should call your vet even if they don’t seem sick. Dehydration can show up in milder forms as excessive thirst, urination, vomiting, muscle spasms, diarrhea, fluid buildup, and a faster heart rate.
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Treatment in Case of Onion or Garlic Consumption
According to the Pet Poison Hotline, if your dog ingests onion or garlic in a quantity that concerns you, you should induce vomiting and give your dog activated charcoal. Further, do blood smears every day to monitor anemia. Blood transfusions are indicated for more severe anemia.
WORST BEEF JERKY ON THE MARKET? | The Jerky Guys Review Jack Links
FAQ
Can my dog eat Jack Links beef jerky?
What happens if my dog eats beef jerky?
Is Jack Link’s beef jerky safe for cats?
Is Jack Link’s beef jerky grass fed?
Can dogs eat Jack Link beef jerky?
Jack Link beef jerky is unsafe for dogs. It contains too much salt and other potentially harmful spices, such as garlic powder. Humans may enjoy it, but the high salt content could be dangerous for your dog.
Does Jack Link jerky contain protein?
Jack Link’s Sweet and Hot Beef Jerky is a good source of protein, with 10g of protein and 80 calories per serving. It’s a flavorful, must-have snack made with 100% beef.
Can dogs eat beef jerky sticks?
Dogs can eat a small amount of beef jerky sticks, but it’s important to be very careful about how they are seasoned. Beef jerky sticks are typically high in salt, so make sure you don’t give them a lot at once. Dogs should not eat peppered beef jerky. Eating a small amount probably won’t hurt them.
Are Jack Link jerky bags resealable?
Each of the two 9 oz. bags of Jack Link’s Beef Jerky is resealable, ensuring that your snack food stays fresh and remains as delicious as the first time you opened the bag! Bring one to work for powering through your 2pm snack break. Protein is an essential part of your diet and Jack Link’s Beef Jerky is a delicious way to get more every day.