Beef jerky is no wonder the absolute favorite of all pups, including the majestic Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Although, apart from their taste, many pet parents have time and again showed their concern regarding this delicious snack. Therefore, today in this blog, we will be unveiling certain misconceptions regarding beef jerky. Without further ado, let’s dive into the topic.
Yes, beef jerky is safe for your beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. This delicious treat is made primarily from marinated beef and hence is a rich source of protein. Moreover, to make it even more scrumptious, dog-friendly tastes are also added to the composition. Thus, not only does the jerky caters to the nutritional requirements of your pupper but also leaves a delectable test in their palette that they just can’t get enough of.
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What are dog beef jerky made up of?
Unlike their human-specific counterparts, beef jerky for dogs is essentially salt and additives free. Although some flavors may be added to improve the overall flavor, these dog-friendly jerky are made by marinating and drying the beef for long hours. This is then forwarded to specific machines that offer them the final shape, which we see as we open the packets.
Thus basically consisting of dry meat, such as heart, gullet, and lungs, these jerky are high in essential proteins and have low fat. Your pooch will most definitely like this little snack, as the need for thorough chewing helps stimulate their jaws and mind. It is also best advised for pet parents who have to spend hours away from their fur babies. Proper administration of the snack has also been proven to help reduce home wreck mishaps when your King Charles Spaniel is bored and home all alone.
How often should I feed Beef Jerky to my pup?
Even though beef jerky is safe for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, offering them in moderation is what is best. Given their composition, they are best only as occasional treats and nothing more. So, allowing your adorable pumpkin to have a bite of this scrumptious treat twice a week is nothing to be worried about.
Beef jerky comes in many sizes, colors, and varieties. Some may seem like sticks, while others may have a shape similar to beef jerky designed for human consumption. Thus, depending upon their size, shape, composition, and other essential factors, a single stick can serve the purpose.
However, be aware. If your pup finishes the stick and whines for more with their puppy-doe eyes, never fall into the temptation. It may keep them busy and happy for a limited amount of time, but the repercussions will be severe.
Are there any side effects of beef jerky?
Sadly, not all beef jerky marketed as ‘dog-friendly’ actually serve the purpose. Many profit-minded companies intentionally add spices and flavors that are harmful to dogs to marketize their products better. Because of this, many reputable and reliable pet parents have frequently stressed the importance of feeding your Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with beef jerky that are specially made for them or cooking up one yourself.
Below are some of the most common side-effects associated with bad beef jerky:
- Upset stomach
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Diarrhea with mucus
- Vomiting and slight fever
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
While the symptoms mentioned above are not so severe, extreme cases might lead to allergic shocks or death when not treated correctly.
Why are heavily processed beef jerky bad for dogs?
Anything heavily processed is bad for all, whether it’s your lovely Cavalier King Charles Special or even you. So, investing in cheap brands just to save a few bucks will for sure lead to severe consequences in the later stage.
Composition
No second company makes the same product as their competitor, and hence it is common to find specific variations in the beef jerky of all brands. And that is where the problem arises. In a bid to come out unique, some companies don’t focus on what they are adding to the jerky, thereby including foods that are fatally harmful to the Spaniels. Even though such a little consumption won’t incur life-threatening situations, it will be enough to make them sick.
Salt and spices
Every pet parent knows that salt and spices are one of the leading causes of the early demise of pets all around the world. Even if they seem normal to us, if you add salt, sugar and spices into your pooch’s food for flavor, then it’s high time to stop. The same also goes for treats or jerky. So, while sodium is essential for their healthy life, too much sodium, like that found in certain brands, will make your Spaniel sad and unhealthy. They will end up having kidney and liver issues requiring you to arrange super-expensive vet services.
Silica gel packets
Another reason why administering beef jerky from stores isn’t much-hyped amongst pet parents is because of silica gel packets. They are small, white packets with silica inside, which is generally put inside to maintain the contents’ freshness. However, most people don’t know that the packs are super harmful to both humans and dogs. If the Spaniel swallows the packet along with the sticks, a higher chance is that you will require an emergency vet trip.
Therefore, to avoid such instances, it is better to cook your homemade beef jerky and have them offered as small treats occasionally. That way, you will have to worry about neither their composition nor their freshness.
How to make Beef Jerky for dogs at home?
Well, if you are a conscious pet parent and won’t mind spending a few more minutes in the kitchen to prepare something special for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, then this recipe is for you. Formulated by the famous Kiki Kane, the recipe can be used for all kinds of jerky, including chicken, beef, salmon or any other lean piece of meat you can get your hands upon. So, let’s start with the basics.
For preparing a homemade beef jerky, you will need:
- A lean piece of beef with little or nil marbling
- 1 cup of unsweetened pineapple juice
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup pet-friendly apple cider vinegar
- Few drops of fish sauce for flavor
- A pinch of powdered ginger
Now next moving on to the preparation part:
Step 1: Before starting with the main steps, removing excess fat and discarding water from the meat is essential. Once done, slice the parts into whatever shape you may like. But make sure they are thin enough to dry faster.
Step 2: Leave the meat pieces marinated in the refrigerator for 4-24 hours. This will allow the solution to enter the nooks and crannies, making sure the meat is ready for complete dehydration.
Step 3: Next, preheat your dehydrator or oven to the lowest setting as higher settings may burn out any and every nutrient from the meat.
Step 4: Before subjecting the meat to a dehydrator, make sure to remove the excess solution by using a good-quality paper towel. You may also want to place each tray amply spaced from each other to ensure that the heat is evenly passed on. Keep the dehydrator or oven on a timer for at least 4 hours.
Step 5: Finally, check the dehydration level before packing them into small bags. Depending upon the dehydration of the meat, you might want to add a few more minutes to have them properly dehydrated. Properly dehydrated beef jerky will have a dark, consistent color and be shrunk into half the size.
Homemade beef jerky can be refrigerated in an airtight container for a week or two without having to worry about its freshness. For more extended periods, storing them in pet-friendly zip-lock bags is also considered excellent.
We hope that we have successfully cleared all your doubts regarding this delicious high-protein treat for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels through this blog. If you would like us to discuss other pet treats or foods, don’t forget to comment below.
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