Updated: August 11, 2022 by Kristen Chapple
Beef is quite important for our diet and we have so many dishes with this type of meat, from simple burgers to very complex recipes that will make a special occasion more festive. The main part of a cat’s meal should always be meat but there are so many different choices out there and you have to ask yourself which one is the best? Also there are some types of meat that can pose problems for your furry friend so is beef one of them? Let us find together the answer to the question “can cats eat beef?”!
Nutritional Value
Rich in proteins and also a good source of minerals and vitamins, this is one of the best choices for us, and since we can have roasts, jerky, steaks or short ribs, we can try some different way of cooking it each time.
For cats, aside from the proteins, it is also a source of iron, manganese, zinc, selenium as well as vitamins A, C and B. Another really important element needed for cats is taurine and beef is an ideal source.
Best Form
Ground beef is the easiest to serve to your cat and it is also a cheaper option so that is the best choice but the liver will provide all the nutrition they need so take that into consideration as well. Cats can digest meat with ease since their gastrointestinal tract is adapted to this over a long period of time.
Raw meat poses some threats if not stored properly but there are many proponents who consider that form to be the best since it contains most nutrients. In the wild cats would eat raw meat, not cooked meat, but this needs to be really fresh.
For a safer approach it is better to cook your meat and a temperature of at least 145 degrees F for the meat or 165 degrees F for ground beef should be sufficient. Do not season the meat since too much salt will cause damage to a cat and also pay attention to other ingredients like garlic or onions because they are toxic for your pet.
Quantities
When you feed organs to your cat make sure you start with small quantities and don’t do it very often. Use it more as a treat. Even if we enumerated all the benefits of this meat for cats, moderation is still important. Too much beef can lead to problems with the digestion and the amounts of vitamin A from this meat can become toxic if they exceed the normal limit.
To talk in percents, if you ensure that around five percent of a cat’s total diet is made of beef liver then you are doing it right. Pay attention also to the fact that some of the cats might dislike this meat or even have allergies to it that can lead to vomiting or diarrhea so if you see these symptoms try to find other alternatives.
Short Answer:
Yes, it is really good for them but you shouldn’t make this the only food they eat.
