As a dog owner and Arby’s fan you may have wondered can dogs eat Arby’s famous roast beef sandwiches? This is an important question to ask before tossing your pup a bite of your Beef ‘n Cheddar or feeding them the leftovers from your drive-thru order.
The short answer is yes, dogs can eat Arby’s roast beef in moderation Lean roast beef can be a healthy source of protein and other nutrients for dogs. However, there are some things to consider before sharing your Arby’s with your four-legged friend
In this article we’ll discuss everything you need to know about feeding Arby’s roast beef to dogs, including
- The nutritional value of Arby’s roast beef for dogs
- Potential risks and precautions
- How much roast beef can dogs eat safely?
- Best practices for serving roast beef to dogs
- Other Arby’s menu items dogs can and can’t eat
Arm yourself with the facts so you can enjoy your Arby’s while safely sharing a few bites with your pup!
Can Dogs Eat Roast Beef in General?
Before diving into Arby’s specifically, let’s look at the bigger picture: is beef okay for dogs to eat?
The answer is yes, beef can be a healthy part of your dog’s diet. Beef is a good source of high-quality protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins for dogs. Lean cuts of beef are safest, as high fat content can cause pancreatitis in dogs.
Both the American Kennel Club and ASPCA say lean beef is fine for dogs in moderation. Beef should never make up more than 15% of your dog’s total daily calories though.
So in reasonable amounts, beef is perfectly safe for dogs to eat. Now let’s look at Arby’s roast beef specifically.
Can Dogs Eat Arby’s Roast Beef?
The roast beef served at Arby’s is lean and minimally processed. This makes it a healthy beef option you can feel good about sharing with your dog.
Arby’s roasts their beef in-house each day. Their classic roast beef and Smokehouse Brisket are both made from top round roast, one of the leanest beef cuts. Arby’s coats the roast beef in basic seasonings like salt, garlic, and pepper before roasting.
So the roast beef itself is healthy, wholesome, and fine for dogs. However, some preparation methods and toppings make certain menu items better for dogs than others. We’ll outline which items are safest later in this article.
First, let’s look at the nutritional merits and potential risks of feeding Arby’s roast beef to dogs.
Nutritional Value of Arby’s Roast Beef for Dogs
A 3-ounce serving of Arby’s roast beef provides the following nutrients:
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 4g
- Iron: 15% DV
- Zinc: 30% DV
- Vitamin B12: 15% DV
- Vitamin B6: 15% DV
As you can see, roast beef is a excellent source of protein and important vitamins/minerals for dogs. The protein supports strong muscles and the vitamins aid metabolism, immune health, and energy levels.
The minimal fat content is optimal for dogs, as fatty meats can trigger acute pancreatitis. Arby’s roasts lean cuts of beef specifically to keep the fat content low.
So nutritionally speaking, the roast beef served at Arby’s is a healthy option to share occasionally with your dog. Moderation is key though, as too much beef can lead to weight gain or digestive upset in dogs.
Potential Risks of Feeding Arby’s Roast Beef to Dogs
While roast beef is safe for dogs in moderation, there are some potential risks to keep in mind:
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Pancreatitis – High fat meats increase dogs’ risk for developing this painful, potentially fatal condition. Arby’s roasts lean beef to minimize fat, but skip any sauces.
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Gastrointestinal upset – Too much beef or spice can cause diarrhea or vomiting in some dogs. Introduce new foods slowly.
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Weight gain – Roast beef has more calories than many commercial dog foods. Adjust portion sizes to prevent obesity.
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Bones – Beef bones easily splinter and can puncture dogs’ intestines. Never give dogs bones from your Arby’s meal.
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Toxic toppings – Some toppings like onions are toxic for dogs. Avoid menu items with unsafe ingredients.
As long as you moderate portions and avoid fatty sauces or toxic toppings, the roast beef itself is safe for most dogs. Introduce new foods slowly and monitor your dog’s reaction.
Now let’s look at how much Arby’s roast beef dogs can eat safely.
How Much Arby’s Roast Beef Can Dogs Eat?
When giving your dog any “people food” like roast beef, portion control is key. Avoid overfeeding to prevent weight gain or stomach issues.
As a general guideline, the ASPCA recommends the following daily portion sizes for lean meat for dogs:
- Small dogs: 1 ounce or less
- Medium dogs: 2 ounces or less
- Large dogs: 3 ounces or less
- Giant dogs: 4 ounces or less
A standard Arby’s roast beef sandwich contains around 3 ounces of meat. So a small or medium dog should eat no more than 1/3 of a sandwich at a time.
For large or giant breeds, half a sandwich or less is an appropriate single portion.
Ideally, split servings over multiple days. The portions above are for lean roast beef ONLY – do not feed that much if giving your dog any fatty sauces or bread.
Remember treats and table scraps should make up no more than 10-15% of your dog’s total daily calories. Reduce their regular food accordingly on days when enjoying Arby’s with your pup.
Now let’s go over some tips for serving Arby’s roast beef safely to dogs.
Tips for Serving Arby’s Roast Beef to Dogs
Follow these tips for safely feeding Arby’s roast beef to your dog:
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Remove bones – Beef bones easily splinter and can puncture intestines or cause choking. Never feed dogs any bones from your Arby’s meal.
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Avoid fatty sauces – Items like the Beef ‘n Cheddar or French Dip have high-fat sauces that may cause pancreatitis in dogs. Skip the sauce.
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Watch sodium content – The roast beef itself is low sodium, but sauces and sandwiches add a lot of salt. This can cause excessive thirst/urination.
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Pick plain items – Simple roast beef or Smokehouse Brisket have fewer add-ons that may not agree with your dog.
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Steer clear of toxic toppings – Onions, garlic, and raisins/grapes on some menu items can harm dogs. Avoid those ingredients.
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Introduce slowly – Start with just a bite or two to check for any allergic reaction or stomach upset.
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Use small pieces – Cut roast beef into bite-size bits. Large chunks are choking hazards for dogs.
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Moderate portions – Stick to the recommended 1-4 ounces based on your dog’s size to prevent obesity.
Following these tips will allow you to safely share small portions of your Arby’s roast beef with your dog. Some menu items are safer choices than others too.
Best and Worst Arby’s Menu Items for Dogs
Not all Arby’s menu items are created equal when it comes to sharing with your dog. Here are the best and worst options:
Best Arby’s Items for Dogs
- Plain roast beef or Smokehouse Brisket
- Junior roast beef sandwich
- Market Fresh® salad with roast beef
Worst Arby’s Items for Dogs
- Beef ‘n Cheddar (high-fat cheese sauce)
- French Dip and Swiss (fatty Swiss cheese, au jus sauce)
- Reuben (sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing)
- Jamocha Shake (chocolate is toxic to dogs)
- Loaded Curly Fries (toxic onions)
In general, the roast beef and Smokehouse Brisket themselves are fine, but avoid additional high-fat sauces, cheeses, and fried items. Also steer clear of sandwiches with onions, garlic, raisins, or chocolate.
Focus on lean proteins and skip the unhealthy extras whenever sharing Arby’s with your dog. A few bites of roast beef as an
The Truth About Arby’s Roast Beef
FAQ
Is it okay to feed my dog roast beef?
Can dogs eat beef slices?
Can dogs eat cooked seasoned beef?
Can I give my dog raw chuck roast?
Can dogs eat Arby’s roast beef?
While plain Arby’s roast beef may be okay for dogs in moderation, it’s important to avoid any seasonings or sauces that may come with it. Most fast food restaurants use high amounts of salt and other additives in their recipes which aren’t healthy for pets. Stick with plain cooked meat whenever possible.
Can dogs eat roast beef?
While it’s not recommended to make fast food a part of their regular diet, a small piece of roast beef as an occasional treat won’t harm them. Just be sure to avoid feeding them anything that contains onions or garlic, as these can be toxic for dogs. When it comes to giving your dog any kind of human food, portion control is key.
How bad is Arby’s roast beef?
Take a peek at Arby’s nutritional information, and you’ll find there’s a way to eat pretty well — and there are plenty of ways to eat very, very badly. Take the Classic Roast Beef, and you’ll find it’s not terrible for you. It’s only 360 calories and 14 grams of fat, which is pretty good for a fast food sandwich.
Does Arby’s have roast beef?
You’ll really have ALL the meats!! Update, January 6, 2021: It’s baaaaaackkk. If you suddenly have the craving for a LOT of roast beef, then you’re in luck. Arby’s has announced its most massive deal is back, i.e. you can get five of its classic roast beef sandwiches for $10 right now.