The rising demand for grass-fed beef has been a welcome development in the pet food industry. Recently, more and more pet owners have recognized the health benefits of feeding their furry friends with natural, nutrient-rich products.
Grass-fed beef offers many nutritional advantages to pet food manufacturers looking to produce high-quality products that meet the needs of today’s discerning consumers. Not only is it a great source of protein and essential fatty acids, but it is also one of the most sustainable animal proteins available on the market today.
Grass-fed beef: what is it?
Grass-fed beef is a type of beef that has been produced from cattle that are raised on predominantly grass-based diets. This type of beef differs from grain-fed varieties in that the animals, typically cows, are allowed to graze on natural forage and grasses for their entire lives rather than being fed grain or other high-energy supplements.
As a result, the beef and beef products, like bully stick chews, produced from grass-fed cows contain higher levels of beneficial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which are linked to improved heart health, inflammation reduction, and weight management.
So, where does it come from?
75 to 80 percent of the grass-fed beef sold in the United States is mainly from Australia, New Zealand, and portions of South America are imported, according to a 2017 Stone Barns analysis.
It’s not unexpected that these regions export a lot of grass-fed beef. Their extensive grasslands and warmer weather result in cattle with fewer inputs that can be bought for less money.
The shock sets in when customers buy meat marked “Product of the USA” and learn the cattle the steak came from never breathed American air.
COOL
Congress removed the obligatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) need on December 18th, 2015. Which required non-processed beef and pig that was sold at retail to specify where it was bred, grown, and killed.
The Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) act was a law passed that required retailers to label the origin of their beef and pork products clearly. This law was intended to give consumers more information about their food purchases and help them make more informed decisions about what they buy. However, the COOL act was repealed in 2015 due to pressure from the meat industry and foreign governments.
All this wouldn’t be an issue if consumers didn’t care where their beef came from. But today’s conscientious beef eaters DO care.
Those who buy grass-fed, grass-finished beef have a right to know the precise location. Also, methods of production. Due to COOL’s repeal, beef farmers are now responsible for disseminating this information.
Grass Fed, Grass Finished Beef is superior
Grass-fed, grass-finished beef is an excellent source of nutrition for pets and has many benefits over traditional grain-fed beef.
The major benefit is that grass-fed, grass-finished beef contains higher levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients that are linked to improved heart health, reduced inflammation, and better weight management.
Additionally, grass-fed beef is generally more sustainable as it does not require feedlots or high-energy supplements to produce a high-quality product. As a result, grass-fed, grass-finished beef is becoming an increasingly popular choice for pet owners looking to provide their furry friends with nutrient-rich diets that promote overall health and well-being.
Ultimately, with the rise of consumer interest in grass-fed, grass-finished beef, there is a growing demand for pet food manufacturers to produce high-quality products made from these healthier ingredients. By doing so, they can help ensure that pet owners can provide their pets with nutrient-dense chews and other products.
Barking Buddha only uses Grass-Fed Beef sources for their natural chews. Shop the full line today.
Sustainable Animal Production on Pasture
Animal production on pasture is an increasingly common sustainable farming practice that benefits the environment and the animals involved. When done properly, it has the potential to provide farmers with a high-quality, natural product while minimizing environmental impact.
Pasture-based animal production allows animals to graze on naturally occurring forages for most or all of their nutritional needs. This type of animal production uses fewer resources than grain-based farming and is more closely aligned with the animals’ natural feeding habits, resulting in healthier and higher-quality products.
However, the expense is higher because it takes more time and resources to raise animals on pasture. Although the price is higher, it is a long-term investment in a food system. That is better for the environment, your dog, and yourself.
Is Your Dog Consuming Meat From Factory Farms?
The pet industry has seen an increased focus on sourcing high-quality, sustainable meat for its products. Consumers demand greater transparency regarding where and how the animals used to produce pet food and other products are being raised. The use of factory-farmed meat in pet products is becoming increasingly unpopular due to its potential to be nutritionally inferior and to cause environmental damage.
To ensure that your pet is consuming high-quality, sustainable meat, research the companies you are buying from and look for those who use grass-fed beef. Choosing products made with grass-fed beef means that your dog will receive higher levels of beneficial fats, antioxidants, and other nutrients linked to improved heart health, reduced inflammation, and better weight management.
Finding Pasture-raised, Grass-Fed, and Dairy Products
Doing some research is necessary to find better items for your dog. At Barking Buddha, we proudly source only grass-fed beef for our natural chews. We understand the importance of providing your pet with high-quality products from sustainable sources, and we stand behind all of our products.
Shop now and let your dog taste the difference.
Is Grass-Fed Meat Costlier Than Regular Meat?
The more expense helps producers rear animals ethically, the environment, and your dog. However, due to the actual labor costs, environmental stewardship and animal welfare prices do reflect that with a higher price tag.
Of course, the cost to raise an animal increases with its size, such as with cows. Grass-fed meat raised on pasture costs 33% more than industrial beef, while pastured poultry costs four times as much. But over time, it leads to greater health and fewer inflammatory diseases.
And isn’t it a little thing to pay to know what’s in and where your dog’s meat comes from?