All animals, including cats, need to have a balanced and varied diet in order to stay fit and healthy for as long as possible.
In this article, we’ll be discussing whether it’s a good idea to feed your feline friend beef and products containing beef. We’ll also look at why this may or may not be the case based on what the science says about a cat’s dietary needs.
So if this is something you’re curious about, read on and see what we have to say about cats and beef!
Can Cats Eat Beef?
The short answer is yes, they can eat beef. Cats can eat beef, and you will often find cat food that contains beef. But there are some things to consider before adding beef into their diets.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they must consume meat in order to survive. They cannot live without consuming animal protein because of the amino acids found in these foods.
While most people think of dogs as being carnivorous, cats actually require more protein than dogs do. This is because cats’ bodies create less muscle mass than dogs’.
So while dogs tend to grow larger than cats, cats actually have greater amounts of lean tissue. Lean tissue contains higher levels of protein than fat does.
That’s why cats need more protein than dogs do in order to maintain their body weight.
It’s important to note that cats don’t need all the same types of proteins that humans do. In fact, cats only require three main sources of protein: red meats (beef, pork, lamb), poultry (chicken, turkey) and fish.
All other forms of protein such as eggs, dairy, beans, nuts, seeds, and grains are not necessary for them.
It’s also worth noting that cats can get enough protein from different sources. For example, one pound of chicken provides approximately 20% of the daily recommended intake of protein for an adult cat.
One pound of beef provides approximately 15%. And one pound of fish provides approximately 16%.
This doesn’t mean that cats should never eat any type of meat. However, it does mean that they will benefit from eating a variety of different kinds of meat.
Why Do Cats Need Protein?
As mentioned above, cats are obligate carnivores. This means that they must consume animal protein in order to survive. The reason they need to consume protein is because of the amino acids that are found within it.
These amino acids help build muscles, repair damaged tissues and make enzymes. Without sufficient amounts of protein, cats would not be able to perform many of the functions that allow them to remain active and healthy.
Beef is high in protein, so it makes sense that cats would want to include it in their diets. But just like us, cats can become sick from too much protein.
As with humans, excess protein can cause kidney problems. It can also lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Cats who have been fed large quantities of high-protein food over time may develop fatty liver disease.
Can I Feed My Cat Raw Beef?
There are two ways that you can feed raw beef to your cat. You can either give her ground up beef or you can serve him/her cooked beef.
It’s best to avoid feeding your cat raw hamburger because it could contain harmful bacteria. If you choose to feed your cat ground beef, you should ensure that it has been properly cooked.
You might be wondering why you need to feed your cat cooked beef, since when cats are in the wild, they eat raw meat when hunting.
You would be right to think this way, as from a nutritional standpoint cats eating raw meat is completely fine.
However, there are a couple of things to consider if you’re thinking about feeding your cat a raw diet.
Bacteria
There is a mountain of evidence that proves raw meat can harbor some nasty bacteria, most notably Salmonella or E. Coli.
Both of these bacteria are very common in chicken and pork, and cause food poisoning symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting in humans.
However, a cat’s digestive system works much faster than humans, so these bacteria are flushed out before they can cause illness.
That being said, if your feline friend has a weakened immune system, feeding them a raw diet is likely to make them sick.
Bones
You might be considering feeding your cat bones if you’re thinking about a raw diet. Bones provide calcium and phosphorus, which are important nutrients for strong teeth and bones.
They also contain vitamin D, which helps maintain bone health.
Cats would chew bones in the wild, much like they would eat raw meat. There are a couple of things to bear in mind if you’re considering adding bones to their diet.
Unfortunately, bones can be dangerous for cats. They can break easily and splinter into sharp pieces.
It’s a rule of thumb that you should never give cooked bones to your cat. Cooked bones tend to be softer than uncooked, which makes them prone to splintering. This can cause huge problems for the cat’s digestive system.
Wrapping Up
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they must have some kind of animal based protein in their diet in order to stay healthy.
It’s reasonable to include beef in your cat’s diet. However, this inclusion should be no more than twice in a week.
Cat’s digestive systems can be sensitive. If you’re considering introducing them to beef, try offering them a small piece first, to make sure they enjoy it and don’t become unwell.
If you do decide to feed your cat beef, make sure that it’s well cooked and free of any harmful bacteria.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
