Cooked Ground Beef Mixed in Dog Food

Dog owners today face a dizzying array of choices when considering what to feed their pets. Where previously the decisions were fairly simple -- wet versus dry food, for example -- there are now dozens of options. Overwhelmed by the choice of flavored, textured, organically prepared, weight loss, vitamin-enriched and age-specific varieties, pet owners may choose to feed their dog people food. Ground beef is one food considered acceptable, as long as it is lean, well-cooked and not the only food the dog receives.

  1. Deciding What to Feed Your Dog

    • Ask a veterinarian for expert advice. She may have studies comparing the benefits and shortcomings of various feeding options for you to consider. Ask her specifically about whether it is good for your breed of dog to receive ground beef mixed into his dog food. Dog breeders may be knowledgeable about what foods seem most healthy for your specific breed of dog. Friends and neighbors may also have ideas about what has worked with their pets.

    Dog Food or People Food?

    • Some television ads might give you the idea that people are home making gourmet meals for their pets. However, the huge range of dog food choices at the grocery store or pet store indicate many of us still choose prepared food. For people choosing human food, beef has long been a main choice. Dogs often receive raw beef mixed in with dry dog food. Some dogs get beef as part of their owners' leftovers after a meal, so it might be mixed with gravy, pasta, potatoes or vegetables. Since ground beef is a staple in many homes, dog owners often cook more than is needed for the family meal and add some to the dog's dish as a supplement to commercial dog food.

    Dog Food Health Scares

    • In 2007, contaminated pet food from overseas caused the death and illness of dogs in the United States, according to a report by The Today Show. In response, some pet owners switched to serving their dogs only human food they had prepared themselves. Beef and chicken are often part of these meals because they are good sources of protein. The owners also include vegetables, rice and sometimes even vitamin supplements in an effort to ensure their dogs get the nutrients they need. Ground beef is often one of the least expensive and easy-to-prepare varieties of beef, so many "make-your-own-dog food" recipes have ground beef as a base.

    Cook the Meat for Your Dog's Safety

    • Veterinarians generally recommend using only beef that is low in fat, free of seasonings and beef that is cooked well. The advice for dogs eating things low in fat is much as it is for humans -- it is much healthier to avoid excess fat in the system. Avoiding seasonings helps prevent stomach upset in the dogs. Finally, the increased understanding about possible health dangers posed by uncooked meat has prompted people to cook beef before giving it to dogs. Mixing cooked ground beef with a recognized healthy dog food provides a good balance for owners wishing to occasionally give their dogs fresh meat.