What if Your Dog Ate Raw Steak Off the Counter? Is it Dangerous?

Zack Keithy, our author, has been a certified veterinarian technician for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers. Learn more about us here.

I’m a dog person. I love everything about dogs, from their bouncy enthusiasm to their wet nose kisses to the way they look when they sleep. But whenever I hear a “funny” story about someone’s dog getting into something it shouldn’t have, my heart sinks.

Because the truth is that it isn’t funny at all. While dogs are definitely not human children—and are prone to some behaviors we find less than adorable—they also aren’t miniature adults or robots. Like us, they can be susceptible to illness and injury.

That’s why I’m here today with a bit of information you’ll hopefully never need: what if your dog ate raw steak off the counter?

There is a risk to doing that as meat on the counter can allow bacteria to grow on it when it is at room temperature. Bacteria multiply rapidly between 41 and 135 degrees F, posing a serious health risk to your dog.

In this post, I will share the dangers as well as preventative measures you can take.

Can a Dog Get Sick From Eating Raw Meat?

Yes, dogs are not immune to foodborne illnesses, and eating raw meat can make dogs sick.

Remember, this is not just limited to steaks but also raw chicken, pork, hamburger, and pretty much most other meats.

Dogs may become unwell from eating raw meat because it may contain bacteria, parasites, and other toxins.

The following are a few possible health hazards connected to feeding dogs raw meat:

• Bacterial infections: Salmonella and E. coli are two types of bacteria that can contaminate raw meat and cause significant disease in dogs. Spoiled meat is a recipe for disaster!
• Infections caused by parasites: Roundworms and tapeworms, which can affect dogs’ digestion, cause them to lose weight, and result in anemia, can be found in raw meat.

• Nutrients imbalance: An intake of only raw meat can result in an unbalanced diet that is devoid of important elements like calcium and phosphorus.

In general, a diet based on commercial dog food, as opposed to one based on raw meat, is advised for feeding dogs.

In order to lower the danger of bacterial and parasite diseases, remember that you must fully prepare any raw meat you feed your dog.

It’s also crucial to seek advice from a veterinarian or a qualified animal nutritionist to make sure your dog’s diet is balanced and suitable for him.

Risks of Your Dog Eating Raw Meat

1. Digestive problems

If your dog eats raw meat, she’s at risk for some serious gastrointestinal problems.

Raw meat can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and food poisoning—a.k.a. the three worst things about being a dog (sorry to break it to you).

This is a big deal because these symptoms can lead to blockages in the digestive tract or perforation of the intestines.

If you notice any of these symptoms after giving your dog uncooked meat products: call your vet immediately!

Read next: Can Bully Sticks Cause Diarrhea? How To Overcome This?

2. Infection

The bacteria E. coli is found in most cattle, sheep, and goats and it can also be present in other animals like deer, bison, and elk.

This nasty bacteria can cause illness in both dogs and humans if they ingest raw or in undercooked meat, especially beef products.

Symptoms of an E. coli infection include vomiting, diarrhea, and fever that lasts for more than 24 hours after eating the contaminated food.

If a dog ingests raw meat containing this bacterium, the result can be fatal in some cases.

Humans who handle uncooked meat without gloves are also at risk of contracting this dangerous infection!

3. Food poisoning

Food poisoning in dogs is a serious condition that can cause a dog to become very ill and even die.

This is most commonly caused by eating contaminated food or water, but it can also be caused by ingesting toxic substances.

The main symptoms of food poisoning in dogs are vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Sometimes these symptoms appear right away, but other times they may take several days to develop after the initial exposure to the contaminated food or water.

Raw meat can contain bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli that can cause food poisoning in dogs.

Dogs who eat raw meat may develop symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy within 12 to 24 hours of eating contaminated food.

Doggy says, you might like this too: Is Powerbait Poisonous To Dogs?

Signs of a Health Problem if Your Dog Ate Raw Meat

If your dog eats raw meat off the counter, he or she may experience some symptoms of illness.

These include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Increased thirst and urination
• Lethargy
• Increased heart rate
• Fever
• Respiratory problems
• Salivation (drooling)

If your dog ate raw meat, you should spend the next 24 hours watching out for signs of illness and consider taking them to the vet if they do not improve.

Your vet may recommend a blood test to check for toxins in the blood and an X-ray to make sure there are no broken bones caused by vomiting or diarrhea.

What about swallowed bones?

If there are raw bones in the food that your dog ate, they are often harmless (but be sure to keep a close eye).

Cooked bones, on the other hand, can be dangerous since they shatter easily and can be swallowed by the dog.

These can then be stuck in their digestive tracts and cause damage.

My dog ate raw meat and is throwing up

Dogs that consume raw meat may experience digestive problems like vomiting and diarrhea and it can occasionally also result in more severe health issues, such as bacterial infections and parasite illnesses.

You might be able to control the situation at home if your dog is just mildly vomiting and there are no other alarming signs by temporarily withholding food and water before gradually reintroducing small portions of a bland diet (such as boiled chicken and rice).

It’s important to get medical help as soon as you can if your dog is vomiting frequently or exhibiting other unsettling symptoms, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or gastrointestinal pain.

Your veterinarian can identify the reason for the vomiting and offer the proper medication.

How Can I Prevent My Dog From Getting Sick From Raw Meat?

If you’re raw feeding your dog, you should take steps to lower the risk of food poisoning.

Here are some tips you can follow.

Amount of time exposed

Don’t leave raw meat out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if it’s 90 degrees F or above).

Discard any leftovers after 2 hours (1 hour if it’s 90 degrees F or above).

Clean your hands to prevent cross-contamination

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling raw meat or poultry.

Clean all food preparation tools

Wash countertops, cutting boards, utensils, bowls, and anything else that comes into contact with raw meat or poultry with hot soapy water before and after use.

Buy premade raw food

Companies that sell raw dog food diets will go to great lengths to ensure that the food is safe for your dog and that it has fewer bacteria than meat purchased at a supermarket (generally).

One of the best in the market now is Smallbatch, which is well-known for its high-quality feed that is great for protein, low-fat, and made with organic ingredients.

I also highly recommend Stewart’s Pro-Treat freeze-dried beef liver as a tasty snack for your dog.

Keep trash out of reach

Who doesn’t have a dog that likes to poke its nose into the trash bin?

I know I do.

The problem is that things like food scraps start to decompose and can cause a nasty reaction in your dog if they start digging around and eating them.

The best thing to do is to throw trash out of the house as soon as you can or keep them out of reach for your pets.

Consider cooking first

Sure, there are benefits to feeding your dog raw food, but if they are not accustomed to it or maybe they have a weak immune system, cooking the food first is also a good way to serve up a delicious meal for your dog.

What to Do if Your Dog Gets Sick From Eating Raw Steak?

If your dog has eaten raw steak and becomes ill, it’s important to take action right away.

The sooner you can get your dog to a veterinarian, the least likely it will develop into something serious.

First, call your vet. Don’t wait until morning or the next day. Call them immediately and ask for advice.

Then do whatever you can to keep your dog from eating anything else until you visit the vet. Feeding it small amounts of water is fine, but no food.

Chances are, many symptoms will go away in 24 hours, but if you feel or observe otherwise, make a trip to your vet the next day.

If possible, confine him in a small room with no other animals or people, just him or her, and check in every so often.

If it’s vomiting, watch for any blood in the vomit (it could be coming from his stomach).

This is a sign of a very serious problem and you should rush it to the nearest animal hospital.

Are Other Raw Foods Good for Dogs?

Many veterinarians recommend feeding your dog a diet high in protein and fat because it is proven to have lots of benefits for your dog.

For starters, it helps keep their coat healthy and shiny.

A diet high in protein and fat also helps them maintain a healthy weight and avoid obesity.

Raw beef is one of the best sources of protein for a dog’s diet because it contains all the essential amino acids that he needs to stay healthy.

It also has vitamin B12, which helps convert carbohydrates into energy so that your dog can run around all day without feeling tired or sluggish.

But raw meat isn’t the only way to feed your dog a high-protein diet.

Fruits like apples, bananas, and blueberries can provide them with essential nutrients as well as other vitamins and minerals that are important for good health.

Just remember: 90% of calories should come from a well-balanced diet, while the other 10% come from snacks or treats!

Conclusion: What if Your Dog Ate Raw Steak Off the Counter?

If your dog ate a small amount of raw steak, you might not need to do anything at all.

However, if there were steak bones or was a significant portion of your dog’s meal, you should be on the lookout for signs and symptoms that suggest an illness.

If your dog shows any signs described above after eating raw meat, contact your veterinarian right away!