Canines enjoy different types of protein, but beef is undeniably one of their favorites. The good news is that it’s simple to give your furry friend a diet that includes beef, as many dog foods contain this protein as their primary ingredient.
This doesn’t imply that you should immediately purchase the first dog food made of beef that you encounter. Though numerous high-quality dog foods contain beef as an ingredient, a variety of inferior beef dog foods are also available in the market.
Below, we will attempt to assist you in differentiating the favorable options from the negative ones and provide suggestions for the top-notch beef dog foods on the market.
- Pet Plate Barkin’ Beef [Best Fresh Beef Option] This freshly-cooked, human-grade dog food features real beef as the #1 ingredient, along with a host of fresh veggies.
- American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato [Best Quality + Affordability]. This nutritious, grain-free recipe boasts a mix of animal protein sources such as deboned beef, chicken meal, and turkey meal.
- Honest Kitchen Ranch-Raised Beef [Best Dehydrated Option] . This beef-based recipe is made with human-grade ingredients and includes no byproducts, preservatives, GMO ingredients, hormones or antibiotics
Five of the Best Beef Dog Foods
Among the dog food options available, there are several beef-based varieties, but the most outstanding five are listed below.
Make sure to select the option that is most likely to fulfill the individual requirements of your pooch – all of them are suitable.
1. Merrick Texas Beef & Sweet Potato
Merrick Texas Beef & Sweet Potato
High protein, meat-packed dog food
The primary ingredients listed in this high-quality recipe are deboned beef, lamb meal, and salmon meal, which make up 65% of the mixture alongside nutritious fats.
Merrick Texas Beef & Sweet Potato is a dog food that is devoid of grains and rich in protein, which satisfies your dog’s nutritional needs while also offering a flavor that the majority of dogs enjoy.
Merrick Texas Beef & Sweet Potato is formulated to offer dogs the type of meat-centric diet that they require and delight in.
2. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Beef
Nutro Essentials Beef & Brown Rice
High-quality mid-priced dog food
A recipe containing non-GMO ingredients made in the USA features beef and pork meal for protein and hearty brown rice, and is inclusive of grains.
The Nutro Wholesome Essentials brand offers simple and wholesome food made with real meats and healthy grains, ensuring that your dog receives everything necessary and avoids unnecessary additives.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials uses a combination of beef and porkmeal as protein sources, enticing your dog’s taste buds while providing him with all the necessary amino acids to sustain his health and happiness.
3. Honest Kitchen Ranch-Raised Beef
Honest Kitchen Ranch-Raised Beef
Grain-free, dehydrated dog food
The dehydrated meal, made using ingredients suitable for human consumption, contains beef as its primary component.
The Honest Kitchen Ranch-Raised Beef Dog Food is a grain-free, dehydrated product manufactured in the USA and composed solely of ingredients appropriate for human consumption.
Characteristics: The foods from Honest Kitchen are unlike traditional kibbles in that they require rehydration with warm water before feeding your dog to enhance their taste.
4. American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato
American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato
Affordable grain-free recipe
This recipe contains an impressive range of protein sources, including deboned beef, chicken meal, and turkey meal.
American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato is a type of dog food that is both nutritious and grain-free, containing several types of protein sources and healthy carbohydrates.
American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato has an impressive list of ingredients that fulfill almost all the requirements that pet owners desire in their pet’s food.
5. Pet Plate Barkin’ Beef
Pet Plate Barkin’ Beef
Freshly-cooked, veterinarian-designed meals
The primary ingredient in this newly-made, top-quality recipe is genuine beef. Beef liver and salmon oil are also included, providing an ample supply of omega-3 fatty acids.
Pet Plate is a food delivery service that prepares meals for dogs according to their breed and age. The meals are freshly cooked and designed by veterinarians. There are four recipe options, one of which is called Barkin’ Beef, which we will elaborate on later.
Pet Plate’s Barkin’ Beef is a straightforward and wholesome formula produced using a small selection of ingredients.
The Benefits of Beef For Dogs
Feeding your dog a beef-based dog food doesn’t require a specific reason as most dogs trust and prefer beef as their primary meat protein.
Due to its relatively low cost, beef is a popular protein choice among dog food manufacturers for their recipes.
Nonetheless, there exist two scenarios where beef could be the optimal choice for your doggy.
Underweight Dogs
Dogs can benefit from consuming beef as it is high in calories and fat, making it an ideal food for increasing weight. In comparison to other protein sources found in dog food, beef contains the second highest amount of calories and the highest amount of fat per ounce.
It cannot be generalized that beef-based dog foods always contain higher fat and calories compared to those made from chicken or any other protein, as there are several factors to consider. Nevertheless, if you compare two comparable recipes from a single manufacturer, the beef-based food is likely to offer more fat and calories than its counterparts.
If your dog requires extra weight or is recuperating from an ailment, it may be worthwhile to give careful thought to dog food that is beef-based.
Picky Pups
It is evident that beef is a highly favored source of protein for humans, and canines also generally enjoy the flavor of it. Therefore, it is an ideal choice for dogs that are finicky eaters, which can be frustrating for their owners to deal with.
The reason for dogs’ preference for beef remains unclear. Perhaps it is due to evolutionary factors that make them inclined towards calorie-rich and fatty foods, or it could simply be a fluke of nature.
It is a good thing that the reason behind dogs’ preference for beef is not significant. Just make use of this information when trying to feed a fussy dog.
BONUS: Vet-Approved Homemade Dog Recipe
Due to the constant changes in information and recalls regarding commercial dog food, an increasing number of dog owners are choosing to prepare their own dog food at home. Although dogs enjoy home-cooked meals, it’s crucial to adhere to certain guidelines to ensure your furry friend remains healthy as making homemade dog food is different from cooking for humans.
Should You Feed a Homemade Diet?
The popularity of homemade diets is increasing due to the ability to control the ingredients and avoid potential dog food recalls. Additionally, individuals are seeking healthier dietary choices for themselves and for their pets, which is why homemade diets are preferred by some as they are made with whole food ingredients that are perceived to be healthier than processed dog food.
Before switching your dog to a homemade diet, it’s important to take certain factors into consideration as home cooking dog food may not be suitable for everyone.
- Be sure to find a dog food recipe that is complete and balanced. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to feed an incomplete or imbalanced diet to your dog.
- It takes time to measure ingredients and prepare the food correctly. Be sure you have a schedule that allows enough time to properly make your dog’s food on a regular basis.
- Make sure you can afford the ingredients to make your own dog food. Homemade food is typically less expensive than commercially prepared fresh or raw dog food, but it usually costs a little more than kibble.
- If you have a picky dog, you may need to source multiple recipes so you can change the diet periodically and keep your dog interested.
Proper Nutrition for Dogs
Similar to humans, dogs require proper nutrition to thrive. However, their nutritional necessities differ from ours, and feeding them with your own meal is not advisable. Providing your dog with an incomplete or unbalanced diet may result in vitamin and nutrient deficiencies.
For dogs to satisfy their energy needs, they require an adequate intake of calories that varies depending on their activity level and life stage. Consulting with your veterinarian will enable you to determine the daily caloric requirement for your dog.
For a homemade dog diet to be complete and balanced, it is essential to include the right combination of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat, as well as the necessary vitamins and minerals.
- At least 10% protein , such as chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef
- Up to 50% carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta , and potatoes (also provides some fiber)
- About 2.5-4.5% fiber , which can come from vegetables like peas, green beans, and carrots
- At least 5.5% fat , usually in the form of vegetable oil
- Vitamin and mineral supplements (dog-specific; can be purchased from a reputable company like BalanceIT.com )
To begin cooking food for your dog, the initial measure is to consult with your veterinarian. Your vet can offer some recipes for you to experiment with or suggest a referral to a specialized veterinary nutritionist or a vet who specializes in canine nutrition.
How to Prepare Homemade Food for Dogs
It is crucial to use a complete and balanced recipe when making your dog’s diet at home. After selecting the appropriate recipe with your veterinarian, it is time to begin the preparation process.
- Before you begin, it’s best if you have ready a food scale, food processor, pots and pans, and containers or bags for portioning the food.
- Purchase fresh, high-quality ingredients that are not canned, seasoned, or heavily processed.
- Set yourself up in a clean area of the kitchen that is free of foods that may be harmful to your dog .
- Measure out the ingredients. Use a food scale if possible for accuracy.
- Cook ingredients as directed on the recipe
- Mix food and supplements together well (ideally, use a food processor to blend ingredients).
- Place food in containers and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
- In general, refrigerated food will stay fresh for three to four days. Frozen dog food is best within about two months. Avoid feeding homemade dog food that has been in the freezer for more than six months.
Making food in larger quantities and storing them in pre-measured containers is a practical option for pet owners aiming to save time and money. However, it’s advisable to start with smaller quantities to observe how your dog responds to this diet.
Sample Dog Food Recipes
Northwest Holistic Pet Care: Cooked Meal for a 20 lb. Dog
It is crucial to seek advice from your holistic veterinarian before altering your dog’s diet to confirm that the changes will not be detrimental to their present health condition. Evaluate your dog’s weight prior to modifying their diet to establish a starting point; keeping a record of their weight will aid you in regulating their quantities in case of excessive weight gain or loss. The quantity of food your dog needs will differ based on their physical activity, age, and general state of health.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ground organic turkey thigh (boneless)
- 2 tbsp ground organic turkey organ meat (liver, gizzards, hearts)
- ¼ c finely grated organic veggies
- 1 tsp ground raw sunflower seeds
- ½ tsp organic coconut oil
- ½ tsp salmon oil
- 500 mg Calcium Citrate (*must include this!)
Make modifications to the ingredient quantities depending on the weight and level of activity of your canine. The proportions mentioned earlier are applicable to a dog weighing 20 lbs who is not very active. In the case of vigorous activity, a dog’s caloric demands may increase significantly. It is essential to keep track of your dog’s weight and make changes to the meal sizes to fulfill their caloric needs.
- 40 lb. Dog: Above amounts x 2
- 60 lb. Dog: Above amounts x 3
- 80 lb. Dog: Above amounts x 4
Directions:
Boil vegetables and keep aside. Lightly sauté the turkey thigh and internal organs over medium-low heat. Take off the stove when the majority of meat changes color to white, leaving some pinkish. Put the boiled veggies in a food processor or a sanitized coffee grinder and pulse till it is finely shredded. Combine all components and confirm that the blend has cooled sufficiently before serving.
Hints: The life force of food diminishes due to the heat generated while cooking. Partial cooking at a low temperature can help preserve more of the food’s life force without sacrificing digestibility. You can make vegetables easier to digest and get the most out of their nutrients by blanching and finely grating them. This is particularly beneficial for certain pets that struggle with raw food.
