Beef is a possible food allergen for dogs and can cause uncomfortable skin disorders as well as chronic conditions such as indigestion, ear infections, and breathing troubles.
Bacterial contamination is the primary reason raw meats are dangerous for dogs. Some dogs manage to consume contaminated food without becoming ill, but others may become very sick after doing so. It is a very bad idea to deliberately feed your dog raw meat.
Symptoms depend on the type and amount eaten, but may include vomiting, diarrhoea, neurological effects (hallucinations and fitting) and liver or kidney damage. These can appear immediately or several days, even weeks, afterwards.
Affected dogs show signs 30 minutes to 4 hours after ingesting the poison. Initially affected dogs become anxious and have an elevated body temperature. Panting is usually seen. Progressively they become worse and staggery.
Dogs can be allergic to chicken, lamb or beef. Dogs can develop an allergic response to the animal-based proteins contained in the meat. This may cause your dog to be allergic to all types of meat, but not necessarily so.
Even though dogs can get all the necessary nutrition from red meat, feeding it too much animal protein can cause gastrointestinal discomforts. Also, ensure that any red meat that you feed your dog is well cooked. Raw meats can carry pathogens that might be harmful to your dog's health.
Beef is a healthy and staple food for dogs which is why it is featured in many dog foods. However, consistent feeding of beef can lead to the development of a beef allergy. The protein in the beef does not agree with most dogs. The best way to avoid an allergic reaction is to feed your dog a varied and balanced diet.
Among the various types of meat, lamb and chicken provide the most digestible forms of protein for your dog, with beef coming in after that. When looking at a dog food's ingredients label, high-quality dog food will list these protein sources first—lamb, chicken, beef, and some of the by-products of these animals.
How much ground beef should be given to the dog? You should feed your dog around 1/3 pound of ground beef per day for each 20 pound of the dog's weight.
Bacon, Ham and Fat Trimmings
Bacon, bacon grease, ham, and fat trimmed off meat or bones contains a lot of salt and/or fat and at the least can cause indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea in both dogs and cats. These foods can also cause pancreatitis, a serious, potentially deadly inflammation of the pancreas.
Cooked beef can be given as meal toppers or treats. However, you cannot feed your dog only cooked beef every day. Dogs need a complete and balanced diet with the correct proportions of nutrients.
Given that most dogs eat Beef or Chicken, this risk can't be ignored. In fact, a 2016 study by the Biomedical Central Veterinary Research stated that 34% of dogs are reported to have allergies to Beef.
The allergy can manifest as hives, angiodema (swelling of skin and tissue), gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, headaches, a drop in blood pressure, and in certain individuals, anaphylaxis.
Food Allergies
Allergies are a common cause of diarrhea in dogs. Dogs can develop food allergies to any type of food, but some of the most common allergens include beef, dairy, chicken and soy. If your dog is allergic to one of these foods, he or she may experience diarrhea as a result.
The most common proteins dogs are allergic to are beef, chicken, lamb, and wheat. Other less common causes of dog food allergies include soy, eggs, corn, and nuts. Dogs cannot be tested for food allergies like people can.
The study analyzed many other ingredients and listed the following ingredients as the highest frequency of causing skin allergies or an immune system reaction for your dog: Beef (34% of the observed dogs saw signs of allergies) Dairy (17% of the observed dogs saw signs of allergies)
Beef allergy is a very rare condition and not well documented. While severe cases have been documented, research does not account for mild cases that go unknown.
One of the most common treatment options for poisoning in dogs is inducing vomiting. Other treatment may include medication to reduce pain and symptoms, overnight monitoring, or IV's for flushing out the toxins in the system. The cost of treatment can vary from $250 to $5,000.
Typically, mild cases of poisoning have high recovery rates. In severe poisoning cases or cases where treatment was delayed the chance of recovery is extremely low. When pets do recover from severe poisoning there can also be long-term damage to their overall health.
Clinical signs of poisoning in a dog may include: Gastrointestinal signs: vomiting, diarrhea, extreme salivation, loss of appetite, and nausea or dry heaving. Internal bleeding: indicated by pale gums, a racing heart, coughing up or vomiting blood, weakness or lethargy, or a dog's falling over or collapsing.
Common meats to avoid are any processed meats like sausage, bologna, hot dogs etc. Also avoid giving your dog any rib bones as they are extremely brittle and can damage your dog's stomach and throat.