The simplest way to cook ground beef is to break it and then boil it until it is no longer pink. However, certain recipes can add more flavor and aroma to beef. For example, meatballs are one of the favorite foods of dogs and your pooch would start jumping upon seeing them. Keep reading to learn some delicious recipes to cook ground beef for dogs and learn about its benefits.
NOTE: If your dog is overweight, you can get rid of the excess fat before serving it to your dog.
How to Cook Chicken Liver for Dogs? Click here to learn more.
Benefits of Ground Beef for Dogs
A healthy diet is necessary for a healthy and happy pet. Balanced food not only provides your pet with enough energy for his daily activities, but it also keeps him/her young for a long time. Ground beef is high in protein and is full of nutrients to boost your dog’s diet. You can make it a part of your dog’s regular meal or add it as a booster topping.
Beef is also rich in omega-3 fats, vitamin E, beta-carotene, lutein, and other useful nutrients. All of them support the cell development and energy of your dog.
Cooking at home allows you to provide adequate quantities of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Similarly, homemade food is free from nasty tidbits that are present in many commercial foods. This includes heavy-metal contaminants, pesticides and herbicides, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Therefore, it’s best to cook ground beef (alongside other healthy ingredients) for your pooch.
Can I Give My Dog Ground Beef?
Beef is a healthy source of protein that supports your dog’s energy. It also provides essential fatty acids, like omega-6, along with multiple minerals and vitamins. All these nutrients assist your dog in maintaining a healthy coat, skin, joints, and muscles. In general, choosing a gaunt and unseasoned beef is indeed a healthier choice for your pup.
You can present the beef ground to your dog in different ways. Here are some ideas on which ground beef can be served for your dog.
- The main ingredient in canned or dry dog food.
- Topping to dog food.
- Unseasoned homemade meatballs can be used as a special treat. You can even cut up and add some parsley and other veggies for a natural breath freshener.
Does your dog love sweet potatoes? Check out our post “How to Cook Sweet Potatoes for Dogs”.
How Much Ground Beef Can I Give My Dog?
It can be a challenging task, especially for novice owners, to determine the right amount of beef for a dog. Excessive ground beef triggers weight gain and may upset your pooch’s stomach. On the other hand, too little of it can end up with insufficient nutrients in the body. Ground meat can be used as part of your dog’s regular diet as long as you know how much to deliver.
The amount of ground beef to feed your dog depends on its weight. The general rule is to feed them 2 to 3 percent of their total body weight per day. This means you should feed your dog around 1/3 pound of ground beef per day for every 20 pounds of his/her weight. You can also consult with your veterinarian to get a better estimate.
How to Cook Ground Beef for Dogs?
Ground beef is pocket friendly and very easy to find in any grocery store. It’s even very easy to prepare. Here are some recipes to cook ground beef for your dog.
NOTE: Always consult your vet before changing your dog’s diet to ensure proper nutrition.
Boiled Ground Beef
Boiled Ground Beef
This is the most simple and easiest recipe to prepare beef for your pup. However, you can’t use it regularly because it can cause nutritional deficiencies. Hence, you must add other ingredients to your dog’s diet to keep him/her healthy.
Ingredients
- Beef
- Water
Instructions
- Add the meat to a container filled with water and bring it to a boil.
- Turn down the heat and wait until the meat is no longer pink.
- Pour into a sifter to drain off the fat if your dog is overweight. Otherwise use the meat and its juices as well.
- Serve the beef to your pup.
Sauteed Ground Beef
Sauteed Ground Beef
This recipe offers a nice combination of meat and vegetables. It’s not only scrumptious but also beneficial for canines as they get a good dose of several essential nutrients.
Ingredients
- Beef
- Finely chopped carrot or any other vegetable of your choice
- Fresh chopped parsley
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Heat 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil in a pan.
- On medium flame, sauté the veggies for 2-3 minutes.
- Crumble in the beef and keep cooking until it's no longer pink (for about 5-7 minutes).
- Mix the vegetables and beef along with fresh parsley and let it cook on low heat for a few more minutes. Always ensure that there is a ratio of two tablespoons of vegetables to one cup of beef.
- Cool the food before serving it to your pooch.
Meatballs
Meatballs
This is the most favorite recipe of dogs and they would love to have meat in this form.
Ingredients
- ½ pound lean ground beef
- ½ pound ground sausage
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup oats
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Pour the milk over the oats in a small bowl and then set aside.
- Then, add the egg and Parmesan cheese to the lean ground beef and ground sausage.
- Mix these ingredients thoroughly.
- Once you are done with mixing, add the mixture to the oats and milk and mix it again.
- Start shaping up the mixture in the form of tiny balls until all the meat is used. You can refrigerate the mixture for approximately 20 minutes before shaping it up. It will help the meat to settle down and the meatballs will hold their shape.
- Now, bake the meatballs in the oven at 375o F for 20 minutes.
- Allow the meatballs to cool before giving them to your pooch.
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