There is no doubt that dogs can and should eat raw beef. This lean, tasty meat protein is good for them all the way down to their tails.
Ground beef is a nutritious and affordable meat that many dog owners like to supplement their pet’s diet with or even use as the main protein source in a raw food diet But how much raw ground beef should you feed your dog? There are a few factors to consider when determining the right amount
Typical Feeding Guidelines
As a general rule of thumb, aim to feed about 1/3 pound of raw ground beef per day for every 20 pounds of your dog’s body weight. So for example:
- For a 40 lb dog, feed around 2/3 lb ground beef per day
- For a 60 lb dog, feed around 1 lb ground beef per day
- For an 80 lb dog, feed around 1 1/3 lbs ground beef per day
These amounts can be split into two meals fed about 12 hours apart. Puppies and highly active dogs may need slightly more, while seniors and couch potatoes may need a bit less. Monitor your individual dog’s appetite, energy, and weight and adjust amounts accordingly.
Factor In Your Dog’s Caloric Needs
The exact amount of ground beef to feed also depends on your dog’s caloric needs. This is influenced by their age activity level metabolism, and other factors. On average, dogs need 30 calories per pound of body weight per day.
An 85% lean 15% fat ground beef contains around 530 calories per pound. So if your 50 lb dog needs 1500 calories per day, they would eat approximately 0.9 lbs of ground beef daily. Dogs who are more active require more calories while less active dogs require less.
Choose the Leanest Ground Beef
When choosing ground beef for dogs, select the leanest option possible. Leaner cuts with less fat allow you to feed more meat without providing excess calories. 85-95% lean ground beef is ideal. Extra fat will just be excreted out which is wasteful and could cause GI upset.
Combine With Other Meats
While ground beef makes a tasty treat, it shouldn’t be the only protein source in your dog’s raw diet Variety is important to provide a complete nutritional profile Rotate in other meats like chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, organ meats or game meats for variety.
Or you can combine 50% ground beef with 50% other proteins like chicken livers or hearts when making a batch of food for the week. Adding organ meats provides vital nutrients. Always keep the diet as varied as possible.
Supplement With Vegetables
In addition to rotating proteins, adding in raw shredded vegetables helps replicate whole prey nutrition and adds fiber. Good veggies to include are carrots, broccoli, spinach, green beans, and zucchini. Limit starchy veggies like peas, corn, or potatoes.
Aim for around 5-10% fruits and veggies in the overall diet. Lightly steam cruciferous veggies to aid digestion. Too much veggies may impact nutrient absorption.
Grind Raw Bones For Calcium
Whole raw meaty bones are ideal but ground bones can add calcium to balance raw meat diets. Use a meat grinder to finely grind raw chicken necks, wings, or rabbit bones. Add 10% ground bones to provide calcium without constipation risk from large shards.
Never feed cooked bones as they splinter and pose a dangerous choking hazard. Also avoid weight bearing bones of large animals that are too dense. Stick to softer raw bones of poultry, small game or fish.
Transition Gradually From Kibble
If transitioning from kibble to a raw food diet, do so gradually over 2-3 weeks. Start by substituting 25% of the previous kibble meal with raw ground beef. Slowly increase the amount while decreasing kibble over a period of weeks.
Take it slowly to allow the dog’s digestive system time to adjust to the change in texture and nutrient profile. Gradually transitioning avoids GI upset.
Practice Proper Food Handling
Always use dedicated cutting boards, utensils and containers for raw meats to avoid cross contamination. Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling. Refrigerate unused portions immediately and freeze for later use.
Thaw frozen raw food in the fridge, never on the counter. Throw out ground meat after 2-3 days in the fridge. Following safe handling procedures prevents illness.
Options Beyond Plain Ground Beef
While fresh ground beef is convenient, consider mixing things up by incorporating:
- Canned sardines packed in water
- Raw meaty bones like chicken feet or turkey necks
- Beef or chicken livers for vitamin A
- Beef or lamb heart for taurine
- Eggs with shells for biotin
- Plain yogurt for probiotics
- Sardines or anchovies for omega-3s
- Occasional organ meats like kidney
Varying proteins and adding supplements ensures your dog gets a complete and balanced nutrient profile from their raw meaty bones and organ diet.
Signs Your Dog Needs Less or More Food
Pay attention to your dog’s body condition and energy levels to tailor their ground beef amounts accordingly. Signs your dog may need less food include:
- Weight gain or obesity
- Lethargy or inactivity
- Consistently leaving food in the bowl
Signs your dog may need more food include:
- Ribs or spine visibly protruding
- Aggressive about food or begs constantly
- Loss of muscle mass
- Low energy or stamina
Adjust food as needed to keep your dog at an optimal weight and health. Contact your vet if you have concerns.
Ask Your Veterinarian First
Before switching your dog to a raw ground beef diet, consult with your veterinarian, especially if your dog has any health conditions. They can advise you on proper ratios for a complete and balanced diet tailored to your dog. Sudden diet changes can trigger digestive problems in some dogs as well.
While raw diets have potential benefits, they also carry risks like nutritional imbalances or pathogens if not properly formulated and handled. Work with your vet to determine if a raw meat diet is appropriate for your pet.
When fed in moderation alongside other nutrient-dense foods, raw lean ground beef can provide great protein nutrition for most dogs. Use the general rule of 1/3 lb per 20 lbs of body weight, adjust for your dog’s activity level and caloric needs, and introduce raw diets gradually. This allows your dog to reap the benefits of raw beef safely. Consult your vet before transitioning your dog to any new diet.
Is Raw Beef Right For Your Dog?
Absolutely, dogs have forgiving digestive systems. Because their stomachs are more acidic and their intestines are shorter, they can easily eat raw meat that may contain salmonella or listeria spores. And don’t worry—some pathogens are normal. Remember, we’re talking real, whole, fresh food.
Because our digestive systems are more sensitive, those bacteria can really mess us up. That’s why we’re so careful about naturally occurring pathogens in our food.
Any dog who is immunocompromised should avoid raw meats. With a weakened immune system, their body isn’t functioning at 100%, making them more vulnerable to pathogen loads. To not deprive these pups entirely, you could cook the beef lightly or opt for a freeze-dried option.
What Makes Raw Beef a Good Choice?
Your dog, the carnivore, NEEDS meat to thrive.
Think about what dogs ate before they were members of the household. What did generations of animals eat when they roamed apart from us. Surely, they didn’t hunt wild kibble… No, a dog’s biology supports a carnivore’s diet.
Dogs share 99. 9% of the same DNA as the grey wolf. When we brought animals into our homes, we bred them for certain traits, like hunting or herding, and looks, like pugs. But we haven’t bred out their DNA.
The basic physiology, i. e. , their internal anatomy, has changed little since domestication, which also means their nutritional requirements haven’t changed.
Take a peek inside their mouths–
Large canines and pointed molars meant for ripping and tearing meat from the bone.
Little to no salivary amylase (the enzyme necessary for breaking down carbs) in their mouth.
High acidity levels in their stomach can handle the number of bacteria found in fresh prey.
With anatomy like that, a dog’s diet should match.
Of course, a diet low in carbohydrates, with no more than 25% of your daily calories coming from fruits, vegetables, seeds, and even small amounts of pre-digested grains
You should know a few things before you put a piece of raw beef in your meat eater’s bowl and call it dinner.
Feeding a Raw Diet for $1.20 Per Pound: Budget Carnivore Dog Food
FAQ
How much raw beef can I feed my dog?
Can I feed my dog raw ground beef every day?
How much ground beef can a dog eat per day?
How much raw meat should a 65 to 70 pound dog get daily?
How much ground beef should a dog eat a day?
You should feed your dog around 1/3 pound of ground beef per day for each 20 pound of the dog’s weight. How should I cook ground beef for my dog?
How much protein is there in 100 grams of lean beef?
For every 100g of lean meat, there is an average of 32g to 35g of protein, in addition we have 7g of lipids, 84mg of cholesterol and 4. 3g of saturated fat.
Can a dog eat raw ground beef?
The USDA states that the pathogens Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Listeria, and Staphylococcus aureus are all found in raw meat. To make sure they are eliminated, the ground beef needs to be cooked all the way through. A few more things to keep in mind when cooking ground beef for your dog: Pour off the excess fat drippings before feeding.
What kind of ground beef should a dog eat?
There are four common cuts of ground beef, with different levels of fat, including: The two types of ground beef best for most dogs are extra-lean and lean. Medium and regular beef are too high in fat to feed your dog regularly, but can be given as an occasional treat.