Precooked shredded beef for dog

[DebbieZ]

@Dr. Jeff would this precooked beef be considered on the Vitality Scale as fresh cooked? It says it is plain with nothing added and there are no antibiotics, no added growth hormones, no GMOs, and no animal mRNA vaccines and 100% grass-fed and grass-finished. Plain Slow Roasted Shredded Beef - 1 lb. | US Wellness Meats

This would allow me to not have to handle raw meat since I"m vegan. Would it be better than the deyhdrated Honest Kitchen? Feed in addition to sardines?

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Great question! I think I'd consider it a *little* step below fresh cooked because of the high cooking temperature used in canning. It would be less "vital" than lightly cooked (still pink, e.g.) beef at home. But it's not a bad option, and far better than kibble or even canned pet food, in which the ingredients themselves may be pre-cooked before canning. In your situation, it's quite a reasonable option.

I've also noticed at the grocery store there is also refrigerated plain shredded beef, and I think frozen is an option too and may be less "cremated" in the cooking process than canned. Canned beef is quite expensive (I keep some in the car for emergencies) so those may be good options too.

 

[DebbieZ]

Great question! I think I'd consider it a *little* step below fresh cooked because of the high cooking temperature used in canning. It would be less "vital" than lightly cooked (still pink, e.g.) beef at home. But it's not a bad option, and far better than kibble or even canned pet food, in which the ingredients themselves may be pre-cooked before canning. In your situation, it's quite a reasonable option.

I've also noticed at the grocery store there is also refrigerated plain shredded beef, and I think frozen is an option too and may be less "cremated" in the cooking process than canned. Canned beef is quite expensive (I keep some in the car for emergencies) so those may be good options too.

Thank you @Dr. Jean Hofve . This one I linked is frozen - they slow cook it and freeze it right away and ship it frozen. But it sounds like this is not any better on the Vitality scale than the Honest Kitchen dehydrated beef? I was trying to find a fresh already cooked option so I didn't have to handle raw meat.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hey Debbie!

Yes, the cooked beef is wonderful as part of the diet. And US Wellness sources good, clean meats for people and pets.

Yes, the cooked is a bit lower than raw, but still higher than HK (or any food that comes in a box, bag or can).

Perhaps try these lightly cooked and "balanced" dog foods:

Fresh Lightly Cooked for Dogs

Gently prepared using sous-vide cooking to preserve nutrients and enhance digestibility. Made with humanely raised meats and organic vegetables—never fillers or vitamin packs.

smallbatchpets.com

I love the Small Batch company and all of their products.

I currently their raw, lightly cooked and freeze dried foods and toppers in my house...