As many dog owners become more educated about what they’re feeding their dogs, many are veering away from the commercial dog food and are going raw: feeding their pets raw meats and vegetables, including raw beef.
But can dogs eat raw beef safely and get the kind of balanced nutrients they need?
If you’re considering going raw, here’s what you need to know about feeding your dog raw beef.
What’s Your Beef?
Before dogs were domesticated, they ate everything raw. The ancestors of the modern dog hunted and scavenged for food in the wild. This is where the current belief in feeding dogs raw food is rooted – that dogs ate raw food and thrived. Even though they may be far removed from their wild roots, that craving for unadulterated nutrition still lives within their DNA.
In this modern era, the raw food diet is called the BARF diet. It’s not as gross as it sounds! It stands for Bones And Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. So it’s not just about eating raw beef, it’s about an entire diet based around raw foods like:
- Bones
- Raw meat (chicken, duck, lamb, etc.)
- Eggs
- Organs (liver, tripe, etc.)
- Fruits and vegetables
- Selected dairy products
BARF is about feeding us a combination of these, not just raw beef.
Benefits Of A Raw Diet For Dogs
BARF remains a controversial topic for some dog owners. Some owners and vets prefer commercial dog food since they believe that it provides the most direct path for easy, balanced nutrition, and there’s nothing wrong with that either. But fur-parents who have been feeding their four-legged companion’s raw food have experienced benefits that they didn’t seem to get from commercially processed food, among them:
High in Protein
Raw beef contains a lot of protein which is important for a dog’s skin and coat. But not only that, protein plays a big part in overall wellness. That’s why dogs need a high dose of protein in their diet and animal meat is a great source of that.
Shiny coats and Healthy Skin
Because of the high protein and fat content of raw beef, dogs that eat raw food get healthier coats that really shine. It also promotes better skin health, making them less prone to skin diseases.
Clean teeth
Eating raw beef and bones can do wonders for the canine teeth. Munching on bones help scrape off the tartar and this makes them healthier and their canine smile whiter. And with cleaner teeth and gums come fresher breath! Fur-parents would love that!
High Energy Levels
Another noticeable benefit is the amount of energy that dogs get from eating raw meat. Because of the higher levels of protein, fat, and other nutrients, dogs that consume raw food like meat have more gas in their tank for playing and exercise.
Things to Watch Out For When Considering A Raw Diet For Your Dog
While many believe raw beef or raw food is better, it has its downsides and risks too. Before going for raw beef and a BARF diet, here are a few things that fur-parents need to consider.
Raw Food Can Be Costly
Buying raw beef is going to be more expensive and will increase your monthly expenses. You see, raw beef is only a portion of a well-balanced diet. You need to mix it with other raw foods like other meat, vegetables, fruits, and some dairy.
You also have to consider the quantity of food. If you have big dogs or high-energy dogs, they’ll require more food to sustain their breed’s physical requirements.
Generally, commercial dog food is cheaper than being on a BARF diet. To save on costs, getting beef and other meat from a local butcher shop and other ingredients from a local food market is cheaper than buying from the grocery.
Long Preparation
Unless you’ll be buying the packaged raw food meals, you’ll have to prepare all the meals yourself. After buying all the ingredients, you’ll need to clean them, chop and weigh them to get the right portion for a well-balanced diet. On top of this, raw ingredients expire in anywhere from a few days to a week, which means high planning and replacement costs in order to avoid waste.
It will take effort and time, and if you have both, then it won’t be a problem. But for owners who are always on the go, this might be a challenge. Packaged raw food meals are available and getting more popular which you can buy, but like so many conveniences, owners can expect to pay handsomely for the privilege.
Risk of Infection
This might be the biggest concern about raw beef and other raw meats. There’s always a chance that it might be infected with parasites or bacteria like salmonella. In case of infection, you’ll see symptoms like vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, and fever.
However, dogs in good health can normally handle the bacteria found in raw beef and other meats. Just make sure to get them fresh and clean from a reliable source.
Unbalanced Diet
Raw beef is a great source of the protein that dogs need, but it shouldn’t be the only source of nutrients. A well-balanced diet is important to all dogs, but most especially for high-energy dogs like Border Collies, Siberian Huskies, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, and other breeds that need enough food and nutrients to support their physical requirements.
Combine the raw beef with other meats, organs, and vegetables to make it more balanced. Ideally, raw meat should make up 30% of the meal. Then add the other ingredients making sure they can get calcium and other vitamins and minerals.
Bone Splinters / Punctures
Some parts of raw beef and other raw meat are connected to bones. And no matter the breed, dogs love bones! But dog owners need to be careful with the kind of bones you give.
Cooked bones, especially from poultry, tend to break easily. Because dogs love bones, aggressive chewers will munch on them hungrily. When they break, it can crack their teeth or pierce their gums.
Also, if your dog ends up swallowing splintered bones, it might puncture or block their intestines. Bigger bones can be a choking hazard too. Fur-parents must always choose the right bones to give, or else your dog might have a bone to pick with you!
Not for puppies, old, or sick dogs.
One thing that supporters and non-believers of BARF agree on is that raw food like raw beef is not for every dog. Fur-parents need to consider the age and health condition of their pets.
Raw beef should not be fed to puppies. At this stage, puppies are still developing their bodies and immune system. Puppies rely on their mother’s milk for the calcium needed for bone proper development and other nutrients to help them grow healthy. Puppies should stick to milk first.
For older dogs or dogs with health concerns, the high protein content of raw beef might compound their health issues. Dogs with digestive issues, liver or kidney problems or cancer should never be fed raw beef or other raw food.
How To Feed Raw Beef To Your Dog
If you’re decided on feeding your dog raw beef and go BARF, here are a few tips on how to make it a great experience for your fur-baby.
Keep It Fresh
Make sure to get your beef from a reliable source. Beef that’s from a healthy cow that’s freshly delivered ensures that you get a clean and safe source of protein. Butcher shops are good places to look for fresh beef and other meat.
Add Variety
Don’t stick to just beef all the time. Adding other raw meats like chicken, fish, organs like liver and tripe, all add to the number of nutrients your dog can get. Also, it makes for a more delicious meal!
Keep It Balanced
If you’re the one planning the composition of your dog’s BARF diet, make sure to balance raw beef with other raw food. There are vitamins and minerals that dogs need that raw beef alone can’t provide. Mixing in other raw meats, vegetables, fruits, and selected dairy helps them remain strong and healthy.
Buy Packed Raw Food Meals
If you find all these too inconvenient, you can just go for the packaged raw food products. There are frozen or freeze-dried options that can keep fresh longer while retaining the available nutrients.
Know What Your Dog Needs
Every dog is unique. Feeding raw beef or following BARF is a matter of preference. If you choose to feed your dog raw beef, make sure to ease your dog in, do some research, consult with your vet, and find the best combination of raw food that will benefit your dog the most.