Beef jerky is calorie-dense, but the individual pieces tend to be smaller than many other natural treats putting them at 29-40 calories per treat. I, on the other hand, am appalled. Stories of sick and dying dogs were all over the media. 5 min read 0 Comments. Required fields are marked *. What to Do Before You Get to the Vet in 12 Emergency Dog Situations, 12 Dog Emergencies That Need Immediate Veterinary Attention. I have heard stories of dogs dying after eating jerky intended for humans many decades ago. Thank you for letting me know about beef jerky I have a chihuahua mixed with Shih Tzu and she is hard to find treats for she is hard to find food for I hope I find something that she will eat and love other than people food. The label clearly indicates that the jerky is made of just one single ingredient (chicken breast). Here is the really scary part: nobody knows why jerky treats make dogs sick. The analogy between grapes and jerky may actually be a very good one. Every once in a while I stop by my local big chain pet store to seewhats new in the dog and cat product world. Wake up people, China is not our friend. It seems likely that, once identified, the causative agent will prove to be a chemical which is relatively safe in humans, but that dogs are particularly susceptible to however, until this agent is known, there is no way to say which types or brands of jerky are safe, and which are not. The most effective treatment for acute kidney injuries of any cause is rapid diagnosis and supportive therapy usually hospitalisation, high rate intravenous fluids (a drip), and very careful monitoring. Cant prove it was the treats but she had been in good health and was just 9 years old. Its not as bad as the 2007 melamine scandal yet, but its bad: jerky treats are sickening and killing dogs. Time to get excited about our new collection for Men! This leads to aberrations in glucose, potassium, and pH. Jerky treats are not intended to substitute the diet of your canine companion in part or whole. Later, he became ill again, and went into stage 4 kidney failure very quickly and had to be put to sleep. The rule of thumb is that treats should not account for more than 10 percent of the overall daily calorie intake of a dog. Ellen is currently based in Somerset and in her free time enjoys yoga, reading, travel, and modern calligraphy! I recommend them as the best and healthiest treat for dogs. Though most beef jerky products contain 100% beef and are grain-free, the most common food allergies in dogs are to beef, chicken, dairy, and wheat, with some dogs allergic to more than one ingredient. Ellen is an Australian vet who is currently combining her love of writing with traveling and working across the UK as a relief vet. Home All Posts News and Comment Are jerky treats really bad for my dog? Alterations in urinating and drinking are the most common early signs, and symptoms often appear within hours or at most a few days of eating a treat. Ellen graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2012 and is passionate about all things small animal health. The problem was initially considered to be an issue with Chinese chicken jerky. However, it is now known that duck, sweet potato, and dried fruit jerkies also can cause illness. Dogs systems dont do well with abrupt changes, which is why even changing your dogs regular food requires a slow transition from one brand to another. immune-mediated disease or currently receiving chemotherapy) unless otherwise advised by your vet. After being hospitalized for two days and being treated with iv fluids the vet recommended she be euthanized. Viegas J: Neanderthals made mammoth jerky. The evidence is increasing that there is some component in some types of jerky treats that can make dogs very, very ill. Some companies also advise feeding them on a stain-resistant surface. While the fear of inferior and possibly dangerous jerky treats is understandable, that doesnt mean you should blindly substitute suspect dog treats with your favorite teriyaki or peppered jerky. As jerky contains little to no water, your dog may get thirsty when eating jerky treats. Any dog owner can recognize the signs: your pooch is hardcore begging for some delicious people food. Drying is one of the oldest forms of food preservation known to humankind. small percentage of dogs are allergic to specific food ingredients, 5,000 cases of illness in dogs (plus some in cats and people) and over 1,000 deaths associated with pet jerky treats, Nutritional Information for Beef Jerky Dog Treats, Downsides & Risks of Beef Jerky Treats for Dogs. It is therefore very important that your vet rules out other possible causes before you conclude that a jerky treat is responsible. Despite the theories, jerky illness in dogs remains a complete mystery. A few years back remember all the lead found in children's toys from China sent to the US? They contain only the meat of the species stated. This makes it difficult to say which brands of jerky-style treats are safe and which are not, which is why many pet owners are avoiding feeding these treats altogether. Thanks for your comment. In addition to the usual risks of bacterial contamination and the potential choking hazard of any natural chewable treat, there have also been cases of Fanconi-like Syndrome, Thyrotoxicosis and even deaths associated with feeding jerky-style treats to dogs., Any chewable treat can be a possible choking hazard, especially if an inappropriate size for the dog or its inhaled whilst theyre eating too quickly. Registration confirmation will be emailed to you, By joining the Forum, I agree that I am aged over 18 and that I will abide by the Community Guidelines and the Terms. I cant even imagine how many more have gone undiagnosed. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Larger jerky chews should be halved and given no 1-2 times per week, otherwise smaller pieces can be broken off and used as training treats., Though beef jerky treats are high in protein, your pup needs to get the majority of their nutrition from a high quality complete and balanced puppy food, with treats making up no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake., Beef jerky treats are high in protein and low in fat, but like any treat, it is important to feed them in moderation to prevent obesity., There is still ongoing controversy over jerky-style treats for dogs as the FDA has reported over 5,000 cases of illness including gastrointestinal problems and Fanconi-like Syndrome since 2007. While small levels of salt are necessary to maintain good health, high-salt diets can lead to sodium poisoning. This is also a good guide when giving jerky to your dog. In addition, the symptoms are the same as those seen in other types of acute kidney injury, such as Leptospirosis infection, antifreeze poisoning, and some medications. The puppy has completely recovered. I just shared a bag of beef jerky with my healthy young 2years old boxer 2 days ago and now he is very sick. They can Cause Illness, Even Death, The Best Raw Dog Treats Sourced & Made in the USA, How to Select the Best Low-Fat Dog Treats: A 3-Step Guide, Can Dogs Eat Organ Meats? They also contain magnesium which plays a role in enzyme function as well as signalling between nerves and muscles. How about you bash unethical american companies that outsourced commercial pet foods? Fanconi Syndrome is a form of kidney damage where the kidney tubules are unable to reabsorb sugars, proteins and salts from the urine. I would think the human jerky is better quality? Common to all jerky made for human consumption is that it typically contains salt and is heavily spiced. This prevents the food from turning bad. What about homemade jerky? Fortunately, as long as strangers, friends, and neighbors dont give treats to your dog, the problem is easy to avoid. Hello Jason. A smaller number of dogs suffer from a form of kidney damage that leads to an unusual and formerly rare (except for in Basenjis) problem called Fanconi Syndrome. *, * treats should make up no more than 10% of your pets daily calorie requirement. I do all my own processing and they enjoy the benefits of the ofal. As a result, VPIS has recommended that pet owners should avoid cheap brands of jerky treats, and said that dogs should NOT be given any that originate in China. After feeding my dog treats for approimately 4 weeks she suffered massive kidney failure and had to be put to sleep. The majority of these were made from chicken, however, duck, beef, and sweet potato jerky treats have also been linked. Though labels vary, most manufacturers have labelled their products as safe for puppies over 16 weeks of age. Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid jerky treats made in China. I was feeding my dogs healthy sweet potato jerky treats made in USA and also Canada. Please refer to a licensed pet nutritionist or your veterinarian. Learn why, Omega-3 for Dogs: What is it? The spectrum of producers spans from artisans who hand-craft jerky from exotic meats in small batches, to the mass-produced jerky we typically see near the check-out counters in supermarkets. For these reasons, if youre looking to share your jerky with your pooch, you should stick to natural jerky that is free of any added preservatives, spices or salt. Absolutely! I often intervene, but I cringe when I think about how common the practice is. Talk to anyone at the FDA about how many products from China are on their alert lists. A nose twitch and an escaped drop of drool. Beef jerky treats naturally contain iron which is essential for red blood cells to carry oxygen successfully around the body. Any jerky that has salt, onion, garlic, and all those great human loved spices, etc., is not good for dogs. Using muscle meat in a dehydrator and then oven blasted for 10 minutes on 300 in the oven once finished dehydrating to kill any pathogens unsafe for human handling? Dental chews For a less smelly treat that helps keep those teeth clean, the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VHOC) has a. The first symptom is generally increased urination accompanied by increased thirst. Anything that is highly processed is never good for you or your dog, and that applies to jerky as well. Encyclopedia Britannica. FDA Investigates Animal Illnesses Linked to Jerky Pet Treats. Even though the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has never been able to fully identify the exact root-cause of the illnesses, it was highly associated with the consumption of pet jerky treats imported from China.. There have also been cases in the UK, Europe, and Australia. Beef jerky treats should be used as an occasional treat or reward and should never replace a complete and balanced diet. My neighborhood store has a large area devoted to bulk treats for dogs. The biggest issue with feeding jerky to your dog, however, revolves around the sodium levels. I now make all their treats homemade from 100% organic human -grade ingredients. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In Fact, They Should. Lets Talk About Dogs and Euthanasia: When Is It Time? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It should not be given to a dog. As a result, the UKs Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) have this week issued formal advice (see below). More than 1,140 of those dogs died. Your email address will not be published. Sadly the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has reported over 5,000 cases of illness in dogs (plus some in cats and people) and over 1,000 deaths associated with pet jerky treats since 2007. Science on NBCNEWS.com; 2009. High in protein and low in fat, Beef Jerky Treats can be great for training but are medium-high calorie density and still need to be fed in moderation. Thank you for your great columns. Jerky refers to lean meat (in this case, beef) which has had the fat trimmed away before being slowly dehydrated to increase its shelf-life. However, remember that China bashing is highly de rigueur in todays society. By-products can be an excellent source of nutrition for pets and are more sustainable as they make sure all parts of the animal are used., Certain brands also clearly declare their country of origin (for example, 100% British Beef) making it easy to trace ingredients, but others are less transparent. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even released a report identifying approximately 5,200 complaints and more than 1,140 related canine deaths from 2007 to the end 2015.