Can Cats Eat Beef? Cooked, Raw, Ground and Steak Explained

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Cats are obligate carnivores, so it is natural to wonder whether the beef in your fridge can go in the bowl. The short answer is yes, in small, plain portions. The longer answer is about preparation, fat, seasoning and how beef fits into a balanced diet.

Is beef good for cats?

Beef is an animal protein, and cats need animal protein. It contains iron, zinc, B vitamins and taurine, an amino acid cats must get from their food. Many commercial cat foods contain beef. See taurine: why cats need it. But a piece of steak is not a complete diet. Cats need a precise balance of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, and a diet of only meat leads to deficiencies, for example in calcium. Beef is a treat, not a meal.

Which beef is best?

• Cooked, lean cuts, such as sirloin, round or lean ground beef.
• Plain. No salt, pepper, garlic, onion, sauces, marinades or butter. See are onions and garlic toxic to cats.
• Cooked through, without charring.
• Cut into small, soft pieces, for easy chewing.
• Cooled, to a safe temperature.
• Drained, if ground, to remove fat.

What to avoid

• Fatty cuts and trimmings, which can upset the stomach, or trigger pancreatitis in susceptible cats. See pancreatitis in cats.
• Processed beef, such as jerky, corned beef, salami and hot dogs, which are high in salt and often contain onion, garlic and preservatives.
• Bones, cooked bones splinter. See can cats eat bones.
• Seasoned leftovers, such as meatloaf, or gravy.
• Spoiled meat.

Raw beef

Some owners feed raw meat, and some cats like it. Raw beef can carry Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria, which can make cats and people ill, particularly children, seniors and anyone with a weak immune system. If you want to feed raw, talk to your vet about safe handling, and complete, balanced recipes. See can cats eat raw meat and raw food diets for cats.

How much?

Treats should be less than about 10 percent of daily calories. For an average ten-pound cat, that might be a few small cubes, a teaspoon or two of ground beef. Offer it a few times a week at most. See how much should I feed my cat and healthy cat treats.

Beef allergy

Beef is one of the more common food allergens in cats. Signs include itching, skin problems, vomiting and diarrhea. If your cat reacts, stop feeding beef, and talk to your vet. See cat food allergies and sensitive stomachs.

Beef-flavored cat food

Cat food labeled beef flavor may contain little actual beef. Read the ingredient list. See how to read a cat food label.

Kittens and seniors

Kittens need a complete kitten diet, and can have tiny pieces of cooked beef as a rare treat. Seniors with kidney disease may need restricted protein and phosphorus, so ask your vet before giving meat extras. See best food for senior cats.

Cooking methods that work best

Boiling or baking plain beef keeps the fat low and avoids added oils. Pan frying in a dry, non-stick pan works for ground beef, as long as you drain the fat and let it cool. Avoid grilling with marinades or charcoal char. Cook to a safe internal temperature, since undercooked beef can carry bacteria. Once cooked, chill leftovers promptly, and use within a day or two. Never feed meat that has sat out for hours.

Beef organs and by-products

Beef liver and heart are nutrient-dense. Heart is a good source of taurine. Liver is rich in vitamin A, and too much can cause vitamin A toxicity over time, so feed it only in very small amounts and rarely. See can cats eat liver. Never feed raw organs without your vet's advice.

How beef compares with other meats

Chicken and turkey are leaner, and often easier for cats to digest. Beef is richer in iron and zinc. Pork is fattier. If your cat tolerates multiple proteins, variety is fine in treat form. If your cat has a sensitive stomach, choose one protein at a time and watch the response. See can cats eat chicken and can cats eat turkey.

Using beef to tempt a sick cat

A cat that refuses food may eat a little warmed, plain cooked beef. If your cat has not eaten for a day, do not rely on treats, and call your vet. See cat not eating: causes.

Quick checklist before you share

Is it plain? Is it cooked through? Is it cut small and cooled? Is it a few pieces, not a plate? If you can answer yes to each, a taste of beef is a reasonable treat. If any answer is no, put it back, and offer something else.

When to see a vet

See a vet if your cat vomits, has diarrhea or itchy skin after eating beef. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every cat is different. If your cat is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.