The Benefits of Jerky for Your Dog

A common question we get asked is, “Is Jerky safe for dogs?” The answer is two in part. Jerky made for human consumption is usually spiced and should not be given to a dog. Jerky for canine consumption, if made from quality meats, can be a highly recommendable, nutritious dog treat.

So What is Jerky Made of?

Jerky is meat, poultry or fish cut into strips and then dried to prevent spoilage. The removal of water makes jerky very lightweight. 1 pound of meat weighs only 3-4 ounces after being made into jerky. The scientific principal at play when preserving food by drying is that by removing moisture, enzymes cannot efficiently contact or react with the food. This prevents the food from spoiling.

THE BENEFITS OF JERKY FOR YOUR DOG:

Dehydration is a gentle, low-temperature process, which preserves vitamins and other temperature sensitive nutrients better than baking, cooking or frying. Premium jerky is therefore rich in vitamins and nutrients.
Dehydrated meat is a very dense source of protein. Depending on the type of meat used, jerky may consist of over 85 percent high-quality protein.
Single-ingredient jerky for example, made from chicken or turkey breast is extremely lean. This makes this kind of jerky a great treat for dogs on a diet.
Due to the low water content, jerky is relatively tough and chewy. When dogs are gnawing on dehydrated meat, this process supports the removal of plaque and tartar build-up. As a result, this contributes to the overall dental hygiene of canines.
As premium jerky consists entirely of meat, it is a perfectly suitable snack for dogs on a raw diet.

How to tell if Jerky is of Good Quality:

There are two important things to look for:

Single-ingredient (only meat, poultry or fish without additives, fillers or preservatives)
Pure muscle meat (not pressed meat by-products)

Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid jerky treats made in China. Between August 2007, through December 2015, more than 6,200 dogs, 26 cats and three people became severely ill in what is now known as the “melamine scandal”. More than 1,140 of those dogs died. 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.⁴

How Much Jerky can I Give to my Dog?

Jerky treats are not intended to substitute the diet of your canine companion in part or whole. The rule of thumb is that treats should not account for more than 10 percent of the overall daily calorie intake of a dog. This is also a good guide when giving jerky to your dog.

Like with all other treats and chews, it is also recommended to supervise your dog when giving any jerky treats. Jerky contains very little water, so your dog may get thirsty when eating jerky treats. Make sure you have access to fresh water before offering a jerky treat to your furry friend!

What Makes Love Your Pet Jerky Special:

Our jerky is the best, high-protein treat that you'll ever find. It's handmade from the finest free-range meats;. Instead of adding liquid smoke flavoring to achieve the signature flavor of jerky, our products are produced in a hickory smokehouse-the same way jerky has been traditionally prepared for hundreds of years. Your dog or cat will love every little tasty nibble of our jerky. It's the kind of treat Mother Nature intended for our furry friends; a flavorful source protein, vitamins, minerals and omega fatty acids without added hormones, antibiotics, flavorings, preservatives and pesticides. Now that's jerky perfection!