Grass-Fed Vs. Grain-Fed Beef: Health Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef for Dogs & Cats

What our pets eat is obviously important to their health. But the diet of the animals whose bodies were made into pet food is also important.

The ways in which the majority of cows are fed today have a major effect on the nutrient composition of the beef and the quality of raw pet food.

Today most cattle are raised in ‘factory farms’ where the feed consists of grain or corn by-products. And grain-fed beef poses health risks to dogs and cats.

On the other hand, the environmental setting of factory farming is far from ideal for providing healthy pet food. It's because the primary goal of factory farming is to bring the cows up to target weight as soon as possible so that they can be slaughtered and sold for profit.

However, the natural diet of cattle is much different.

Generally speaking, grass-fed cows eat mainly grass, while grain-fed cows mainly eat an unnatural diet based on corn, soy, etc. during the latter part of their lives.

Grass-fed Beef Benefits for Dogs and Cats

The species-appropriate diet of cattle is grass. And earlier in the history of livestock farming, cows roamed free and ate grass, not corn, soy, barley, other grains, or questionable feeds.

That said, here's why's grass-fed beef meat good and its importance for pets.

1. Important source of CLA

CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) is a very powerful fatty acid that reduces the risk of cancer, obesity, asthma, inflammation, diabetes, food-induced allergic reactions, and a number of immune disorders.

And some of the best possible sources of CLA are grass-fed beef and raw dairy products that come from grass-fed cattle. It's because the CLA content is 3 to 5 times greater than that sourced from grain-fed cattle.

2. Healthier ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids

In grass-fed cattle, the balance is very close to the ideal 2 to 1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats. Whereas grain-fed cattle have a different body composition.

Studies on grain-fed cattle found omega-6 to omega-3 fat ratios between 5 to 1 and 13 to 1. Far from the ideal ratio of 2 to 1! And this higher ratio influences the nutritional balance, affecting your pet's food and health.

The result of imbalanced fats in pet food leads to inflammation in the body. This can lead to temporary discomfort like itchiness to more serious matters like increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, allergies, depression, obesity, and autoimmune disorders as well.

That said, consuming the right quality, quantities, and balance of fats is important for your pet’s overall health.

3. Absence of toxins and higher quality

Livestock raised on factory farms may be exposed to heavy metals and pesticides from their grain-based diet. Sometimes hormones and antibiotics are even given to these animals. And inevitably, some of these toxins enter the food system when the animal is slaughtered.

That's why feeding meats that are hormone-free and antibiotic-free is a much better choice.

Also, there are many health problems associated with factory-farmed cattle. If you want to know more about this topic, check eatWILD.

4. High in beta carotene, vitamins B1, B2, and E

5. Lower in total fat but higher in total Omega-3s

6. High in calcium, magnesium, and potassium

Did you know this?

Beef labelled as ‘organic’ is not always grass-fed. Sometimes certified organic beef is misunderstood to be grass-fed; it is not necessarily so.

Beef products that are considered to be ‘organic’ can come from animals being fed organic grains, especially corn. Although organic grain-fed beef is an improvement, the quality will still be impacted by the points mentioned above.

So don’t be fooled, and know the source and quality of your ingredients!

Image Source: Planet Paws, Rodney Habib, Pet Nutrition Blogger

Quality is our #1 ingredient!

Furchild uses the finest, natural ingredients and we prepare them as per strict food safety standards.

And in both, our Meals for Dogs and Meals for Cats, we use grass-fed beef sourced responsibly from New Zealand and Australia. And we refuse to add any unhealthy ingredients.

Furthermore, all our organic vegetables and sustainably sourced ingredients are ‘human-grade’, meaning they are fit for humans as well. In contrast, many conventionally manufactured dog or cat food products are toxic to humans.

Thankfully, the days of feeding toxins and poor-quality pet food are finally over. And even if you're new to raw feeding or Furchild, try our Raw Starter Kit and get FREE personalised nutritional advice for your cats and dogs.