Alice White
For maximum well-being, dogs need a balanced, healthy diet with a high percentage of meat. Beef is ideal for the nutrition of four-legged gourmets because both the muscle meat and the offal contain important fats, vitamins, and trace elements. We have summarized for you which parts of beef are suitable for dogs and what you should pay attention to during preparation.
Is Beef Healthy For Dogs?
Beef is one of the most common types of meat in dog nutrition. This is due to both the availability of the meat and the nutritional values. The meat and innards of the beef provide your dog with energy and also taste very good to most four-legged friends. These properties make beef a healthy treat for dogs:
- Beef muscle meat is high in calories and provides the dog with important fats and plenty of energy for the day.
- The juicy, red beef muscle meat is particularly rich in vital iron.
- There are fewer calories in organ meats such as beef lung and beef kidney. The beef offal provides the dog with proteins and essential amino acids.
- Beef rumen contains many valuable vitamins, minerals, and trace elements.
Which Dogs Should Avoid Beef?
Beef is suitable for all healthy dogs – from puppies to adult dogs to the elderly. Nevertheless, it can happen that the dog does not tolerate the type of meat. Your dog may develop a food intolerance or allergy to beef at some point in life.
In dogs, intolerance is indicated by gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhea. If your dog shows typical symptoms after consuming beef, see a veterinarian or use hypoallergenic foods.
Which Beef Offal Are Best for Dogs?
Almost all parts of beef are suitable for feeding dogs. The nutritious muscle meat and beef offal are particularly valuable.
Cattle tripe is a very special specialty for dogs because rumen has a particularly high density of vitamins and minerals. As a supplement to the menu, beef tripe can be fed to the dog about once or twice a week and as a snack in between.
Beef lung is particularly suitable for dogs with weight problems because lungs are low in calories compared to muscle meat and are therefore suitable for a low-fat dog diet. Other healthy beef offals to occasionally give your dog are the heart, stomach, kidney, and spleen. Less nutritious but still suitable for consumption are the bladder, udder, larynx, and beef intestine.
Is Raw or Cooked Beef Better for Dogs?
Whether you want to give your dog raw or cooked beef is a matter of taste. Raw feeding is widespread among dog owners because raw beef contains a lot of nutrients, while some valuable vitamins are lost during cooking. However, some dogs tolerate cooked beef better than raw beef.
It is best to try out for yourself which type of preparation is right for you and, above all, for your dog, and pay attention to a wholesome diet. Under no circumstances should you give your four-legged friend spicy leftovers or cooked beef bones, as these can split quickly and lead to injuries.
What Should Be Considered With Dog Food With Beef?
When buying dry feed or wet feed with beef, pay attention to the composition of the feed. Read the label and choose a variety that has the right ratio of lean meat, offal, and vegetables or fruits. Grains or pseudograins and natural additives are also suitable for healthy dogs.
If your dog is sensitive to some types of food, choose a single-origin food that does not contain any other sources of protein besides beef. Chewing products such as dried beef and dried beef scalp are suitable for in-between meals. The scalp is not only a healthy treat, it also contributes to the dental care of your four-legged friend.
